The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist

When it comes to home maintenance, being proactive is the best way to protect your investment. There are a lot of small tasks that fly under the radar when you own a home. By being aware of some of the smaller home maintenance tasks that should be done seasonally, you'll keep your home safe and secure.

Here is the ultimate home maintenance checklist.

Spring

After a long winter, spring is a great time to ensure everything outside is ready for the warmer months.

Property Walkthrough

Take a walk around your property and note anything that might need to be addressed. Take this opportunity to pick up sticks and debris that has accumulated over the winter months. Note any trees or plants that have broken limbs or damage from winter storms to be tidied.

Home Exterior Check

In addition to checking your property, you should investigate the exterior of your house.

Be sure to take a close look at the siding to determine if there is any damage. DaBella, Idaho Falls siding experts, deal with an average of 30 plus inches of snow every year and recommend a thorough inspection every spring.

Take note of any cracks around the foundation or damage to the exterior windows or doors. This is also the ideal time to take a look at your roof and determine if any shingles need to be replaced and clean the gutters.

Exterior Tidy

Start your spring with a thorough cleaning of your exterior. Powerwash your siding and deck, which likely accumulated a fair amount of grime over the winter months. Trim any hedges or shrubs and fill in any holes in the driveway.

A/C Check

Don't wait until summer to check your A/C and replace the filters. You want to be sure that it's ready to go when the heat picks up. 

Summer

With so much to do in the summertime, it's best to keep the to-do list to the minimum.

Fans and Vents

Check your fans and vents, and give them a good clean. Remember to switch your fan direction to distribute cool air better. Take this opportunity to clean out the dryer vent as well.

Pest Check

Take a look around and determine if there are any areas where pests are getting into the home. If you find evidence of pests, call an exterminator.

Fire Extinguishers and Alarms

You should check your fire alarms and replace the batteries at least twice a year, ideally in the summer and winter. During the summer, check your fire extinguishers as well to ensure they haven't expired. 

Fall

During the fall, the priority should be preparing your house for the winter months.

Heaters and HVAC

Check to ensure your heating system is working well, and have your HVAC system serviced.

Chimney Cleaning

Schedule a chimney cleaning to remove debris and protect your home from fires when the winter comes around.

Windows and Doors

Check your doors and windows for drafts, adding caulking or weather stripping as needed.

Pipes and Leaks

Check your pipes and faucets, tightening anything that's loose and repairing any leaks. Be sure to turn off outside faucets in preparation for the cold. 

Winter

Winter is a great time to take on larger interior home renovation projects so that you can enjoy your efforts when the weather gets warm again.

Weather Prep

Prepare your home for the winter weather. Stock up on supplies like de-icer, shovels, etc. Put away your lawnmower and get your snowblower checked and ready to go.

Deep Clean

During the winter, you should deep clean the nooks and crannies of your home. Check for moisture and mold, and deal with them as soon as possible. Clean your cupboards, windows, and everywhere else that gets neglected in the summer sun.

Basic Maintenance

The winter is a great time to perform basic maintenance, like caulking the tub and tightening loose doorknobs. Note the little things that have been bothering you all year long and get them fixed.

Breaking your home maintenance into seasonal tasks will help you stay on top of your to-do list and ahead of the changing seasons.