The biggest investment that most people make is the purchase of a home. Maintaining your home is crucial to keeping its value where it should be. It also goes a long way in helping your family enjoy all that your home has to offer. With a little planning, home maintenance does not have to be overwhelming.
The checklists below will guide you through each season. Simply pull out the list when the seasons change, do what you need to, and your home should stay in good condition.
Summer Home Maintenance
Summer is a great time for home maintenance. The days are long and you can get a lot done. That’s good because there is a lot to do!
* Inspect the hoses on your dishwasher, washer, and refrigerator. If they are showing signs of wear or if they are leaky, replace them.
* Clean your porches and decks. Check for any repair work that may need to be done on your porch or deck. This can include missing nails, rusted hardware or warped boards. If you have a wooden deck, now is the time to seal it.
* Check all of the stair railings inside and outside of your home. If they are rickety or wobbly, repair or replace them as needed.
* Check your clothes dryer vent and clear it of any lint buildup.
* Service your heating system or furnace.
* Check your attic vents to ensure that they are working properly.
* Inspect the interior of your home for peeling paint or wallpaper.
* If you have any fences or gates on your property, now is the time to inspect and repair them if needed.
* Schedule a time to have your septic tank pumped if you have not done so in last twelve months.
* Check all windows and doors. You should also check the locks. Make sure everything is in good working order. For windows or sliding doors that stick, clean and lubricate the tracks and hinges. If you need to get extra keys to your locks, now is the time to do it.
* If you need any extra attic insulation, you should schedule it now.
* If you have pests, schedule an exterminator to come out.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Many people love to do home maintenance in the fall. The weather is cool and crisp and you can sense the change of the season all around you. This motivates many people to get on the ball and get to work.
* If you have a sump pump, you should have it tested.
* Trim any tree branches which pose a risk to your home.
* Wash your windows than install your storm windows.
* Have your air conditioner serviced.
* Clean your smoke detector and replace the batteries.
* Check your roof for loose or missing shingles.
* Inspect the flashing that is around your chimney.
* Close your crawl space vents.
* Clean your garage and store any flammables in an outside storage shed.
* Check your garage door to see if it needs any work. Look for peeling paint or garage door tracks that need to be lubricated.
* Drain your hot water heater. Flush and refill it.
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Winter is a wonderful time to do all of those indoor home maintenance projects that get overlooked throughout the rest of the year.
* Check your toilets and sinks. Make sure they are firmly secured. Caulk around them if it is necessary.
* Check for any missing or loose ceramic tile in your home. Repair grout if needed.
* Check your linoleum for peeling. Repair or replace as needed.
* Tighten the screws on your cabinets, drawers, doors, and knobs. Replace any missing knobs.
* Check your carpeting. If it needs stretched or replaced, now is the time to do it.
Spring Home Maintenance
With the cold weather behind you, spring is time to go outside and see to your home. How did it handle the winter? Fix and repair what is needed and get things ready for the heat of summer.
* Check your basement area for any leaks or cracks. These could allow moisture to get into your home and moisture can cause mildew and fungus to grow. Seal any cracks you find or call a professional if you have extensive water damage.
* Clean your smoke alarms and replace the batteries.
* Clean debris from your gutters and downspouts. Check your gutters and downspouts for leaks. Make sure your gutters are secure and that they do not wobble.
* Investigate your roof to see if it needs any repair work. This includes checking for missing, loose or damaged shingles and checking for any open seams, bald areas or blisters on flat roofs.
* Clean your gutters, strainers and downspouts. Check your attic for any signs that water has penetrated it. Trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. Check antenna supports for possible leak sources.
* Clean out your fireplace and schedule a time for a professional to do a thorough chimney cleaning.
* If you have storm windows, now is the time to remove them. When you remove them, you should inspect each one for damage and clean them before you store them away.
* Check around your windows and doors to see if your weather stripping is in good condition.
* Caulk around windows and doors where it is needed.
* Check to see if your exterior paint is peeling or cracking. Repaint if necessary.
* Inspect your brick for cracks and loose or deteriorated mortar.
* Check your window screens to see if they are in good condition. Patch or replace them as needed.
* Replace your air conditioner’s filter.
* Inspect your appliances. Make sure the seals on your freezer and refrigerator are in good condition. Clean your refrigerator’s coils. Check your stove and oven burners or heating elements to make sure they are in good working condition.
* If you have a furnace, replace or clean the filter.
* Check all your faucets inside and outside for leaks.
* Open your crawl space vents.
* Check your sprinkler systems.
Staying on top of your home maintenance is a big job! Just as one season comes to an end, another begins. Get organized with these checklists and your home maintenance should never get the best of you.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on home maintenance, take a look at the following books:
Home Maintenance For Dummies
The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair
Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement
How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding & Maintaining Your Home
How to Repair, Clean, and Maintain Anything and Everything In and Around Your Home
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