Monthly home maintenance checklist
You can increase the comfort and value of your home and appliances by completing some basic home maintenance tasks every month. This includes:
- Grind ice cubes to clean the garbage disposal, then flush with hot water
- Clean the furnace filter
- Vacuum heat registers and air vents
- Ensure that indoor/outdoor air vents are not obstructed
- Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers
- Inspect electrical cords and test ground-fault circuit breakers
- Flush hot water from the water heater to eliminate sediment
- Replenish salt in the water softener
- Clean mineral deposits from faucets and showerheads
It may help to divide and conquer, splitting the list into separate weeks to prevent your tasks from stacking up.
Spring home maintenance checklist
Who doesn’t love a little spring cleaning? Each year, you might tackle some of these indoor and outdoor maintenance and home improvement tasks.
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Spring outdoor maintenance
When the weather warms, it may be a good time to complete the following:
- Clean up any remaining leaves
- Contact a professional arborist to inspect trees
- Check for cracks in your concrete surfaces/structures
- Clean your gutters and downspouts
- Wash your windows and doors
- Replace the batteries in your garage door opener
- Oil your garage door hinges and chain to ensure it works properly
- Apply fresh paint to shutters, siding, or outbuildings
- Start treating the water in your pool
- Give your lawn mower a tune-up (or take it in for professional servicing)
Calling a professional is always a good idea for larger projects such as inspecting your trees for damage or disease.
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Spring indoor maintenance
Inside your home, you’ll need to pay attention to the following tasks:
- Request an inspection of your home’s chimney
- Schedule a tune-up for your home’s AC
- Check your home’s plumbing for leaks
- Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
If you keep up with your monthly home maintenance checklist, your indoor maintenance routine will be much simpler.
Summer home maintenance checklist
Getting your home together while you enjoy warmer weather? Follow this guide.
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Summer outdoor maintenance
- Outside your home, you’ll want to focus on the following:
- Cut the grass regularly
- Dig up and spray for weeds
- Check your sprinkler system for dirt and damage
- Remove leaves and debris from your pool
- Complete any exterior repair projects
Here’s a tip: use the highest blade setting to mow. This will protect your grass from drought and weeds.
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Summer indoor maintenance
When summer heat and humidity rise, you may find yourself enjoying the comfort of the great indoors. But that’s another reason to make sure your home is optimized for rising temperatures. Here are a few things to do to prepare for the summer:
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans
- Clean your AC air filters once a month
- Check your home’s weather stripping
- Contact an exterminator (as needed) to eliminate bugs and household pest
This can be a great time to complete indoor home improvement projects. With the kids home from school, it’s the perfect opportunity to enlist them to complete some chores around the house.
Fall home maintenance checklist
As temperatures start to drop, it’s time to transition from summer to winter. Below is a list of what you’ll need to focus on for maintaining your home in the fall.
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Fall outdoor maintenance
Crisp fall weather can be a great time to complete some basic maintenance tasks. Here are a few things to keep at the top of your to-do list:
- Rake leaves
- Clean gutters
- Schedule an inspection of your gutters and downspouts
- Clean and close your pool
- Shut down your sprinkler system
- Accumulate firewood
Fall can also be a good time to plant perennials such as tulips or daffodils before the ground freezes.
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Fall indoor maintenance
Inside your home, you’re likely transitioning from your home’s AC to the furnace. The fall season provides a great opportunity to have your furnace serviced by hiring a professional. This may also be a stipulation of your HVAC warranty. But you should also focus on tasks such as:
- Get your chimney cleaned (if you forgot this task last spring)
- Clean lint buildup from the dryer vent
- Check windows and doors for drafts
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Contractors often have more free time during the fall and winter than during the summer. The fall may be an ideal time to complete that remodeling project.
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Winter outdoor maintenance
- Here are some basic tasks to prepare you for the cold and snow:
- Tune up the snow blower (or contact a professional)
- Inspect your home for ice dams, which can cause water damage to your home
- Purchase ice melt (though be careful using it around your pets)
- Drain outdoor faucets to prevent frozen pipes
- Shovel snow as needed
And don’t forget to get out and build a snowman! It’s not crucial for home maintenance, but it’s a great way to spend quality time with the kids.
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Winter indoor maintenance
Inside your home, you should be keeping up with your monthly home maintenance checklist, as well as the following:
- Replace furnace filters monthly
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air in and prevent frozen pipes
- Stock up on food and firewood in the event of a winter storm
If you leave for an extended period, you should set your thermostat at 55 degrees. This helps to prevent frozen pipes or other damage.
Annual home maintenance
There are several regular maintenance tasks that should be completed at least once each year, regardless of the season.
- Deep clean your home twice per year
- Have your HVAC system inspected
- Replace your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries
- Have your chimney cleaned
- Inspect your roof for damage
- Seal your deck
Completing these tasks can make your home safer and more comfortable while also saving you money on costly repair bills.
How to budget for home maintenance
You can budget for home maintenance in two ways. First, set aside 1% to 2% of the purchase price of your home and tap into this account to cover maintenance.
Second, make sure to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected repairs. Ideally, you should have three to six months’ worth of expenses in a separate fund to cover unforeseen expenses.
Is home maintenance tax deductible?
As a general rule, home maintenance projects are not tax deductible. However, energy-efficient improvements may qualify for certain tax breaks.
How to create a low-maintenance home
You can achieve a low-maintenance home in a few simple ways:
- Choose hardwood or laminate floors instead of carpet
- Install metal roofing to prevent leaks
- Use composite materials for siding and deck
- Replace wood windows with fiberglass to prevent warping
- Install quartz countertops to prevent staining
Other technological improvements — such as a central vac system — can also improve the comfort of your home.
