Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Hi friends – so glad you’re here!

We all know what’s coming…just ask Ned.

As soon as those temperatures start to drop, I know it’s time to text my clients and remind them what they need to do to prep their home for the cold weather. Skipping recommended maintenance on your home can, worst case scenario, lead to costly disasters. Aside from mayhem, though, it’s so important to keep up with maintenance if you think you might EVER sell your home. Being able to provide this checklist to the next Buyer of your home will not only show them how well you cared for it, but will give them the tools to do the same thing, and carry on loving and caring for your home.

No, I’m not going to pretend that home maintenance is fun, and I’m not going to give you tips to make it fun. However – it’s also not that hard. Buck up, buttercup, we’re gonna get down to business. When you sit and look at the list of things that need to be done to your home regularly, it can feel so overwhelming. What you need is a woman with a severely type A personality who gets joy out of making lists and whose top source of merry-making is organization. You need me.

Below is the maintenance checklist I use on my own home. You can save this link to reference later, print it out and stick it on your fridge, or if you’re an avid Google Calendar user, you can do what I do – schedule all of these tasks as “reminders” in your calendar to get notifications on your phone (or to send notifications to your fiance’s phone 😉) when it’s time to take care of business.

**Most of these tasks can be accomplished without help from a professional. However, it’s always better to be safe and call for assistance if you feel something may be beyond your abilities. If you need a referral to a local, qualified professional, feel free to shoot me an email or a text so I can point you in the right direction.

Monthly Checklist

Clean/Replace furnace filter
Check water softener and replenish salt, if necessary
Clean faucet aerator and shower heads to remove mineral deposits
Inspect electrical cords for wear
Inspect tub and sink drains for debris, unclog if necessary
Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and all GFCI
Vacuum heat registers and vents
Deep clean carpets
Clean windows and door screens
Confirm that indoor and outdoor vents are not blocked
Flush out hot water from water heater to flush out accumulated sediment
Clean out the garbage disposal by grinding up ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda

Autumn Checklist

Rake leaves and aerate lawn
Have the HVAC inspected by a professional before “heater season” begins
If you have a fireplace, check it for damage or hazards and clean the flues
Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping ; replace if necessary
Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint
Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks
Power wash exterior
Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts
Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway
Drain and winterize exterior plumbing
Tune up home appliances
Inspect siding to see if any repairs or replacements are needed
Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Please make sure there is a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement
Vacuum lint from the dryer vent
Inspect door hardware ; fix squeaky handles, loose locks, etc
Drain and store hoses ; drain in-ground sprinkler systems
Wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages
Check water heater for leaks

Winter Checklist

Cover your AC unit
Check basement for leaks during thaws
Inspect the roof, gutters, and downspout for damage after any storms
Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill
Vacuum refrigerator freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays
Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers
Store outdoor furniture
Change the direction of your ceiling fans
Test the sump pump
Pick up winter storm supplies from the local hardware store. Things like batteries, ice melt, snow shovel, etc.

Spring Checklist

Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks
Clean windows and door screens
Polish wood furniture, hardware, and fixtures
Refinish the deck
Power wash exterior
Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts
Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank
Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking for deterioration
Vacuum lint from dryer vent
Inspect chimney for any damage
Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanicals
Remove the insulation from outdoor faucets and check sprinkler heads
Have HVAC serviced
Drain or flush water heater
Fertilize your lawn
Touch up exterior and interior paint
Spruce up any outdoor spaces
We all know spring is for cleaning – declutter your home and garage

Summer Checklist

Oil garage door opener and chain, garage door, and all door hinges
Remove lint from inside and outside washer hoses and dryer vents
Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter
Clean refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays
Check dishwasher, around kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and around toilets for leaks
Replace interior and exterior faucet and shower head washers, if needed
Seal tile grout
Prune trees and shrubs