Home Maintenance Checklist

Do You Have a Plan for Seasonal Home Maintenance?

Your home may be the biggest investment you will ever make. Taking good care of it with regular maintenance is necessary to preserve its value and ensure it will provide a comfortable, safe shelter for you and your family for years to come.

Inspect your home – inside and outside – regularly. Making minor, routine repairs helps to prolong the life of the home and may prevent the need for major repairs. Scheduling inspections also help you plan and save for major improvements.

Following a home maintenance checklist is a great way to ensure your property stays in tip-top shape, and dividing your maintenance tasks by season can help spread out costs and keep things more manageable so you don’t get overwhelmed. Keeping a log is a great tool for homeowners to have. Make a list of the items in your home, noting the year they were installed and any warranties on them, as well as record repairs, issues, money spent, and contact information for any contractors you may use. A home maintenance log can also be super useful if you decide to sell your home. It’s an unexpected gift to your buyers, one that may boost their confidence in the home and help them decide to buy it.

Here’s a handy home maintenance checklist of tasks for each season:

Spring

Schedule an appointment to have air conditioner inspected
Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (not needed in 10 year versions) and test them.
Inspect caulk in kitchen and bathrooms- re-caulk where needed
Clean behind fridge and vacuum coils in back
Clear lint and debris from hoses behind washer and dryer
Clean dryer lint from vent and exhaust duct
Clean kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
Check sump pump
Inspect attic for signs of leaks or pests
Inspect roof for damage
Clean out gutters
Inspect wood and siding on exterior of house/garage. Touch-up paint, repair wood, or re-nail loose siding or trim.
Inspect siding/masonry. Make repairs and re-caulk around windows and doors as needed.
Remove and store storm windows, and install screens. (if applicable)
Inspect and repair deck and fence
Inspect outdoor play equipment for safety issues
Open interior valves supplying outdoor water pipes
Inspect and service summer yard equipment (lawn mowers etc.)
Rake away old mulch and leaves
Clean flower beds out
Trim trees, bushes and shrubs- Spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned after they’ve bloomed.

Summer

Test GFCI outlets
Reverse ceiling fans- run counter-clockwise for summer
Inspect all drains for leaks
Inspect foundation for drainage issues
Inspect basement and/or crawl space for moisture issues
Add copper sulfate to basement floor drain and downspout drains to control tree roots in main sewer
Inspect inside and outside for insect activity from termites, ants, carpenter bees, wasps, etc.
Wash windows inside and out
Power wash siding, driveways and walkways
Cut back vegetation
Trim tree branches, prune shrubs- Summer-flowering shrubs should be pruned before they’ve bloomed.

Fall

Schedule an annual furnace inspection or perform the inspection yourself
Drain the sediment from hot water heater. If you have a tankless hot water heater, flush the sediment from the lines.
Shut off interior valves supplying outdoor water pipes to prevent them from freezing. Store hoses for the season.
Insulate all exposed pipes
Cover air conditioning unit
Remove or cover window air conditioning units
Schedule a chimney inspection/cleaning – Yearly for wood burning & every 5 years for gas.
Patch and seal driveway (asphalt or concrete), and concrete steps/ landings.
Remove and store window screens; install storm windows. (if applicable)
Inspect the caulk around all windows and doors; re-caulk as needed
Inspect roof for damage
Clean out gutters
Prune bushes, trees, and shrubs (except spring-flowering shrubs)
Rake and dispose leaves
Inspect your deck for any nails or screws that have worked their way out
Clean outdoor furniture and cover or store for the season
Reverse ceiling fans- run clockwise for Fall/Winter

Winter

Inspect and service winter snow equipment
Stock up on sidewalk salt and ice melt
Replace furnace filters monthly in winter
Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (not needed in 10 year versions) and test them.
Check windows and doors for drafts
Check the basement for leaks during thaws
Check sump pump
Inspect the roof, gutters, and downspouts for damage after storms
Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill
Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays
Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers
Check and re-grout tile in all bath and kitchen areas, as needed, and apply a silicone sealer
Repair any interior wall damage; touch up or repaint as needed.

The cost of maintenance can add up quickly if you’re unprepared; a savings plan will help you avoid going into debt from unexpected home repairs. The rule of thumb is to set aside 1 to 4 percent of your home’s value every year for home maintenance, which includes both repair and replacement costs. Once a baseline amount to set aside for repairs is established, it’s a good idea to consider the age of the home and the condition of systems in your home. You many also want to consider increasing the amount you save to cover any emergencies. A home warranty policy may be worth exploring and can help save on the cost of maintenance, repairs, and replacement on major systems and appliances in your home.