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John F. Kennedy once said that “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” He’s not wrong. The dream of home ownership comes at not only a financial cost, but one of responsibility, as well. Buyers of new-construction homes can easily become lulled into thinking that their new homes are maintenance-free, as everything is brand new and working smoothly. The way to keep things that way is to get into the habit of performing regular maintenance–while the sun is shining. Stave off homeowner overwhelm by breaking down routine maintenance tasks into manageable jobs. We’ll get you started with this list of basics, broken down into bite-sized pieces:
Monthly
- Inspect, and change (if necessary) HVAC filters in furnace or A/C
- Clean kitchen sink and disposal by filling the sink with water and a few tablespoons of baking soda or vinegar. Pull the plug in the sink and run the disposal while the water drains. The force of the water draining helps to clear the drain, and the baking soda keeps the disposal fresh.
- Clean range hood filters (more frequently if you cook often).
- Inspect fire extinguisher(s).
- Inspect grout and caulking in tubs and showers and repair if needed to prevent water seepage.
Quarterly
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Test garage door auto-reverse feature by placing a 2″ x 4″ board under the door to see if the door automatically reverses when reaching it.
- Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces, such as guest rooms
- Check water softener, add salt if needed
Twice a Year
- Test the water heater pressure relief valve. This not only helps prevent mineral and corrosion build-up (which can lead to leaks), but it also helps the water heater run more efficiently, saving you money in the long run.
- Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils. Check the appliance manual (most all can be found online) to verify the location of the coils in your refrigerator; they are either on the back of the unit or underneath it. Unplug the refrigerator and use a long-handled coil brush to remove dust and lint from around the coils. Vacuum up any debris.
- Deep-clean the house! (Yes, that includes the icky jobs like window washing and oven-cleaning).
Annually
- Spring
- Check the home’s exterior for adequate and unblocked drainage
- Clean out gutters
- Inspect the exterior of home for cracks, overgrowth of landscaping, blocked ventilation access, etc.
- Service air conditioning or swamp cooler units
- Repair and / or replace damaged window screens
- Clear dead plants and shrubs from the yard
- Check trees for interference with overhead power lines (if you have those in your neighborhood)
- Inspect roofing for damage, leaks, etc. (or hire someone to do so)
- Summer
- Inspect plumbing for leaks, clean faucet aerators
- Look for evidence of any insect infestations and take remediation steps
- Clean and repair / repaint deck and patio as needed
- Clean out window wells of debris
- Check and clean dryer vent and other exhaust vents to exterior of home
- Clean, organize, and sweep out garage
- Fall
- Flush hot water heater to remove sediment
- Winterize air conditioning system, including covering up of external AC or swamp cooler units
- Have furnace serviced by HVAC professional
- Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets and sprinkler system
- Have chimney cleaned
- Test sump pump to ensure proper function
- Check driveway for cracks
- Check winter supplies and gear, such as snow shovels, snow blower, sand or ice melt compound, etc., and replenish as necessary
- Winter
- Regularly check exterior of home for ice dams and icicles and remove promptly
- Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc.
- Check all locks and deadbolts on doors and windows
- Remove showerheads and clean out sediment
- Deep-clean and inspect basement for evidence of moisture or pest/rodent intrusion
