Part of being a responsible homeowner is keeping up with regular maintenance to catch little issues before they become big problems. By knocking out seasonal chores each quarter, you can keep your home ship-shape all year long.
This article provides a checklist of essential tasks to tackle in spring, summer, fall and winter so you know what maintenance jobs to focus on month by month.
From checking furnace filters to inspecting the roof, these seasonal to-dos will help you protect your home’s health and wallet whether the weather is warm or cold outside.
Monthly Tasks Checklist
- Filter Check
Give your HVAC filters a once-over each month. Most folks can get away with swapping them every 2-3 months if things aren’t too dusty at home. When they look dirty, replace ’em. Opt for cheaper filters that you can change more often versus expensive ones.
- Sink Scrub
Give that garbage disposal some TLC monthly. Freeze some vinegar in an ice cube tray for a fizzy cleaning. Pop those cubes in and let it whirl – it freshens up the sink and sharpens the blades at the same time. Win-win!
- Hood Sweep
If you haven’t cleaned your range hood filter yet, brace yourself. That thing can get gnarly after a while. A degreasing solution and hot water does the trick. Soak it for a bit, rinse, and call it a day. Your nose will thank you!
- Fire Extinguisher Check
Make sure your extinguisher is easy to grab, pressure is good on the gauge, and there’s no obvious wear and tear. Knowing it’s ready to go gives some peace of mind. Take 2 minutes to inspect it each month.
Quarterly Tasks Checklist
- Detector Check
Push that test button on your smoke and CO alarms every 3 months. If they chirp, you’re good. If not, swap the batteries and test again. Might need a new detector if still no luck – corroded terminals are sneaky.
- Garage Guardian
Every quarter, check that your garage door instantly reverses if something’s in the way. Prop a 2×4 where the door would close – it should stop and reverse after a second. Also test the light sensors. An open/close test keeps your garage safer.
- Flush Out
Run some water in seldom-used sinks, toilets, etc a few times per season. Prevents junk from building up in little-used pipes and fixtures while you’re away.
- Soft Stuff
Every few months, inspect your water softener. Top up the salt if needed – takes just a minute. Keep your water feeling great longer between checks.
Biannually Tasks Checklist
Here are some biannual home maintenance tips:
- Relief Valve Check
Every 6 months, test your water heater’s pressure relief valve by lifting the lever. Prevents mineral buildup that could cause leaks down the line. Keeps it running smoothly.
- Deep Clean Day
Schedule one Saturday per season for an intensive house-wide scrub-a-thon with the whole fam. Polish appliances, dust every nook, mop, vacuum – get rid of grime before it piles up.
- Detector Battery Swap
Swap those smoke/CO alarm batteries twice a year whether they’re chirping or not. Better safe than sorry when it comes to this important safety device. Batteries are cheap insurance.
- Fridge Fan Vac
A fridge repair dude clued me into vacuuming the coils every 6 months. Those puppies can get dusty and make your fridge work overtime. Save up to $100/year keeping it running efficiently. Easy to do.
- Paint Inspection
Checkups every 6 months allow you to catch issues before they worsen. Professional painters recommend examining all exterior surfaces for signs of wear like peeling, cracks or fading that could compromise the underlying material if left unattended. Inspect interiors as well, paying close attention to high-traffic areas.
Consider asking experienced painters and decorators (https://www.painteradam.co.uk/painters-decorators/leeds) to do an evaluation biannually, as their expert eye can detect small problems early. Minor repairs are less costly than a full redo.
Many pros also advise a fresh coat of quality paint every 3-5 years for maximum protection inside and out. Not only does it preserve your investment, but keeps surfaces safe from damage over time. Maintaining that like-new look with routine inspections helps resale value down the road too.
Once a Year (By Season)
There’s no conceivable way to get these all done on the same weekend–so we broke it up by season. How you divide and conquer from there is up to you!
- Spring
As the weather warms up, it’s time to give your home’s exterior some love. Start by checking the exterior drainage around your property to ensure snowmelt and rain have clear paths away from the foundation. Give the gutters a good cleaning too since built-up debris over winter can cause overflow.
Make sure all exterior vents are clear so air can flow freely. Get your air conditioning system serviced and ready to combat summer’s heat. Inspect window screens and repair or replace any that are damaged. Prune away any dead or dying plants and shrubs near your home. If you’re planning any new landscaping additions, early spring is a great time to plant. Check that trees are trimmed back properly to keep branches clear of overhead power lines.
Also, confirm your pest control plan is scheduled to protect against unwanted bugs as temperatures rise. Taking care of these routine spring maintenance tasks will have your home’s exterior ship-shape protected as the warm weather arrives.
- Summer
As the hot weather arrives, it’s a good time to check on your home’s indoor surfaces. Inspect floor and wall tiles for any cracks or loose pieces and make repairs so potential leaks or falls are avoided. Stay on top of any insect issues like ants or spiders by cleaning up food sources and using pest control as needed.
Head outside to give your deck or patio a deep clean, and make any repairs to rails, steps or boards before family gatherings heat up. With more time spent in the garage, don’t forget to give it a sweep too – clean out clutter, inspect for water damage or pest entry points, and organise your tools and storage.
Taking care of small fixes and cleanings around your home’s interior and exterior surfaces will have everything ship shaped and safe as summer temperatures soar.
- Fall
As the leaves begin to change, focus your fall home maintenance indoors and out. Start by flushing your water heater to remove any built-up sediment, ensuring efficient, clean hot water.
Winterize your air conditioning system so it’s protected until spring. Have your furnace or boiler serviced and safety checked to be ready for winter’s chill. Outdoor tasks include flushing sediment from exterior water spigots before insulating and turning them off for the season. Coil up and store hoses and other yard equipment.
If you have a fireplace, schedule your annual chimney cleaning to prevent creosote buildup and fires. Also inspect your driveway and pavement for any cracks or deterioration that should be sealed before freezing temperatures arrive. Tackling these routine fall chores will have your whole home shipshape as the seasons change.
- Winter
As the cold creeps in, protect your home’s interior with a few preventative winter tasks. Tighten any loose doorknobs, cabinet handles or fixture fasteners that may be prone to drafts from temperature changes.
Thoroughly check that all locks and deadbolts on exterior doors and windows are sealing tightly to keep chilly air out. In bathrooms, inspect caulking around tubs and showers for cracks or gaps where water could seep through over time. Remove shower heads too and soak out any built-up mineral deposits so water flows freely without clogging.
Doing these small checks on fixtures and seals will help your home’s systems function efficiently throughout the colder months while also preventing freezing pipes or drafts. Your home will stay cosy and comfortable when the temperatures plummet with minimal winter maintenance.
Conclusion
While staying on top of regular home maintenance may seem like yet another chore, establishing a routine schedule will save you time and money in the long run.
By tackling simple seasonal tasks each quarter, you can catch little issues before they become expensive problems. With our checklist of tasks to guide you through the year, your home will receive the TLC it needs from the inside out. Though some projects may require more elbow grease than others, the payoff is a household that remains in excellent condition with minimal effort.
So don’t put it off – use our seasonal guide to start your preventative home maintenance routine today. Your property and wallet will thank you later for the small, steady care provided through regular seasonal upkeep.
