Optimal Home Maintenance: Unlock the Seasons with This Essential Checklist

Most of us don't want to spend our Saturdays going through a home maintenance checklist. No one has ever stated, "I can't wait to flush out the hot water heater today." The majority of us, though, invest the most money into our homes. You have to keep it maintained. If you allow paint to flake off the shutters or the gutters to fill with leaves, you risk incurring expensive repair costs.
Home upkeep might seem burdensome, especially for a first-time buyer used to having the landlord do it. However, it need not be intimidating. Plan to complete one set of quick tasks by the month and additional tasks by the season. Your home will function smoothly if you follow this natural routine throughout the entire year and keep up with the tiny details.
 

Seasonal home maintenance checklist

Monthly to-do items

Refresh the furnace filter. Your HVAC will operate more effectively and last longer if you have clean filters. This can also save you money on costly maintenance and cleaning expenses. Depending on factors including if you have allergies or pets, the quality of the filter, and how often you replace your filters, you may want to do it either monthly or every few months.

Heat registers and vents are vacuumed. The accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris in registers restricts airflow and forces your HVAC system to work harder to keep the interior temperature stable.

Extinguishers and smoke detectors should be tested. Your largest investment is likely your home. Verify that the fire protection equipment is in good working order.

Examine the wear on the electrical wires. Cords create a fire danger if the rubber covering becomes worn or splits.

The disposal should be cleaned. Ice cubes should be ground before flushing the device with hot water and baking soda to get rid of food residue that might harm it.

Aerators and showerheads should be cleaned. Tap water mineral deposits accumulate and reduce the water flow. After removing the aerators, soak them in vinegar for the entire night and clean them with an old toothbrush.

Examine the exterior of your house. Be on the lookout for insects, overgrown bushes or shrubs, loose roof shingles, damaged siding, cracked bricks, driveway or sidewalk cracks, and cracked or loose bricks. To fix any issues you uncover, contact a professional.

Spring

Examine the trees.

Call a qualified arborist who can check for sickness and spot a problem before it kills the tree if you see a lot of dead branches on a tree or if a tree hasn't developed spring leaves as it should. Additionally, you don't want a sick tree to topple upon your home.

sanitize the gutters. In order to safeguard your roof, walls, and foundation, gutters manage the flow of precipitation and snowmelt onto your home. Gutter blockages might result in roof leaks or water intrusion into your home. If several trees hang over your roof, clean them more frequently than twice a year.

Refresh the paint on the outside. You could need a touch-up or a whole new coat of paint if you see paint that is flaking, peeling, or chipping. Prior to the summer's intense rains and hot heat damaging exposed surfaces, complete the painting.

Verify the HVAC. To have your HVAC system checked and serviced twice a year, call a technician. They should clean and service the furnace and A/C compressor in addition to inspecting the ductwork for any damage.

Clean the vents and ducts. Call a professional to clean the system of the accumulated filth, dust, and, if you have indoor pets, dog or cat hair. If the ducts are clear, your HVAC won't have to work as hard, prolonging its lifespan.

Clean the home. Give the outside of your house a thorough cleaning to remove the winter. Wash the windows and screens, then use a hose to remove the mildew, grit, and debris from the outside. Over time, such dirt may harm brickwork and paint. Spray a gentle cleaner that won't damage your landscaping on the home, then water it off. Power washers may harm siding and brick, so you might want to repress the impulse to use one.

Verify the deck. A perfect time to refinish the deck or replace rotting planks is during the cold spring days.

Update the pest control agreement for your house. Hire a pro to do a monthly inspection for termites, rodents, and other intruders that cause damage to homes.

Give your grass, trees, and bushes fertilizer.  Winter was spent sleeping. Now that they are awakening, feed them.

Summer

Water foliage and plants. Make sure your landscaping receives enough water. Your landscape is losing money.

Analyze the sprinkler system. Keep an eye out for water pools, loose valves, and blocked lines. Examine the timings. If you discover issues, contact a professional for repairs.

The garage door opener needs oil. Shine up the hinges and chain on the garage door.

Look for leaks in the dishwasher and near the toilets. If you see issues, contact a plumber.

prune your shrubs and trees. By doing so, you can keep them healthy and eliminate any dead or sick branches.

In the kitchen and bathroom, seal the tile grout. Ensure that water doesn't get between the tiles and ruin your floors and walls.

Fall

Your garden needs fertilizer. Before the cold sets in, give your grass, trees, and plants one more boost.

sanitize the gutters. This will be the largest gutter cleanout of the year because of the falling autumn leaves. Keep in mind that blocked gutters might result in roof leaks or water entering your home. 

Look inside the chimney. Call a chimney sweep for a yearly inspection and cleaning before you use your fireplace. They ought to examine the damper, firebox, and flue.

Verify the HVAC. Employ a professional to service your furnace and ducts, just like you did in the spring. Make sure the ducts and vents are clear, and request that the technician inspect the thermostat to ensure it is functioning.

Dryer vent cleaning. You may do this yourself or hire an HVAC technician with expertise in dryer vents to clean the lint from the vent and check it. Nearly 3,000 fires are started by clothes dryers each year, and a clogged vent forces your dryer to work harder than necessary, eventually blowing its heating element.

Clear the water heater's hot water supply. By doing this, accumulated silt that might harm the appliance is removed.

Eliminate air leaks. Grab a few tubes of external caulk that match your home's color and fill up any gaps around window and door frames, trim and siding, and any places where pipes or wires enter your home. By doing this, moisture won't enter your walls.

Drain sprinkler systems that are buried.  Any water that is still present in the pipes might freeze and harm the system.

In unheated garages, insulate pipes and outside faucets. Uninsulated pipes might freeze, and when they thaw, flooded homes could result.

Winter

Your air conditioner should be covered. Use coverings designed specifically for this purpose to shield it from the weather.

Cleaned coils in the freezer and refrigerator. Using a coil brush to remove the dust buildup will make your fridge function better and last longer. First, unplug the refrigerator. Clean and empty drip pans as well.

After a storm, check the roof, gutters, and downspouts. During the winter, your house experiences the most damage. If you see damage, contact an expert. Once the earth has thawed, this is an excellent time to examine your basement for leaks.

Watch out for the pipes. There are other things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing after wrapping them in the autumn. 

Want to find a home for rent that perfectly suits your requirements? Check out what’s available on 9Brokers.com