Owning a home comes with big responsibilities that you shouldn’t ignore. Most homeowners handle maintenance when something goes wrong, which is irresponsible. Making a home maintenance checklist helps with regular home care, thus avoiding surprises.
Household expenditure on maintenance is set to rise by 3% in 2021-22, but seasonal repairs lower such costs. Your home is your most significant investment, so maintenance through the seasons is a must. Different seasons present unique challenges, and a checklist helps navigate them with ease.
The home maintenance checklist compiles to-do tasks organized in priority for each season. Following through with the list ensures critical areas of your home aren’t neglected. As a result, a home maintenance checklist eliminates service delays.
Want to keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the year? Here’s a great home maintenance checklist for every season.
Summer
Higher temperatures and lower precipitation characterize summer. Such weather affords comfortable working conditions which are suitable for intensive repairs. If you’re worried about working under the harsh sun, some tasks on the checklist require minimal time.
Here’s what to include in your summer home maintenance checklist.
Clean Out Patio
The harsh outdoor elements your patio and deck are exposed to make them look old and worn down. A pressure washing service is a perfect solution for cleaning out the patio in the summer.
Examine the Sump Pump
Malfunctioning sump pumps can cause water back up into the home. In gearing up for the next season, examining the sump pump ensures it’ll properly pump water away.
Spray for Bugs and Insects
The summer conditions are perfect for insect breeding which can be a nuisance at home. Insecticides terminate the bug problem, keeping them away for longer. You’ll also need to check weatherstrips as well to prevent pesky bugs from entering the home.
Clean Out Your Garage
Throughout other seasons, your garage offers extra storage for all manner of items. Summer offers the chance to reorganize and clear out your garage. Consider oiling the garage door opener and chain while at it.
Touch up Exterior Paint and Cracked Concrete
Summer offers the chance for your home to regain appeal. Applying a fresh coat of paint and patching up cracked concrete on your exterior is key.
Clean Out Your Pool
The pool is useful within the summer, and cleaning it out will ready it for use throughout the season. Scrub the sides to deal with algae growth and check water levels as well.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
Your landscape needs revitalization, and pruning trees and shrubs promote new growth.
Sort Out Any Drainage Problems
If you’ve noted any drainage concerns in previous seasons, sort them out in the summer. With the perfect weather, it will be easier to fix any issues with the drainage system.
Fall
The fall offers steady temperatures that are great for renovation tasks. Maintenance during the fall focuses on preparation for the extreme winter conditions. Maintenance tasks during Autumn will therefore ensure comfort during winter.
Read on for a comprehensive fall home maintenance checklist.
Insulation of Plumbing Fixtures
Protecting exterior plumbing helps control pipe freezing and bursts when temperatures cool off. Install and check the insulation around all exterior plumbing features.
Winterize Your AC
Towards the end of the fall, use tarps for covering your AC to prevent water and snow from entering. Winterizing helps extend the functionality and valuable life of the AC unit.
Chimney and Fireplace Inspection and Cleaning
Routine fireplace and chimney checks ensure they’ll be usable during cold months. Inspection and cleaning services prevent any smoke from entering the home.
Clear Out Your Gutters
There are a lot of leaves lying around during the fall, and some might find their way into the gutters. Regular gutters cleaning ensures you don’t experience blockages in your downspouts.
Inspect the Roof for Leaks
The roof will need to handle the snow burden during winter; thus, checking for any weaknesses is vital. Inspect the roof for leaks or loose shingles and make appropriate repairs.
Air Heating System Inspection
You’ll need air heating in the winter, and an inspection ensures you’re on the safe side. Seal out any cracks and window gaps to ensure the air heating system works perfectly.
Check for Mold
Mold growth signs in your home can be identified during the fall. If left unattended, you might experience an unbearable smell in your house during winter. Check and get rid of any mold within the home early.
Winter
Now that the cold months are here, we slow down on any major home improvement projects. You’ll, however, need to institute adjustments to make the unpredictable conditions bearable. Learn more about the winter home maintenance checklist here;
Fix Frozen Pipes
Pipe freezing is common during winter due to the low temperatures. Frozen pipes burst and can fill your home with water. Fixing such pipes within unheated areas averts a possible mess in your home.
Winter Storm Prep
There are unexpected blackouts in winter, and it’s necessary to keep a backup power source. Ensure you’ve got an emergency kit for batteries and medical supplies. You’ll need to stock up wood for the fireplace too.
Service Your Snowblower
Your snowblower’s utility comes to life during winter, and you’ll want it serviced and ready for work. It’ll come in handy after a snowstorm to clear out your doorways.
Ensure the House Slopes Away
Your landscape’s grading should move away from the home to avoid interior flooding. Flooding is possible as the snow thaws, which you need to be wary of. Ensure the grading is maintained throughout winter as a standard practice.
Assess the Roof for Ice Dams
Ice dams are dangerous for your house since they tear off gutters and loosen shingles. Assess your roof for icicles regularly throughout winter and get rid of ice dams fast.
Spring
In spring, the ground has thawed, and trees start to bud. Home maintenance focuses on cleaning up after the damage inflicted by winter. Consider the following for your spring home maintenance checklist.
Clean the Gutters
You’ll need to make sure your gutters are in top-tier conditions. Using a water hose, flush water through the gutters and ensure they drain.
Repair Damage on Exterior Siding
Your exterior siding might also have taken a hit during winter. It’s advisable to inspect and repair any damage to the exterior siding.
Assess the Condition of the Roof
The roof is most exposed during the winter, and it’s necessary to prioritize checking it in spring. Any damages to the shingles, flashing, and vents have to be swiftly repaired.
Inspect the Yard for Pooling Water
Stalled water in your yard can cause damage to your foundation. Consider inspecting the yard for any pooling water and make the necessary amends.
Fertilize Your Lawn
Spring offers new beginnings so, you’ll have to propagate new lawn regeneration. Fertilizing your lawn boosts the curb appeal, ensuring faster grass growth.
Pump the septic tank
After long cold months, your septic tank needs a release. Consider pumping the septic to ensure a cleaner sewer.
Monthly Maintenance Checklist
Although the home maintenance checklists are season-specific, some tasks need your attention regularly. Said tasks are among the monthly home maintenance duties meant for preventative care. Below is a home maintenance checklist by month.
Dust Surfaces
Dusty surfaces are common, especially in unused areas of the home. Dusting them every month prevents allergies and sicknesses for your household.
Replace Air Filters
Dust buildup in your AC filters might prevent the system from working correctly. It’s recommended to replace HVAC filters monthly for better air quality at home.
Unclog Drains
Clogged drains can cause disgusting water pools often rigged with a foul smell. Buildup within your drains can be hard to notice, which is why a monthly check is invaluable. Use drain cleaners to unclog drains and also prevent further buildup.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide leaks are fatal for your household so, ensure detectors working correctly. Test the detectors out to ensure they’re still functional. You could consider changing out the batteries for better functionality.
Clean Kitchen Disposal
Do you know the kitchen disposal might be the reason for the foul smell? Run some bleach and Ice cubes through the disposal to clean and disinfect it. You could also use some lime and orange skin for a refreshing sink.
Inspect Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers, although helpful, are often overlooked, which can be tragic. Check to ensure they aren’t expired and also the pressure gauge reading is correct. They come in handy for use in your home in case of an emergency.
Consider the Above Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season
You’ve invested so much into your house, so taking care of your investment should be prioritized. Regular maintenance of your home will help prevent costly repairs over time. Consider the above home maintenance checklist for every season to establish routine care.
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