UPDATED: AUGUST 17, 2023 | 2 MIN READ
Your home is likely one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime. As with any investment, regular maintenance is crucial to preserving its value and ensuring its longevity. Our annual home maintenance checklist not only helps you keep your home in tip-top shape, but it can also lead to cost savings in the long run.
Spring home maintenance
In the spring, focus on preparing your home for the summer. Plan to spend a lot of time working on things like landscaping, yard maintenance, and anything else you want to have finished before the summer heat sets in.
Here are some of the tasks you should complete in the spring. For a complete list, check out our spring home maintenance checklist.
Interior spring maintenance
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Replace batteries and ensure they’re functioning correctly
- Windows: Clean the inside and outside of your windows. Also, check your screens for damage and repair if needed
- Refrigerator coils: Vacuum them to clear off accumulated dust
Exterior spring maintenance
- Roof inspection: Check for damaged or loose shingles, and if you find any, fix them right away
- Gutters: Clear out any debris to prevent blockages and possible water damage
- Foundation: Look out for cracks or damages that might have occurred during the winter
- Air Conditioning: Schedule a servicing before the summer heat hits
Summer home maintenance
Summer is a great season to work on various indoor and outdoor projects. It’s a good idea to keep your outdoor to-do list as small as possible and complete these chores in the morning or evening so you aren’t out in the heat of the day.
Here are some of the tasks you should complete in the summer. For a complete list, check out our summer home maintenance checklist.
Interior summer maintenance
- Ceiling fans: Dust them off and ensure they’re working without a wobble
- Bathroom exhaust fans: Inspect and clean to ensure maximum efficiency
- Attic and basement: Check for signs of pests or mold, especially in dark, damp corners
Exterior home maintenance
- Deck and patio: Clean and, if necessary, seal them to prolong their life
- Tree trimming: Ensure they aren’t too close to your home, which can be a hazard
- Siding inspection: Check for damage or areas that might need a fresh coat of paint
Fall home maintenance
In the fall, you need to prepare your home for harsh winter weather. Even if you aren’t in a cold climate, the weather still gets cooler than in the summer, so you want to prep your home for temperatures it’s not built to withstand.
Here are some of the tasks you should complete in the fall. For a complete list, check out our fall home maintenance checklist.
Interior home maintenance
- Heating system: Before the cold sets in, ensure your heating system is serviced and functioning at peak efficiency
- Fireplace and chimney: A clean chimney is safer and more efficient. Schedule a cleaning and inspection
- Sump pump: Ensure it’s operating correctly, especially if you’re in a rainy region.
Exterior home maintenance
- Gutters: Once the leaves have fallen, it’s time for another clean-out
- Plumbing: Winterize your external plumbing to avoid frozen pipes
- Roof: Another inspection to prepare for winter snow loads will save you in the long run
Winter home maintenance
The winter season is all about maintaining the work you did on your home in the fall. If you live in a colder climate, you should also keep up on things like shoveling the snow and prepping your driveway for potential ice.
Here are some of the tasks you should complete in the winter. For a complete list, check out our winter home maintenance checklist.
Interior home maintenance
- Drafts: Keep the cold out. Check windows and doors for drafts, sealing any gaps
- Furnace filters: Replace them for optimum heating efficiency
Exterior home maintenance
- Roof: Watch out for heavy snow loads, which can cause damage or collapse.
- Trees: Ice can cause branches to break, so ensure they’re pruned and at a safe distance from your home.
- Walkways and driveways: Clear snow and ice regularly to ensure safety.
Year-round home maintenance tasks
Some tasks you have to work on multiple times throughout the year – not only in specific seasons. You might want to tackle these things more frequently.
- Fire extinguishers: Check them and replace them if they’re out of date
- Emergency evacuation plans: It’s always a good idea to review and practice with family members
- Pest monitoring: Regularly inspect your home for signs of pests
- Water filters: Ensure you have clean drinking water by replacing filters as recommended
Additional tips for effective home maintenance
Affective home maintenance is all about creating to-do lists and sticking to them. It’s important to regularly complete your annual home maintenance tasks so your home stays in good condition.
Create monthly checklists
Break your annual to-do list into monthly lists to make it more manageable. When you break the chores down into smaller chunks, home maintenance isn’t as overwhelming, and you’ll get it done much faster.
Quality over quantity
Buying high-quality tools and materials can mean long-term savings. The last thing you want is for your tools to break when you need them the most. It may take some time, but in the long run, you’ll be better off investing in high-quality tools that you can keep for years.
Start a home maintenance fund
Consider setting aside funds for unexpected maintenance tasks. A good rule of thumb to follow is to save $1 for every square foot of your house every year.
So if you have a 3000-square foot home, you’d plan to set aside $3,000 for annual home maintenance – or $250 per month.
FAQs
What home maintenance should you do yearly?
Annually, homeowners should prioritize servicing their HVAC system to ensure it runs efficiently and improve air quality. Chimney cleaning is essential if you use a fireplace to prevent fire hazards.
It’s also important to inspect the roof for any damages or potential leaks, clean out gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage, and check the foundation for any cracks or signs of settling.
In addition, test and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, drain the water heater to remove sediment build-up, and inspect and repair any damaged seals around windows and doors.
What are some home maintenance tasks?
Home maintenance is essential for safety, efficiency, and preserving property value. It’s vital to replace HVAC filters, clean dryer vents, test smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors, and drain the water heater.
Outside, maintenance includes cleaning gutters, inspecting the foundation and roof, managing landscaping, and sealing driveways. Regular attention to these tasks prevents extensive damage and ensures the home’s longevity.
How do I organize my home maintenance?
To organize your home maintenance:
- Conduct an assessment of your home’s needs, both interior and exterior.
- Categorize tasks based on frequency (daily, monthly, annually) and document them in a dedicated maintenance calendar, whether digital or physical.
- Store home-related documents, warranties, and service contracts in a centralized binder or digital file.
- Allocate a budget for both routine and unexpected maintenance, and assemble a basic toolkit for common tasks.
By planning ahead and systematically scheduling tasks, you can ensure consistent upkeep and timely repairs for your home.
Review your home insurance policy
It’s also important to review your home insurance policy every year. In addition to reviewing your coverage, get several home insurance quotes to ensure you get the best price.
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