Seasonal Home Maintenance Schedule

    Regular Maintenance Is the Key

The best way to protect the investment in your home is by regularly inspecting your home, and following good maintenance practices.  With a regular schedule of seasonal maintenance you can prevent the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur. 

Winter

Remove screens from windows and install storm windows

Clean out gutters and downspouts

Check the attic for adequate ventilation

Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter on a monthly basis

Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher

Test all ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets

Make sure air vents indoors and outside (intake, exhaust and forced air) are not blocked by snow or debris

If there are young children in the house, make sure electrical outlets are equipped with safety caps

Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season

After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment and maintain efficiency

Clean humidifier two or three times during the winter season

Vacuum bathroom fan grille

Vacuum radiator grilles on back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays

Check gauge on all fire extinguishers; recharge or replace if necessary

Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around outside of house; ensure family has good security habits

Check all faucets for signs of leaks and proper operation

If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap

Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls

Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are working and to prevent them from seizing

Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks. If found, make a note to repair or replace in the spring

Spring

Replace your furnace filter

Check your electrical switches and outlets

Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage

Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion

Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer

Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilet base

Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries

Check for damage to your roof

Check gutters and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation

Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface

Check the exterior fascia and soffits for deterioration

Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration

Check chimneys for loose, deteriorated, or missing mortar

Check grading for proper slope away from foundation walls

Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure

Check all decks, patios, porch stairs and railings for loose members and deterioration

Check foundation and attic vent screens for damage

Check for any missing, loose, or damaged shingles

Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls

Check all windows and hardware

Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves and exposed lines

Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens

Check screens first and repair or replace if needed

Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed

Repair and paint fences as necessary

Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed

Check air conditioning system and have serviced every two or three years

Clean or replace air conditioning filter (if applicable)

Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary

Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation

Keep trees and shrubs cut back and clear of the sides and roof of your home

Summer

Check all recreational equipment and review outdoor safety tips

Check your wood deck or concrete patio for possible deterioration

Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs

Check exterior siding

Check all window and door locks for proper operation

Check your home for water leaks

Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and blisters

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer

        Fall

Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic to protect from freezing

Check your home for water leaks

Review your fire escape plan with your family

Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs

Have a heating professional check your heating system every year

Replace your furnace filter

Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures

Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Make sure the caulking around doors and windows is adequate to reduce heat/cooling loss

Make sure that the caulking around your bathroom fixtures is adequate to prevent water from seeping into the sub-flooring

Check caulking for deterioration of all openings and joints between wood and masonry

Check weather stripping around windows and doors

Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action, for example, reduce humidity and or insulate cold water pipes

Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary

If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap

Vacuum bathroom fan grille

Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside

Check security of all guardrails and handrails

Check smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required

Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes and replace if needed

Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as needed

Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it is operating properly

Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain, etc. and ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted

Check and replace damaged caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and the house

Inspect electrical service and phone lines for secure attachment where they enter your house (if applicable)

Check for and seal off any holes in exterior siding or trim that could be an entry point for small pests or insects

Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration; clean, replace or refinish as needed

Sweep chimneys connected to any woodburning appliance or fireplace, and inspect them for end-of-season problems

Check the chimney cap, make sure it’s secure

Repair driveway and walkways as needed

Repair any damaged steps that present a safety problem

Check all window and door locks for proper operation