Maintenance Schedule
Consider following a schedule for maintaining your home. A schedule will serves as a reminder of the inspections and maintenance you should perform each month and each season.
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” was never more appropriate than when it comes to maintaining your home.
On the following pages, I’ve put together some maintenance pages that you can print out and use as regular checklists around your home. Use this maintenance schedule as a guide for maintaining your home.
A general maintenance schedule lists tasks to perform once a month or as needed. Seasonal maintenance schedules list tasks to perform in the spring, summer, fall and winter.
Many items listed on the schedules should be inspected as recommended but will need only occasional, if any, maintenance. You will soon develop a feel for what tasks should be performed when.
General Maintenance
Perform every month or as needed
Safety
__ Inspect fire extinguishers to insure they are fully charged.
__ Check automatic garage door opener’s safety reverse.
__ Test smoke detectors.
__ Test Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.
Heating & Cooling
__ Clean or replace air filters when the system is in use for heating or cooling.
__ Vacuum heat registers, vents and radiators.
__ Listen to your system for unusual noises.
Appliances
__ Drain water from the bottom of the water heater.
__ Grind ice cubes to clean garbage disposal. Flush with hot water and baking soda.
__ Clean dishwasher strainer and spray arm.
__ Clean range fan’s grease filter.
__ Clean frost-free refrigerator’s drain and drain pan.
Plumbing
__ Pour water down unused drains.
__ Clean debris from sink and tub drains. Inspect tub drain’s rubber seal. Rinse.
__ Clean faucet aerators and shower heads.
Spring
Exterior
__ Inspect roof materials & roof flashings.
__ Clean & inspect gutters & downspouts.
__ Have a chimney sweep clean & inspect chimney after burning season ends.
__ Inspect & clean siding.
__ Inspect vents, chimneys & other protected areas for bird & insect nests.
__ Clean window & door screens. Repair or replace damaged screens.
__ Inspect weather-stripping around doors, windows & garage doors. Repair as necessary.
__ Inspect caulking & re-caulk as necessary.
__ Inspect foundation for cracks, moisture & insects.
__ Clean debris away from home, utility equipment & other structures.
__ Trim trees & shrubs away from home.
__ Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails.
__ Clean space between boards on wood decks, walks & steps.
Heating & Cooling
__ Have heat pump or air-conditioning system serviced before cooling season begins.
Appliances
__ Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge.
__ Replace smoke detector batteries. Vacuum around smoke detector & its sensor.
Summer
Exterior
__ Clean & lubricate garage door hinges, rollers & tracks. Tighten screws.
__ Inspect paint & sealant on exterior & garage doors, particularly along bottom edge.
Interior
__ Inspect walls & ceilings for cracks, bows, sags & leans.
__ Clean & seal tile grout.
Appliances
__ Tighten garbage disposal’s drain connections & fasteners.
__ Inspect dishwasher for leaks.
__ Clean range fan blades & housing.
__ Clean & test refrigerator door gasket.
__ Vacuum refrigerator coils.
__ Clean clothes washer’s water inlet filters. Inspect hoses for leaks.
__ Vacuum lint from clothes dryer ducts & surrounding areas.
Plumbing
__ Inspect sinks & plumbing shutoff valves for leaks.
__ Test toilets for stability & inspect for leaks.
__ Inspect caulking around sinks, showers & bathtubs. Re-caulk as necessary.
Electrical
__ “Exercise” circuit breakers.
__ Check for frayed appliance cords.
Winter
Exterior
__ Inspect roof after large winter storms.
__ Inspect gutters and downspouts during a rain storm for leaks.
__ Keep gutters clean of ice and debris.
__ Check for drafts along doors and windows. Caulk and repair weather-stripping if necessary.
Appliances
__ Tighten garbage disposal’s drain connections and fasteners.
__ Inspect dishwasher for leaks.
__ Clean range fan blades and housing.
__ Clean and test refrigerator door gasket.
__ Vacuum refrigerator coils.
__ Clean clothes washer’s water inlet filters. Inspect hoses for leaks.
__ Vacuum lint from clothes dryer ducts and surrounding areas.
Plumbing
__ Inspect sinks and plumbing shutoff valves for leaks.
__ Test toilets for stability and inspect for leaks.
__ Inspect caulking around sinks, showers & bathtubs. Re-caulk as necessary.
Electrical
__ “Exercise” circuit breakers.
__ Check for frayed appliance cords.
Fall
Exterior
__ Inspect roof materials & roof flashings.
__ Clean & inspect gutters & downspouts.
__ Inspect siding.
__ Inspect caulking & re-caulk as necessary.
__ Inspect foundation for cracks, moisture & insects.
__ Clean debris away from home, utility equipment & other structures.
__ Trim trees & shrubs away from home.
__ Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails.
__ Clean space between boards on wood decks, walks & steps.
__ Drain water from outdoor faucets & pipes. Remove & store outdoor hoses.
Heating & Cooling
__ Clean ceiling fan blades.
__ Clean bathroom exhaust fan grills & fan blades.
__ Have heating system serviced before the heating season begins.
Appliances
__ Inspect water heater’s temperature pressure relief valve for signs of leaks or discharge.
__ Replace smoke detector batteries. Vacuum around smoke detector & its sensor.
