Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Stay on top of your home’s regular maintenance, and you’ll have fewer costly repairs to make. Here’s a seasonal home maintenance checklist to help you stay on top of everything that needs to be done. Read through the post for tips on how to complete each task. Then, grab a printable version of the checklist.

Monthly

• Clean or replace HVAC filters.
• Clean the kitchen drain/garbage disposal. – Use a mix of baking soda and vinegar to clean the drain. If you have a disposal, grind up lemon peels, orange peels or ice. This will help to eliminate odors and stuck on foods.
• Inspect each fire extinguisher in your home. Make sure the pin and tamper seal are intact; verify that the pressure reading is still in the proper range, and that there’s no visible damage to any part of the extinguisher.

Spring

• Install a fresh set of batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you have the new detectors with 10-year batteries, you don’t need to do this.
• Test (and dust) detectors to ensure they’re in good working order.
• Inspect the caulk in your kitchen and bathrooms; re-caulk where needed.
• Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils.
• Schedule an air conditioning inspection (or perform your own inspection). Be sure to clean your AC Condensate drain to prevent clogs.
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter to remove grease and prevent fires.
• Inspect your deck. Hammer or screw down any nails that are sticking up. Then, clean and re-seal the wood to extend it’s life (if needed).
• Inspect exterior paint (on house and outbuildings), and do touch-ups as needed.
• Inspect siding/masonry. Make repairs and re-caulk around windows and doors as needed.
• Remove and store storm windows, and install screens. (if applicable)
• Repair or replace damaged window screens.
• Inspect your roof for damage. Look for broken, missing or loose shingles and roof leaks. Also, check the roof on any outbuildings.
• Inspect the attic for signs of leaks or pests.
• Inspect outdoor play equipment for safety issues. Look for loose bolts, broken equipment and active wasp or bee nests. Address any issues found.
• Clean out your gutters.
• Prune shrubs. Spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned after they’ve bloomed. Summer-flowering shrubs should be pruned before they’ve bloomed.
• Schedule your yearly septic tank inspection. (if applicable)

Summer

• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter to remove grease and prevent fires.
• Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils.
• Reverse your ceiling fans. They should be running counter-clockwise.
• Inspect your foundation for drainage issues. Look for clogged downspouts, grading problems, etc.
• Inspect the basement and/or crawl space for moisture issues. Address anything you find.
• Inspect inside and outside your home for insect activity. Check for termites, ants, carpenter bees, wasps, etc.)

Fall

• Install a fresh set of batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you have the new detectors with 10-year batteries, you don’t need to do this.
• Test (and dust) detectors to ensure they’re in good working order.
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter to remove grease and prevent fires.
• Drain the sediment from hot water heater. If you have a tankless hot water heater, flush the sediment from the lines, instead.
• Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils.
• Insulate all exposed pipes to improve the efficiency of your home.
• Schedule an annual furnace inspection (or perform the inspection yourself).
• Remove (or cover) window air conditioning units.
• Schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning. (if applicable)
• Remove and store window screens; install storm windows. (if applicable)
• Shut off the outdoor water supply, and store hoses for the season.
• Inspect your roof for damage. Look for broken, missing or loose shingles and roof leaks. Also, check the roof on any outbuildings.
• Clean out your gutters.
• Inspect the caulk around all windows and doors; recaulk as needed
• Trim trees and shrubs to ensure nothing is touching the house.
• Inspect your deck for any nails or screws that have worked there way out. Hammer or screw them back down.
• Clean your outdoor furniture; then, cover or store it for the season.

Winter

• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter to remove grease and prevent fires.
• Test GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry room.
• Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils.
• Clean your dryer vent to prevent a dryer fire.
• Check all sinks and toilets for leaks, and make any necessary repairs.
• Inspect the hoses on your washing machine, dishwasher and ice maker for leaks, and replace as needed. Here’s how to replace your washing machine hose.
• Reverse your ceiling fans. They should be running clockwise.
• Test your sump pump to ensure it’s still functioning properly.

Here’s a printable version of this seasonal home maintenance checklist. It has check boxes, so you can check things off as you’ve completed them, and even has a spot to note the date you completed each task. Add it to your household notebook, so it’ll be easy to reference.

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