Home Maintenance Checklist and Tips
July 14, 2021
Share this article
Being a home owner is a lot like being the boss – you get to decide what goes where and what’s OK (or not).
Want to leave a shrugged-off coat in the hallway, on the floor? Fine, if you say so. Muddy shoes in the living room? If you’re OK with it, then go for it.
But, when it comes to keeping your home in shape, you’re not so much the boss of the house as its number 1 employee: There are just some things you have to do to so your home’s a safe place. (Some of these tasks can also keep it looking good, which is a nice side benefit!)
If you’re new to home ownership and your heart was set on immediately chipping away at your home-renovation wish-list, know that this may not be an either/or situation.
You may be able to start on your home improvement list and take care of the to-dos on this list too.
If you’re still feeling a bit deflated by this list of tasks, keep in mind that regular, ongoing maintenance could help you protect your investment (and your bank account) over the long term.
Veteran home owners with kits of well-used tools may also find this rundown of to-dos helpful, because, let’s face it: It can be tough to keep up with everything that needs to be done. This list could help you stay organized.
Home maintenance tasks you can expect to do over and over (and over) again
Before we get into the season-by-season checklist, let's start with a few overarching notes.
Repeats
This mini guide can feel repetitive. Seriously, there is a lot of information about vents. But there are at least three reasons repeat items keep showing up on home maintenance lists:
- They can keep you safe
- They can help you keep a lid on water, heating and cooling costs
- They may help you identify problems before they become costly projects
Things to do every month
- Test your smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguishers
- Make sure drains (kitchen, bathroom, shower, tub, basement) are clear
- Clean or change filters for heat and a/c systems
- Make sure dryer vents are clear (think lint and dust)
Things to do every season
- Check the roof and gutters
- Make sure outdoor air vents are clear (nests, ice and snow are not your friends)
- Maintain or clean heating and/or cooling systems (test pressure switches, blower and motor)
Although leaving a hose outside in the winter may not dent your budget, skipping some of these other items could turn small probelms into significant, costly ones.
Another thing to keep in mind is that each season may be an opportunity to uncover issues you won’t see during other times of the year.
For example: A snow-covered roof can look pretty, but if you see a patchy melt pattern, it could be a sign that your home needs better insulation. It could also mean it’s susceptible to water damage.
With that out of the way, on to the seasonal breakdown.
Leaks can happen any time of year and they can cause expensive damage.
Spring home maintenance checklist: windows, dryer vents and water stains
Spring tasks are about opening things up and taking advantage of the good weather to see damage snow and ice may have hidden (or caused) as well as get a general sense of outdoor projects you may need to tackle.
Outdoor maintenance
- Get your roof inspected. A professional can help you identify any damage.
- Look for water stains on outdoor walls. Stains mean gutters may not be working.
- Check and clear your gutters. Clean gutters move water away from your house, protecting your roof and preventing leaks. So you’ll want to remove leaves, twigs, any anything else that may be in the way.
- Check for cracks in the foundation, walls and floors. Home Advisor says to immediately call a professional if a crack in the floor or foundation is as wide as a nickel.
- Look at your driveway and walkways for cracks or buckling. Tree roots and water that froze and expanded are just some of the forces that can cause damage which people can trip over. It could also damage vehicles.
- Clean and maintain air conditioning units. Two good reasons to do this: The A/C will run better and cleaning could extend its lifespan.
- Have the HVAC system inspected. Safety, efficiency. Check and check.
- Clean your dryer vent. This does two good things: It can help you save money by maintaining efficiency and clear out lint buildup, a potential fire hazard.
Indoor maintenance
- Check window screens for holes. Big holes = big bugs.
- Clean and replace storm windows with screens. Let in spring and summer breezes when the A/C is off.
- Replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries. This is good to do as part of your spring cleaning process. Safety first.
Summer season: filters, leaks, grout and garages
Do this early
- Get your chimney and fireplace inspected. The Washington Post recommends doing this in late August.
Outdoor maintenance
- See if you need to paint the exterior (or some if it). Paint doubles as decoration and a second skin – it can help protect your home from bugs, rain, snow and heat. Touch-up any areas that are peeling and may be exposing your home to any unnecessary elements or water damage.
- Hire a tree professional. They can help you identify trees that may need to be trimmed or removed.
- Check for insect damage. Termites are just one type of insect that can damage homes. Precautions can help you minimize damage and prevent an all-out infestation.
- Oil your garage-door hinges and tracks. Oiled hinges and tracks keep things working and can prevent damage.
- Clear the dryer vent. Lint, again.
Indoor maintenance
- Run ceiling fans counterclockwise. Changing direction will make rooms cooler.
- Replace your air conditioner’s filter. Clogged filters can make your A/C work harder (which makes running it more expensive).
- Clean the kitchen exhaust and air filter. Do this to help clear the air inside and reduce in-house grease build-up.
- Check for water leaks. Preventing or fixing leaks can help protect your home from damage and mold.
- Check caulk and grout. Summer’s a good time for getting this stuff fixed.
