If we had the option to choose, not many of us would spend a Sunday on a ladder pulling leaves out of the gutter. However, for most Americans, their home is their biggest investment. So, maintaining it becomes a must. For many, this is a daunting task. Especially to new homeowners that have never even seen a boiler, let alone drained it. But, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With our year-round home maintenance checklist, it can be a breeze.
You need to understand that the home operates with the seasons. It comes to life with spring and hunkers down for the winter. If you follow all the steps we prepared for you and stay on top of small things, you won’t have any problems throughout the year. And it will work even if you didn’t follow our tips to protect yourself when buying your first home, and bought a house that needs a lot of maintenance.
Some of the things from our year-round home maintenance checklist you’ll be able to do on your own, while for others you’ll need professional help. Alt tag: Professionals doing maintenance and talking about year-round home maintenance checklist.
Winter maintenance tasks
Most people aren’t fans of cold weather. So, they hunker down during these months and just wait for spring to arrive. However, before you can go into your hibernation mode, there are a few things you need to do.
- Check for ice dams. If you aren’t familiar with the term, an ice dam is a ridge of ice that can build up at the bottom of a roof. It traps snow and melting water behind it, so sometimes this water infiltrates the roof.
- See if you have any drafts. If you want to keep your heating bills low, make sure that there’s no cold air slipping in around doors and windows in your house.
- Test your sump pump. If you have a pump that keeps the water out of your basement, switch it on and pour a little water into the crock to make sure it starts. Most basement leaks occur during spring thaws, so ensuring the pump works is crucial.
- Protect your summer belongings. Space is a real issue in many homes these days, so lots of homeowners keep the items they use during summer in garages. The best way to protect this stuff is to clean the area it’ll be stored at. So, find some professionals that can help with deep cleaning and get on the task.
Spring checklist
Even if you’re in an area that receives little to no snowfall, winter can be tough on your home. So, naturally, there are quite a few things to cross of the checklist when spring finally arrives.
- A roof inspection is the first thing you want to do. The buildup of ice and snow can damage shingles, which could lead to leaks. Use binoculars and visually check everything. However, don’t climb onto your roof. This is a task for professionals.
- Inspect sidewalks and driveway. Freezing temperatures can cause lots of cracks and buckles on a concrete substrate. If you find any on parameters of your residence, make sure to repair them before they become major issues.
- HVAC checkup. Always have your system tuned up before it’s time to start using air conditioning. There are many reasons why you must go for air duct cleaning, and this is another task where you should call professionals. Many companies will offer discounts if you sign maintenance agreements, so make sure to utilize that.
Checking your roof is a thing you should do pretty much every season. Alt tag: Roof.
Summer home maintenance
Summer is a time for vacation and relaxation. So, you probably have plans for golf outgoings or lounging by the pool. However, make sure to keep some time in store for your home. This is a part of the year-round home maintenance checklist that you definitely shouldn’t neglect.
- Trim around HVAC units. The efficiency of your outdoor units can be affected by grass and weeds growing around them. And not only that, your expensive system can even get damaged by these.
- Inspect the decks around your home. It doesn’t matter if you lived in the same home for years, or you just moved with a reliable moving company like State to State Move, if the wood on your decks is beginning to show its age, it’s time to apply a coat of stain or sealant.
- Wash siding. Summer is the ideal time to pressure wash vinyl or fiber cement siding. While you’re doing this, check for cracks, soft spots, or any other sign of trouble.
- Check the lawn irrigation system. Lots of houses on the market nowadays have underground irrigation systems. If you purchased one of these, make sure that there are no leaks in the pipes or connections. These can make your water bill skyrocket.
Fall maintenance checklist
And the last season we need to talk about is also a fun one. However, before you dive in carving pumpkins or watching football, take a few hours to take care of these maintenance tasks.
- Schedule an HVAC system inspection. If you’re going to heat your home with your HVAC unit, it’s obligatory to have a qualified mechanic inspect it and ensure that it’s ready to work throughout the winter.
- Turn off the outside hose. If you don’t want any frost or frozen exterior faucets, shut off their water supply and drain lines before winter starts. And while you’re there, it’s a good idea to roll up hoses and store them somewhere safe.
- Clean gutters and check your roof. Once again, you need to check your roof to make sure there are no holes or weak spots in it before the rain starts. Also, gutter cleaning is a very important job that mustn’t be forgotten.
- Check the fireplace. Before you start your first fire of the season, make sure to have a professional come and inspect any wood stoves or fireplaces you have. There are more than 22,000 chimney fires each year in America, and one good clean is all you need to keep your home out of statistics.
Always turn off the outside hose before winter and freezing temperatures start. Alt tag: Hose on the wall.
Keep your home safe and secure for a lifetime
If you’re planning to live in your home for a long time, this year-round home maintenance checklist will help you keep it in the right shape. Some things you’ll have to do more often, while others you do just once a year. However, none of these is too big of an issue. It’s not difficult to keep your home in top condition.
