Homeowners Seasonal Maintenance Checklist

If you are a homeowner, you already know that a pound of prevention is worth an ounce of cure. Preventative maintenance is very important in order to keep your home in looking great and comfortable while avoiding high maintenance bills. If you inspect your home regularly for signs of trouble, you will keep your home in excellent condition and save money on costly repairs. To accomplish this, use the seasonal maintenance checklist below.

Monthly Checklist

• Inspect the exterior of your home for signs of damage, wear and insect infestation.

• Change to furnace or air conditioner filter.

• Test smoke alarms and replace batteries, as needed.

Spring Checklist

• Clean eaves troughs, (gutters) and downspouts.

• Check mortar between the bricks on the exterior of your home.

• Inspect the foundation for cracks, settling and water penetration.

• Uncover air conditioner, change filters and have it cleaned in preparation for summer.

• Cut back branches of any shrubs or trees that are touching the exterior of your home.

• Inspect the exterior paint and touch up or re-paint as needed.

• Inspect and treat exterior wood for decay, damage and insect infestation.

• Wash windows and check for damage on sills and frames.

• Check and repair window screens, as needed.

• Inspect insulation around windows and doors and upgrade if necessary.

• Replace caulking around window and door frames and repair or replace as needed.

Summer Checklist

• Check and oil door hinges and locks on both the exterior and interior of your home.

• Powerwash your deck and repair any damaged or splintered wood. Refinish if needed and apply sealer.

• Clean and oil all window slides and patio door tracks.

• Oil closet door slides and tracks.

• Oil all door locks and lubricate garage doors.

• Repair or replace caulking around counters, sinks and bathtubs.

• Apply sealer to asphalt driveways.

Fall Checklist

• Clean windows both inside and out.

• Cut back all tree and shrub branches that are touching the exterior of your house, including the roof.

• Clean eaves troughs and downspouts. Repair or replace, as needed.

• Inspect soffit and facia. Repair or replace, as needed.

• Check and clean fireplaces and chimneys. If you don’t have the knowledge to do this, hire a professional. Dirty chimneys, fireplaces and flues can be a fire hazard.

• Clean heat ducts, registers and grills. You may wish to hire a professional to clean duct work.

• Replace furnace filters and be sure your furnace is in top running condition for the coming winter.

• Inspect, test and change batteries in all smoke detectors.

• Inspect door and window insulation and caulking. Replace or repair, as necessary.

• Prune shrubs and bring plants into the house as required.

• Cover air condition unit to prevent winter damage.

• In cold climates, turn water off to all outside fixtures and drain.

• Take in lawn ornaments and furniture.

Winter Checklist

• Keep snow and ice off of exterior vents.

• Clean range hoods and exhaust fans and change the filters.

• Re-grout bathtub, sinks and tile joints, as needed.

• Wash walls and ceilings thoroughly.

• Check interior paint and touch-up or repaint as necessary.

• Strip old wax off of hardwood floors, clean them thoroughly, apply new wax and polish.

If you follow this seasonal checklist, you will keep your home comfortable, looking great and avoid huge maintenance bills, which will allow you to enjoy your home all year long.