Our bodies are amazing in the way they adapt and adjust as the seasons change. We have to adapt our clothing and the food we eat and prepare our environment for us to survive. The same is true of our home as well. We need to make sure that our home can adapt and adjust to prolong its lifespan in every season. We should not just wait for a home inspector to check our house, we are responsible for keeping our own homes in good shape.
Just like a health checkup, regular maintenance will keep your home functioning properly and safe to live in. Different season requires a different maintenance strategy. It is good to make a list of maintenance that needs to be done during each season.
Having a checklist will make it easier to track that everything has been checked and prepared for the season. Dividing the needed maintenance into small portions will help you save on the cost of repairs. Minor frequent maintenance is better than having to pay for an expensive major repair just because you ignored signs of problems.
Home Improvement Checklist for Every Month
Home Improvement Checklist for every Month
A checklist for your monthly projects is essential in helping you manage maintenance with ease. It will prevent you from forgetting to fix minor issues before they become a future headache. To save time and money, follow this checklist for your monthly maintenance:
- Electrical cords need to be inspected for any damages.
- Check that your detectors are functioning well – carbon monoxide detectors, ground-fault circuit interrupters, and smoke alarms.
- Remove accumulated sediment from the water heater by flushing it out.
- Grind ice cubes, then flush them with hot water and baking soda to clean up your garbage disposal.
- Heat vents and heat registers need to be cleaned with a vacuum.
- Clean out your sink drains and tub drains if necessary.
- Remove anything that blocks your indoor and outdoor vents.
- Mineral deposits from showerheads should be removed.
- You must clear dust build-up from the furnace filter to improve temperature regulation.
Maintenance Checklist for all Seasons
FALL
Depending on where in the country you live, this could be an ideal time for indoor and outdoor projects since you usually won’t need to face the extremes in weather and temperature that can come up other times of the year. Check around and see if any issues need to be repaired by a professional before doing the tasks you can do on your own. Here’s your maintenance checklist for this season:
- Check for loose and damaged siding that needs repair or replacement.
- Inspect the water heater for any signs of leakage.
- Clean the screen doors around your home.
- Do a deep cleaning of your carpets.
- Clean out your dryer vent. You might need a vacuum attachment to get the vent completely cleaned out.
- Besides storing hoses, they should also be drained. This includes the in-ground sprinkler systems.
- Wires and cords need to be checked for any wear and tear.
- If your garage isn’t heated, you should wrap outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation.
- Your fireplace should be inspected.
- Door handles and locks need to be checked.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all floors and replace batteries if needed.
- Check if major appliances still are in good shape.
- Your gutters and downspouts need to be cleared.
- Exterior plumbing needs to be drained.
- Check the roof for any damages and leaks.
- Clean your windows and sidings using a power washer.
- Rake the leaves and mow your lawn.
- Driveway/walkway cracks and gaps need to be filled.
- Upgrade to more energy-efficient windows.
- Re-paint exterior sidings if necessary.
- Seal any gaps and cracks in the envelope of your home.
WINTER
In many parts of the country, winter is a season that you have to prepare for since below-zero temperatures or even a blizzard can cause severe damage to your property. There are ways to avoid serious damage by following this maintenance checklist:
- Your dishwashers, showers, and tub drains need to be cleaned.
- The exhaust fan grill in your bathroom needs to be vacuumed.
- Clean up your refrigerator and freezer coils using a vacuum and empty the drip trays.
- Your basement needs to be checked for leaks. With changing temperatures, these can be aggravated.
- Check your downspouts, gutters, and roof for any damages after storms.
- Put covers on your air-conditioning unit.
SPRING
After the ground has defrosted, you will begin to see green to spring again. It is time to recheck your home if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. Here’s a list of maintenance tips you need to consider during the spring season:
- Drain your water heater
- Dust your light fixtures and polish your wood furniture.
- Make sure that your lawn is fertilized.
- Clean your dryer lint using a vacuum.
- Check your chimney for damages.
- The pump and septic tank need to be checked by a professional.
- Check the caulking in your shower and sinks.
- Leaves need to be removed from downspouts and gutters.
- Window sidings need to be power-washed.
- Try to re-finish your deck.
- The Air-conditioner filter needs to be changed. It might be a good idea to have the unit serviced as well.
- Check sprinkler heads and remove insulation from your outdoor faucets.
- Repair doors, windows, and mechanicals.
- Time to replace batteries in your detectors.
SUMMER
If the area you live in has very hot weather in the summer, you should keep mostly to indoor tasks:
- Check for leaks in your dishwasher.
- Your exhaust fan filter in the kitchen needs to be cleaned.
- Trees and shrubs need to be trimmed.
- Tile grouts need to be sealed.
- Replace showerhead washers and exterior faucets if required.
- Time to clean drip trays of your refrigerator and freezer.
- Washer hoses and dryer vents need to be cleaned.
- Check for leaks in your kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
- Put oil on door hinges, garage door, and chains.
While this checklist is far from exhaustive, you can use it as a foundation for your own, personalized checklist. Keeping up with maintenance doesn’t have to be a very time-consuming chore. By dividing up big jobs into small tasks, and by keeping ahead of any issues, you will find that home maintenance can be very rewarding while also saving you a lot of money.
Some other articles that you might find interesting are What are the Most Common Home Safety Hazards? and 15 Ways To Protect Your Home From Burglars.