Experts suggest you should budget between 1% and 4% of the value of your house for annual maintenance costs to protect your investment. The newer the house the less you’ll need. The older the house, the more you’ll need.
Home maintenance may feel like a chore, but with the right checklist, you’ll know you are protecting your investment. Here’s the essential home maintenance checklist.
Monthly and Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist
Your home maintenance schedule need not become a millstone around your neck. If you schedule some time every month you can work on the basis that little and often is painless. Failing to do the routine monthly maintenance tasks can lead to a breakdown or crisis that will take much more time and expense.
Monthly Maintenance
The monthly maintenance tasks are largely preventative maintenance. Repeating them every month means you’ll get very efficient at it and soon they’ll take very little time to complete.
Start with your furnace. Clean the filter to remove any dust or fluff. This improves efficiency and reduces the risk of fire.
If you have a water softener, check the salt level and replenish it if necessary.
Plumping maintenance includes cleaning the aerators on all faucets and cleaning showerheads too. Remove any mineral deposits or limescale. Check the drains on the tub and sinks and clear them so they flow freely.
Safety test smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and circuit interrupters. Check electrical cords for wear. Vacuum out vents and heat registers to prevent blockages or fire risks.
Remove any sediment from the water heater by flushing out the system. Grind ice cubes in the garbage disposal and flush it through with a solution of baking soda. Clean lint from washing and drying machines.
Spring Maintenance
As the winter gives way to spring, you may feel the urge to spring clean. Cleaning is a good maintenance activity but be careful that you don’t superficially clean without addressing fundamental maintenance tasks.
Check that winter weather has not damaged the roof. Any loose or missing shingles should be replaced immediately. Check that there are no leaks and if there are any trace the source and resolve the cause.
Give window and door screens a thorough clean and inspect them for damage. Carry out repairs immediately. Clean windows and siding and decks.
This may be a good time to refinish the deck ready for use. Repair damaged caulking around external doors and windows. Do the same for internal caulking around sinks, showers, and baths.
Leaves and other debris can build up in gutters and downspouts over winter. Ladder safety is a consideration with 164,000 injuries a year in the U.S. This may be a task you would rather leave to the professionals so try this company.
A professional check on any septic tank, chimney and air-conditioning is also a good idea. Fit new batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
Summer Maintenance
Summer maintenance tasks can be kept to a minimum. You should be enjoying the weather not doing too many chores. Here are the essential summer tasks.
Oil the garage door. Check and replace the exterior faucet washers if they are worn. Clean any exterior vents.
Clean the kitchen fan filter. Clean the freezer and refrigerator coils and empty the drip trays. Check for any leaks around the dishwasher and the kitchen cabinets.
Check the bathroom plumbing including around the cabinets and toilets. Clean and seal tile grout.
Summer is a time for pests to invade your home. Check everywhere for ants, mice, and other bugs. Act to prevent a small problem from becoming bigger.
Fall Maintenance
Preparing for winter in the fall is much easier than fixing things during bad weather. It’s all about preventing problems developing.
Have professional inspection and servicing of heating and air-conditioning systems carried out. Make sure chimneys and flues are in good working order.
Check and repair any damage to windows, doors, and siding. You may need to replace the weather-strip or caulk.
Check the roofing. Replace any damaged or missing shingles. Check for and have any leaks repaired.
Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris. Remove any leaves that have built up in corners or around the house.
Drain any exterior plumbing of water including hoses and sprinklers. If necessary, insulate exterior faucets and pipes.
Give the inside of your home a thorough clean. Including the carpets and drapes. Clean the dryer vent.
Winter Maintenance
Much of winter maintenance is about keeping a watch for problems. If temperatures go below freezing monitor the plumbing.
Check outside faucets are shut off and fully drained if freezing temperatures are expected. Check external pipe insulation remains in place. Put a cover on your air-conditioning unit.
It may be necessary to keep cabinets open under sinks to allow warmer air to flow. Running the faucet slightly to keep water moving can prevent pipes freezing.
Be prepared for winter storms. Have emergency supplies, equipment and fuel prepared. Keeping your home well heated and watertight during winter storms will help prevent damage.
During periods of thaw check that there are no leaks. After storms check roofing and gutters for damage. Carry out repairs as soon as possible.
It’s still important to continue maintenance of indoor appliances. Clean freezer and refrigerator coils and drip trays. Make sure kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are clear and in good working order.
Clean the drains from sinks, showers, dishwashers, and tubs. Make sure the wastewater is clearing completely.
Think of the Dollars You’re Saving
When you carry-out your monthly and seasonal maintenance chores you may need a little motivation. The first time you complete your monthly checklist it might give you a sense of achievement. After several months this is likely to wear off.
How do you stay motivated? Consider how much money you have invested in your home and take a little time to estimate the cost of major plumbing or roofing repairs. This might be all you need to stay focused and conscientious about your home maintenance checklist.
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