These are checklists that you can use and incorporate into your routine home maintenance plan for your house. They are broken up into seasons.

 

Annually: Hire a home inspector to perform a home maintenance inspection as part of your routine home maintenance plan.

 

In the Spring:

• Check for damage to your roof

• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration

• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer

• Check your water heater

• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged

• Check your fire extinguishers

• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter

• Review your fire escape plan with your family

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

• Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function

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

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

 

In the Summer:

• Check kids playing equipment

• Check your wood deck or concrete patio for deterioration

• Check the nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs

• Check exterior siding

• Check all window and door locks

• Check your home for water leaks

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

 

In the Fall:

• Check your home for water leaks

• Have a heating professional check your heating system every year

• Protect your home from frozen pipes

• Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel is gone

• Test your emergency generator

• Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the flues and check your fireplace damper

• 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

 

In the Winter:

• Clean the gutters and downspouts

• Confirm firewood at least 20 feet away from your home

• Remove screens from windows and install storm windows

• Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main valve and other appliance valves

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

• Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections

• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter

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

• Check your water heater

• Test all AFCI and GFCI devices