Being a homeowner is a big responsibility, but by properly maintaining your home throughout the year you can avoid costly repairs. Keep your home in prime condition by following these seasonal home maintenance checklists. Some of these tasks are potentially dangerous, so consider hiring a professional.
Quarterly tasks
Testing your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide every three months is an easy—but very important—task. Press the test button on the top of the detector. If the alarm sounds, you’re good to go; if not, replace the batteries and try again. If it still doesn’t sound, you may need a new detector.
- Smoke Detectors – Ideally, you should install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Many home insurance carriers offer special discounts if you install smoke detectors.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Similar to a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector can be a vital, life-saving tool. If an odorless, deadly gas builds up in your home, these detectors will give you and your family time to escape.
Biannual tasks
Here are some tasks that you should address twice a year.
Change Batteries in Detectors
Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors every six months. With something as important as this, you can’t be too careful, and batteries don’t cost much. Any detector more than ten years old should be replaced entirely.
Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters and downspouts play a huge role in protecting your home from various types of damage. Clogged gutters can lead to leaky roofs, cracked foundations, unwanted pests and even dangerous mold growth. For these reasons, you should hire a professional to remove leaves and debris from your gutters every six months.
Check Your Foundation
A solid foundation is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of your home. That’s why it’s important to check your foundation at least twice a year. Here are some things to look for:
| What to Look For | Potential Danger |
| Cracks, gaps or holes in the foundation | Groundwater, insects and radon gas may enter your home |
| Cracks in your home’s ceiling, walls or floors | Your foundation may be shifting |
| Uneven or sloping floors | Your foundation may be shifting |
| Windows or doors that don’t open or close properly | Your foundation may be shifting |
Although you may want to fix these issues yourself, it’s best to hire a foundation service expert.
Spring home maintenance checklist
The winter months can be tough on your home—both inside and out. After the ground has thawed, complete these seasonal spring tasks to maintain your property.
Clean Your Appliances
A well-maintained appliance can run well for years. The best way to keep the repairman away is to clean your appliances thoroughly each spring. Or if you prefer, you can always hire a service technician to do the job.
- Air conditioning unit
- Kitchen and bathroom fans
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Washer and dryer
Check Your Attic and Basement
Your attic and basement are both important parts of your spring home maintenance checklist. Make sure that water isn’t entering either place, as leaks could lead to costly repairs. Look for any signs of critters, too.
Examine Your Windows
As you’re swapping your storm windows for screens, be sure to inspect any wood trim or sills for signs of decay. Check the caulking around your windows annually too. If you see gaps or cracking, apply a new bead.
Inspect Your Roof
Hire a licensed roofing contractor to conduct a roof inspection each spring. They’ll check your roof for any damage done by falling tree limbs and other hazards. A tiny leak can become a costly repair down the road, so be sure to replace any damaged shingles right away.
- Missing, torn or deteriorating shingles
- Missing caulking around roof vents and pipes
- Damaged or rusted flashing
- Wood damage or dry rot
- Rusted, damaged or loose gutters
- Cracked or worn chimneys
Ask your roofing contractor to examine the exterior of the chimney, too. If there’s damage, it should be repaired right away. You may also want to hire a certified chimney sweep to clean your chimney’s flue.
Check for Termite Damage
Look for termite damage around your home’s wooden sill plate every spring. On most homes, the sill plate anchors the house to the foundation. If it shows signs of damage, call a licensed exterminator right away.
Maintain Your Lawn
A beautiful front lawn is one of the best ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal. Check your lawn equipment to make sure it’s ready for summer use. Sharpen any cutting tools and test your outdoor water spigots and garden hoses for leaks.
Summer home maintenance checklist
Complete these summer maintenance tasks to get your home ready for the extreme heat ahead.
Get Rid of Pests
If you have mice, squirrels or other critters living in your home, call a pest control professional right away. The best way to prevent them from entering your home in the first place is to eliminate food sources and seal up any openings.
| Beehives Bees should be left alone, if possible. However, if a beehive forms on or near your home, you should call a professional beekeeper. They’ll relocate the hive and save you from getting stung. |
Prep Your Grill
Before you fire up your grill, be sure to remove any grease buildup and splatters. If you own a gas grill, remember to check for punctures in the fuel line. When you’re ready to cook, be sure your grill is at least ten feet away from your home. Read more grilling tips.
