The list of possible things we all should be doing for proper maintenance of our homes can get pretty overwhelming when it is added on top of everything else we have going on.
It’s easy for homeowners to forget the little things
But when we think about the fact that our home is usually our largest investment and we think about some of the possible consequences of not doing proper maintenance, we may decide it is worth it to get on our maintenance list quickly.
Monthly home maintenance checklist
These routine maintenance tasks are important, but in different ways.
- Cleaning your faucets and shower heads.
- Inspect electrical cords for fraying. Unplug and replace damaged items.
- Inspect power surge strips for excessive heat, black soot spots on or around them, electrical arcing, or the smell of something melting or burning. Unplug them if there seems to be a problem and replace them with new power surge strips.
- Vacuum AC vents and heat registers.
- Make sure no air vents are covered or blocked.
- Clean the garbage disposal with citrus and ice.
- Drain your hot water heater (if it is not tank-less)
Quarterly home maintenance checklist
- Check the water softener and add salt if needed.
- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and consider replacing the batteries, if appropriate.
- Run a bit of water through unused sinks, tubs, and showers and flush unused toilets to keep the water from collecting dirt and buildup.
- Change your HVAC filters (change more frequently if your home accumulates a lot of dust or you have furry pets.)
- Clean your kitchen exhaust hood filter.
Bi-Annual home maintenance checklist
- Clean the gutters.
- Replace the filter on your refrigerator water line.
- Inspect the roof for missing shingles or damage.
- Test the water heater’s pressure relief valve and replace the valve if needed.
- Vacuum the refrigerator coils.
- Check the exterior of your home for chipping paint, rotten wood, damaged siding, and other wear and tear and repair it.
- Make sure trees are not touching electrical lines.
- Trim bushes and hedges back several feet away from the house and from your air conditioner or heat pump unit.
- Check power lines coming into the house for damage from squirrels.
- Check for any plumbing leaks around the house and look for water damage inside, as well as under the house if you have a crawl space.
- Clean the dryer vent.
- Test the sump pump, if you have one, to prevent a flood.
- Have your HVAC winterized in fall and prepare it for summer in spring. You may consider having it professionally serviced during those times.
- Check the caulking around doors, windows, tubs, and bathrooms.
- Check for mold growth in the kitchen and bathrooms and around windows.
Annual home maintenance checklist
- Test outlets to be sure they work.
- Tighten any loose hardware on doors or cabinets.
- Check for mold in the basement.
- Look for cracks in the driveway that need to be addressed
When you keep up with home maintenance, it saves you money, stress, and drama. It’s a lot easier to repair a small problem right away than to let it fester and go without repair for months or years until it becomes a major expense.
But here’s the great news! You don’t necessarily have to do all of the things on this daunting list yourself!
Why not hire a handyman to help you with many of the routine maintenance list items on your honey-do list?
After all, your time and peace of mind are priceless.
