Homeownership is more than a mere investment: it’s a daily commitment to safeguard one’s comfort, security, and the value of one’s property. Summer, fall, winter, spring—there’s always something that needs doing!
To this end, a yearly home maintenance schedule is essential. A complete checklist for every season will help you stay on top of chores, prevent issues, and spread costs over the year.
Summer: Make the Most of the Fine Weather to Prevent Problems
Summer is the season to undertake light but necessary maintenance chores to keep the home safe and in good condition.
- Exterior paint: Take advantage of the dry weather to repaint or touch up chipping painted surfaces.
- Roof: This is an ideal time to examine the roof for any damage. Concerning signs to look out for include curling or missing shingles.
- Lawn and garden: Trim trees, tidy flower beds, and mow regularly to keep your yard from becoming overgrown with weeds.
- Watering: Check your irrigation system to avoid wasting water, by repairing broken pipes, for example.
- Decks and patios: Look the structure over for rot or protruding nails—ouch!
Fall: Get the House Ready for Winter
Falling leaves mean that the time has come to prepare your property for the cold months ahead, and, most importantly, avoid a steep spike in your power bills!
- Heating: Dust electric baseboard heaters and warm air vents to improve air circulation and heating system efficiency. Clean or replace filters on forced-air heat registers as soon as dirt accumulates.
- Draft-proofing: Look for cracks and gaps around doors and windows to prevent heat loss. Leaks can be easily sealed, at least temporarily.
- Outdoors: Store or protect patio furniture, empty garden hoses, and close outdoor valves.
- Chimney (if applicable): Have it swept to reduce the risk of fire.
- Dead leaves: Clean gutters to prevent blockages and water infiltrations.
- Sheds: Check your garden shed’s condition as well. A leaking roof or a soggy floor may point to an underlying problem.
- Test your alarms: Make certain your security or fire alarm system is working properly. You can never be too careful!
Winter: Monitor and Prevent
In winter, inspections and occasional maintenance are the best ways to avoid emergencies.
- Roof: Remove snow as needed to prevent ice build-up and water infiltrations.
- Ventilation: Ensure no snow or ice is blocking the outdoor vents.
- Water pipes: Make certain exposed pipes are well insulated to prevent freezing.
- Dryer outlet: Regularly clean out the air outlet to prevent fires. It’s usually high up and rarely clogged, but it’s important to check.
- Front door and steps: Shovel often and apply deicing salt to prevent falls.
- Septic tank (if applicable): Avoid packing snow on top to keep the system from freezing.
Spring: Time to Deep Clean… and Check for Damage
Spring is the perfect time to inspect your house for winter damage and to get it ready for summer.
- Roof: Assess the shingles’ condition, since winter may have been rough on your roof!
- Gutters: Again, make sure they’re not clogged!
- Foundations: Inspect for cracks and confirm water drains away from the walls.
- Patio and outdoor furniture: Clean, repair and protect your patio’s surface and your outdoor furniture so you can enjoy your backyard all summer long.
- Windows and screens: Wash windows, check seals, and install or repair screens.
- Air conditioning: Have your air conditioner inspected and cleaned for maximum efficiency. You may also want to clean the filters as well as both the indoor and outdoor units yourself.
- Basement: Check for signs of water infiltration.
- Yard drainage: Clean exterior drains, and make sure rainwater flows away from the house. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to redirect it in the opposite direction with gutters or by digging a slope.
Don’t forget: one hour of maintenance today may save you weeks of hassle in the months or years to come!