- Consider getting a dehumidifier. Too much humidity can ruin paint, foster mold and create a musty smell.
Fall home maintenance checklist: gutters, windows, doors and trees
Taking care of your home in the fall is as much about handling the current weather as it is about getting your home ready for winter.
Do this early in the season
Get your heating system checked by a professional – This checkup could do a few good things:
- It’s a good safety check, because technicians could look for leaks and head off carbon monoxide poisoning. (This will supplement your monthly check noted in the first list).
- An in-shape heating system in shape works efficiently which could keep your energy bills down during the cooler months.
- If you have the system’s warranty, you may also see that the manufacturer requires an annual checkup to keep the warranty in effect. Better Homes & Gardens recommends booking this at the end of summer or in early fall.
Outdoor maintenance
- Trim trees. You want to look for dead branches or ones that could damage your home. A professional can help you determine which ones to address, and make sure they don’t fall on your home or your neighbor’s.
- Check the roof and chimney. Look for missing shingles or damaged flashing. A well-maintained roof (no loose shingles) is important, and flashing, which is partly installed under roof shingles, helps prevent leaks where the roof and chimney meet.
- Get your chimney, fireplace and flue checked and cleaned. Keeping your chimney cleaned can prevent creosote buildup and clearing out nests can help prevent fires. If the damper doesn’t work, your home’s warm air will literally go through the roof when you’re not using the fireplace.
- Clean the gutters. Yes, again with gutters.
- Seal gaps near windows and doors. This will help you keep heat in during the cooler months. You may be able to use weather stripping or caulk. You may also need a replacement and/or professional assistance.
- Swap screens for storm windows. This can help keep the chilly air out. (And heat in.)
- Remove or cover air conditioners. Preventing weather damage could help you avoid having to buy new ones.
- Bring in lawn furniture and hoses. Even outdoor equipment needs protection from harsh weather.
Indoor maintenance
- Change the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide detectors. You test them every month, but you may want to change the batteries every year.
- Clean your dryer's vent. Fires are not fun. Properly warming dryers are great.
Want to turn your house into the home of your dreams? Learn more about Marcus Home Improvement Loans.
Winter home maintenance checklist: pipes, sidewalks, roofs and ceiling fans
Do this early in the season
- Help prevent frozen pipes, part 1: Drain outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems to help prevent ice damage.
- Find or buy your shovels, ice-melt, salt and sand. The before-storm rush is never fun.
- Stock up on packaged food, batteries and candles. Good for days you’re snowed in and if you lose power.
- Help prevent frozen pipes, part 2. Make sure hot and cold water pipes are insulated throughout the house. This could include checking the basement, cabinets and crawl spaces. It’s also a good idea to check pipes that run along exterior walls in uninsulated areas.
Outdoor maintenance
- Clear, salt and sand outdoor walkways, stairs and sidewalks. Two really good reasons to do this: it could prevent people from getting injured on your property; some cities and towns require that you clear and salt sidewalks.
- Make sure snow isn’t blocking furnace vents. One of those safety and efficiency checks.
- Check your roof after it snows. Melted patches could be a sign you need to improve your home’s insulation.
- Watch for icicles. This is another way of saying check your gutters. If you’ve got what looks like a waterfall of ice, you may need to bring in a professional because you could end up with a damaged roof. A few icicles mean your gutters may be clogged.
- Use a roof rake after a heavy snow fall. Snow’s pretty, but too much can stress your roof. Raking it may reduce it.
Indoor maintenance
- Set your ceiling fans to run clockwise. Seriously: it can make your rooms warmer.
- Change the furnace filter every few months. This will help it run more effectively.
- Clean the kitchen exhaust and air filter. Filters trap grease and odors. Clean them.
- Clean refrigerator coils. Clean coils will help your refrigerator cool things as it should.
- Check the basement and water heater for leaks. Leaks can happen any time of year and they can cause expensive damage. Checking leak-prone areas throughout the year (not just during winter) isn’t a bad idea.
- Flush your hot water heater. This item is easy to do but just as easy to forget. Flushing your hot water heater will help reduce things like sediment and minerals that may build up in the tank.
- Clean and replace storm windows with screens. Let in spring and summer breezes when the A/C is off.
What to do after the list is complete
- Celebrate your hard-won DIY skills.
- Revisit this maintenance list again, starting from the top to protect your investment.
- Track tasks you may want to follow up on, like replacing a roof.
- See if there are any maintenance projects that could overlap with a home improvement project you’ve been wanting to take on. If you’re repaving the driveway, for example, does it make sense to tackle landscaping the same time?
- Revisit your home maintenance budget and see if you need to increase it. Or, maybe you’re able to move some money from this budget to a savings account for home renovations you’d like to tackle.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized professional advice. Articles on this site were commissioned and approved by Marcus by Goldman Sachs®, but may not reflect the institutional opinions of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA or any of their affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions.
6 min read
Connect with us on social media
Join our Marcus social media community, where we share content and inspiration to help improve your financial health. See you there!
