The Complete Home Maintenance Schedule

🗓️ Monthly Maintenance Routine

• Inspect HVAC Air Filters: Check monthly; replace every 30 to 90 days depending on pet dander, dust, and filter MERV rating. (See our HVAC Maintenance Guide).
• Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Press the test button on each unit to verify sirens and check battery status.
• Inspect Fire Extinguishers: Ensure pressure gauge needle is in the green zone and units are unobstructed.
• Clean Garbage Disposal: Grind ice cubes and citrus peels with running cold water to dislodge grease and buildup.
• Inspect Sump Pump (if applicable): Pour a bucket of water into the basin to ensure the float switch activates and water ejects outside.

🌱 Spring Maintenance Checklist

• Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Remove winter twigs, seeds, and decomposing leaves. Check downspout discharge 5+ feet from foundation. (Read our Gutter Cleaning Guide).
• Service Central Air Conditioner: Clear vegetation around outdoor condenser, straighten cooling fins, and schedule a technician tuneup before summer heat waves.
• Inspect Roof & Attic: Safely inspect roof shingles from the ground for winter storm damage, and check the attic for damp insulation or daylight penetrations.
• Check Window & Door Seals: Inspect exterior caulking around window frames and replace damaged weatherstripping.
• Inspect Exterior Faucets & Hose Bibbs: Turn on exterior water valves to verify no interior pipes froze or cracked over the winter.

☀️ Summer Maintenance Checklist

• Clean Refrigerator Coils: Vacuum lint and pet hair from underneath/behind the unit to improve efficiency and avoid compressor burnouts.
• Deep Clean Dryer Duct: Disconnect dryer exhaust duct and vacuum accumulated lint from the wall conduit to prevent fire hazard.
• Inspect Deck, Patio & Fencing: Check for loose boards, protruding nails, or rot. Seal wooden decks if water no longer beads on the surface.
• Monitor Foundation & Drainage: Verify soil slopes away from the foundation perimeter to prevent water pooling against foundation walls.

🍂 Fall Maintenance Checklist

• Furnace & Heating Tune-Up: Schedule annual inspection for gas burners, heat exchangers, and igniters before cold weather arrives.
• Disconnect Hoses & Winterize Sprinklers: Shut off interior supply valves to exterior spigots, drain remaining water, and blow out sprinkler lines.
• Chimney & Fireplace Inspection: Have a certified sweep inspect flue liners and remove creosote accumulation before first seasonal fire.
• Second Gutter Clearing: Clean gutters once all deciduous leaves have fallen in late autumn to prevent winter ice dams.

❄️ Winter Maintenance Checklist

• Prevent Pipe Freezes: Insulate exposed pipes in unheated basements, crawlspaces, and garages. Keep indoor heat at 55°F or higher during deep freezes.
• Check for Ice Dams: Look for icicles forming along roof eaves, which indicate warm attic air melting snow that refreezes at the gutters.
• Flush Water Heater: Drain 2–3 gallons from the bottom drain valve to remove mineral sediment and prolong tank lifespan. (See our Water Heater Guide).
• Inspect Plumbing Fixtures for Slow Leaks: Look under sinks, around toilets, and behind washing machines for dampness or mildew.