Adjust Your Ceiling Fans
An energy-efficient ceiling fan can save you money on your home’s electric bill. During the summer, the blades should blow the air down to keep your home cool. Rotate the direction of the blades by flipping the switch on the side of the fan.
Keep Your Pool Safe and Swimmable
Without regular maintenance, your swimming pool can become smelly and dirty—so be sure to clean it thoroughly. Remember that your pool should be enclosed by a locked fence, too.
- Clean the water
- Scrub the walls
- Check the filters
- Clear around the pool
- Keep your pool safe
Inspect Your Fencing
Check your fence for any loose nails, screws or bolts. Make sure the gate is properly aligned and all latches and locks work properly. If your fence is designed to keep pets inside, look below the fence for any holes they can squeeze through.
Look for Cracks in Your Driveway
Over time, your driveway can form cracks, which can eventually lead to larger potholes. Repairing small cracks is easy enough; just use a tube of crack filler. If your driveway is covered with cracks, you may want to resurface it completely.
Fall home maintenance checklist
Follow this fall home maintenance checklist to prepare your house and yard for cooler temperatures.
Seal Your Home
Walk around your home and seal up any gaps around your windows and doors with caulk or weather-stripping. You should also check your basement and attic for exposed pipes. If you find one, wrap it in insulation.
Service Your Heating System
Most experts recommend that you schedule an inspection of your heating system each fall—just before the weather turns cold. Whether you have a furnace, boiler or heat pump, a service technician will make sure it’s functioning properly so you can stay warm and save on energy costs.
Drain Outdoor Watering Pipes
Before the winter months close in, find the valve that controls the water leading to the outdoor faucet or spigot and turn the water off. Then disconnect any hoses and drain the outdoor spigots so there’s no water left in the line. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, remember to drain that, too.
Winterize Outdoor Equipment
Harsh winter weather can wreak havoc on outdoor tools and furniture, such as snow blowers, lawnmowers, gas grills and patio furniture. Give them a good cleaning and then store them in a shed or garage until spring.
Shut Down Your Pool
Closing a swimming pool each fall is essential to maintaining its overall health and longevity. Remove any debris from the surface of the water, scrub the pool walls with a brush, then clean out the pool skimmer baskets. Lay a pool cover over the water if you have one.
Winter home maintenance checklist
No one likes expensive repair bills—especially in the winter. Use this winter home maintenance checklist to keep your home warm and cozy as the mercury plummets.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Water pipes can freeze during harsh temperatures, causing serious damage to your home. Fortunately, they’re avoidable. Read these tips to learn how to prevent frozen pipes.
Avoid Ice Dams
Heavy snowfall followed by a period of freezing temperatures can lead to ice dams at the edge of your roof. The good news is that you can avoid them by following these steps.
Test Your Sump Pump
It’s a smart idea to test your pump before the winter snow starts flying—and melting. After all, it’s the last line of defense against a flooded basement.
How to Test a Sump Pump
Secure Walkways and Steps
Keep all outdoor staircases and walking paths around your home clear of snow and ice. While you’re at it, make sure the railings around your steps are secure. If someone slips and lunges for the railing, you want it to be sturdy.
Stock Up on Supplies
You should prepare for a snowstorm the same way you would prepare for a hurricane. Here are some things to stock up on in case the power goes out and you’re stuck inside:
- Water
- Blankets
- Non-perishable food
- First-aid kit
- Sidewalk salt
- Flashlight and batteries
- Gasoline
- Medicine
- Cell phone and charger
Safely Hang Holiday Lights
Hanging outdoor lights is a fun annual tradition, but it can also be dangerous. Make sure your light displays have tight connections and are labeled for outdoor use only. In addition, remember to unplug your lights before going to bed.
Summary
If you’re like most homeowners, your home is your most valuable asset. It only makes sense then to maintain it year-round. Checking on your home’s structure, interior systems and surrounding property will save you money and keep your home looking its best.
While you’re tending to your home, make sure you have adequate limits on your homeowners or condo insurance.
