Property maintenance checklist PDF

Homeownership is a goal for many Americans. However, maintaining a home can be overwhelming sometimes. Especially if there are years of deferred maintenance. Below is an easy-to-follow checklist to help you tackle these small tasks each month throughout the year.

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Spring Summer Fall Winter

JANUARY

• Make sure your gutters are free from any ice dams and icicles.
• Inspect fire extinguishers
• Clean behind the refrigerator and stove to help better airflow and to prevent from appliances running to hot.
• It is important that you change your HVAC filter every 30 or 60 days.
• Deep clean your oven. If you eat home cooked meals regularly, they can get pretty dirty. A good cleaning once a year will help keep it nice.

Download PDF: Home Maintenace Checklist Printable

FEBRUARY

• Check the caulking in the bathroom and kitchen to make sure it is not deteriorating and allowing water to seep in behind it.
• Test all smoke detectors in the house. It is important that they are checked every month.
• If you have a whole-house humidifier, it is good to take a look at it once or twice a year to make sure it is working properly.
• During the colder months, you want to ensure that all outside railings & steps are secured.
• Check and clean range hood filter once or twice a year depending on how often it in use.

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Sprint time is usually when the real estate market starts to pick up.It is also a good time to do some maintenance around the house. Below are tips to perform during this time of year. Some of the most important tips you can do are the ones that will keep your house protected from the rain.

MARCH

• Some arborists recommend that late winter, just before spring hits, is the best time to have trees pruned or trimmed. Make sure tree branches are trimmers away from the house. When branches rub against shingles it can cause them to wear faster.
• Walk around the outside of your home and touch up any exterior paint as needed.
• Springtime is always a great time to do some spring cleaning! Purge and declutter any items that are no longer needed. This is extremely important if your planning on selling in the coming months.
• Typically this time of year you may expect a lot more rain. Check all gutter downspouts and splash blocks to make sure the water is being directed away from the foundation of your home.
• A good rule of thumb is to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors is twice a year during daylight savings.

APRIL

• Replace a new unit is not cheap. Thats why it is important to have your air conditioner serviced once a year.
• Check for proper grading around the exterior home. That way during heavy rain, the water properly drains away from the foundation.
• Test garage door auto-reverse to make sure it is working properly to prevent from any accidents.
• Gutters can often become clogged and cause overflowing. Its a good idea to clean them from leaves & debris at least twice a year.
• Check brick, siding, exterior for any damage. Sometimes mortar can deteriorate and will need to be tuck pointed to prevent any water intrusion.

MAY

• Depending on the size of the household will determine how often your septic system needs to be serviced. If it has been a while, now may be a good time to have it cleaned & serviced.
• Pressure wash and clean deck, siding, and any other outdoor areas. Sometimes certain products such as Wet and Forget or even OxiClean can get the job done without using a pressure washer.
• Now that everything is clean, it is a good time to reseal or stain your deck.
• For better air circulation inside, switch ceiling fans to counterclockwise.
• Run water & flush toilets in unused bathrooms to make sure sediment doesnt build up in plumbing.

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Below are tips to perform around the house during thesummer months. This time of year the temperature and humidity is at its highest. Dont just focus on the exterior of your home though, this is a good time to also focus on the inside.

JUNE

• Clean garbage disposal monthly.
• Its important that your basement stays dry. Always check for any signs of water.
• Clean out and defrost the freezer and refrigerator.
• Vacuum registers and vents. Some companies will come out and thoroughly clean out all ducts.
• Clean inside & outside windows to improve natural light on the home.

JULY

• Tighten any loose handles and doorknobs both interior and exterior.
• Driveways can take a lot of abuse. Check for any cracks and consider resealing if needed.
• To prolong the life of your water heater, drain and flush it out to remove sediment.
• Test GFCI outlets to make sure they are working properly.
• Have a professional roofing company inspect the roof for any dame or needed repairs.

AUGUST

• If you have a vestment, chances are you have a sump pump. Now is a good time to check and make sure it working properly.
• Take a look inside the attic to make sure there is no water intrusion.
• During the summertime, homeowners tend to grill out a lot more. Its a good idea to regularly clean it.
• Depending on the size of the household and the number of guests, it might be time to have the carpet professionally cleaned.

SEPTEMBER

• Over time doors can become loud and squeaky. Sometimes the best way to fix it is to remove the pin from the door hinge and apply some oil.
• Replace caulking around exterior windows can help prevent from water finding its way inside and causing rage over time.
• Nails and screws can work their way out of wood from the hot and cold temperatures. Tighten any loose nails or screws on the deck to keep boards secure and prevent a trip hazard.
• Inspect fence for any needed repairs. Loose boards or fading paint.

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Below are tips to perform around the house during thefall months. Now is great time to start preparing your home for the colder temperatures. Complete any task outside that you may not want to finish when it is below freezing.

OCTOBER

• Winter is coming and temperatures are dropping. Now is a good time to have your furnace serviced and cleaned.
• Remove hoses from outside spigots to prevent freezing and bursting pipes.
• Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise direction to better circulate the warmer air. Especially tall vaulted ceilings.
• Winter is right around the corner and the hot summer temperatures should be coming to an end. Take a look at the attic to make sure you have adequate insulation.
• Winterize outdoor lawn equipment.

NOVEMBER

• It is important to create an Emergency escape plan and practice it once or twice a year.
• Shut off supply for exterior spigots.
• Have fireplace inspected & cleaned before you use it during the winter months.
• Clean and cover any outdoor furniture.

Winter Home Maintenance Tips

From December through February the temperature is usually at its coldest. Take a look at these monthsto see somewinter home maintenance tips to perform around the housethis time of year.

DECEMBER

• Have dryer vent cleaned or replaced.
• Run water & flush toilet in unused bathrooms
• Inspect weather-stripping by doors & windows to help prevent unwanted drafts.
• Clean faucet aerators to remove sediment buildup.