The Essential Home Maintenance Checklist

There are a lot of perks and benefits as a homeowner. That is, until something needs to be fixed or replaced and you realize it’s solely your responsibility to deal with it. Keeping up with regular home maintenance tasks can help you minimize issues and address problems before they lead to larger, more costly fixes. A home maintenance checklist will keep you on schedule to ensure everything in your home stays in good repair.

Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

Some projects only need to be done annually and don’t need to be done during any particular season. An annual house maintenance checklist will help you make sure you don’t forget any of these important maintenance tasks.

Indoors:

• Flush water heater to remove sediment

• Use home decluttering checklist to donate or discard unused or unwanted items

• Clean out crawl space and inspect insulation

• Seal tile and grout

• Recaulk any damaged caulking around sinks and tubs

• Hire pro for termite inspection

Outdoors:

• Inspect and repair driveway and walkways

• Have septic tank emptied and inspected

• Check grade around home and regrade around foundation if necessary

• Inspect foundation for cracks or other flaws

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

Some maintenance is best done each month to ensure everything is in working order. Creating and keeping a maintenance schedule, plus a separate deep-diving cleaning checklist, will make taking care of your home easier. Breaking down big projects into smaller tasks will help reduce costs and time spent, too.

• Make sure air vents aren’t blocked

• Clean garbage disposal

• Clean air filters to minimize pollution and dust

• Check that sink and tub drains are functioning properly and unclog if needed

• Vacuum or dust bathroom exhaust fan

• Clear your dryer duct of lint and debris

• Clean throw rugs to reduce dust in the house, dirt, and allergens

• Degrease and clean stove vent hood

• Go through all the food in the cupboards, pantry, fridge, and freezer and toss any expired items

• Check and clean faucets and showerheads for any mineral deposits or lime buildup

Monthly Home Safety Checklist

Taking care of routine home maintenance on a monthly basis will help prevent problems from cropping up and can help stop unfortunate smells from ruling your home. In addition to monthly home maintenance, there are some monthly home safety items to prioritize as well to ensure the safety and well-being of your family. 

• Check and test all things related to detecting and putting out fire, including carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and smoke alarms

• Inspect electrical cords for damage 

• Replace burned-out light bulbs

• Test exterior door locks

• Test window locks

• Ensure medicines are locked away from children and pets

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Some jobs are seasonal rather than monthly. Here are different home maintenance tasks to complete based on the time of year.

Spring

As the weather slowly becomes warmer, spring is the time to go through the home and get rid of things you’re no longer using. Do a deep spring cleaning and prep your home inside and out for summertime temperatures. A spring home maintenance checklist will keep you on track.

Indoors:

• Deep clean stove and inside oven

• Deep clean freezer and refrigerator and clean coils (remove all items first)

• Empty and deep clean kitchen cabinets

• Reach up high and wipe down refrigerator top, exhaust hood, cupboards, etc.

• Check medicine cabinet for expired medication and cosmetics

• Consider (re)caulking windows and adding weather stripping on doors and windows

Outdoors:

• Clean out downspouts and gutters

• Inspect sprinkler heads for any leaks and ensure they’re functioning properly

• Check AC system and get it serviced by a local HVAC pro (to avoid any surprises in summer)

• Clean AC coils

• Check roof and chimney for any damage

• Install screens for all windows and doors to keep out insects

• Check and service lawnmower

• Paint and repair siding and trim that’s loose or has peeling paint

Summer

During the summer, you likely want to spend more time outdoors and having a good time than worrying about home maintenance and repair. Typically, you’ll spend more time with garden and lawn care, but a summer home maintenance checklist will ensure you don’t miss anything.

Indoors:

• Deep clean freezer and refrigerator and clear out drip trays

• Inspect dishwasher for any leaks

• Clean kitchen hood or fan filter

• Reverse ceiling fan to circulate cooler air

• Clean garage and ensure garage door is functioning properly

• Deep clean carpets

Outdoors:

• Prune and trim trees

• Clean out gutters and downspouts

• Fertilize lawn

• Install water meter to hose to reduce water expenditure

• Clean and repair deck or porch

Fall 

During this season, it can be a great time to get a head start on many fall home maintenance projects, both indoors and outdoors. Make sure you get everything done by using a fall home maintenance checklist.

Indoors:

• Inspect fireplace for any hazards, debris, or damage

• Contact professional to check your fireplace

• Get heater professionally checked out

• Caulk windows and doors to remove cracks or spaces or install weather stripping

• Consider upgrading older windows for glass that’s energy efficient to keep in the warmth

• Check water heater for any leaks or drips

Outdoors:

• Rake leaves in garden and lawn

• Clean out debris from downspouts and gutters

• Drain and put away garden hoses and sprinkler systems

• Prepare faucets and pipes with insulation in unheated areas

Winter

In winter, you’re likely spending a lot more time indoors. Cold weather can pose challenges for the home, including freezing pipes and roof damage. Stay warm all winter long with a winter home maintenance checklist.

Indoors:

• Clean dishwasher 

• Sweep or vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils 

• Check basements or attics for any leaks, especially after snowfall

• Reverse ceiling fans to circulate warmer air

• Clean and organize basement and check for leaks

• Check and repair hardware like handles, knobs, hinges, shelves, and towel racks

Outdoors:

• Check gutters, downspouts, and roof after storm for any damage or leaks

• Protect AC unit with cover

• Install or check hose bibb covers

Lauren David contributed to this piece.