A Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Homeowner

As the seasons change, it's necessary to adjust your home maintenance routine to ensure you keep your property in tip-top condition.

A seasonal checklist includes a variety of maintenance tasks to keep your home in proper working order throughout the year. If you don't follow a checklist, your home may suffer damage and diminish its value.

According to Joe Meisinger, Chief Underwriting Officer at Travelers, in recent years, 32% of all home claims received were made during the spring. Consequently, household chores during spring primarily focus on preparing for changes in weather patterns and cleaning up damage caused during the cold weather.

This is only one example of how seasonal maintenance checklists differ from season to season. With regular maintenance and by following a seasonal checklist, you can prevent the need for home interior and exterior repairs, save yourself hundreds of dollars, and keep your home looking its best year-round.

As a homeowner, maintaining your home can be daunting. So, we have compiled a handy seasonal home maintenance checklist that you can use anytime.

Monthly Home Checklist to Keep Your Home at Best!

The start of a new month is a great time to establish some updated routines. A monthly home checklist can keep your property in top condition and help you catch any problems early on.

Complete these seven quick tasks each month to maintain a spotless home:

Clean & Inspect the Refrigerator Door Seals

Refrigerator door seals must be cleaned and inspected to ensure that the cold air inside the refrigerator stays inside and the warm air outside stays outside. Dirty or damaged seals may allow cold air to escape and warm air to enter, resulting in increased energy consumption and reduced refrigerator efficiency.

Use warm water, a sponge dipped in dishwashing liquid, and a soft cloth to clean refrigerator door seals.

Vacuum Carpets

Carpet vacuum cleaners remove dirt, dust, and other allergens from the carpet's surface. This can be beneficial for those susceptible to allergies and asthma, as it can help improve the air quality in the home.

You should vacuum your carpet once a month or more frequently if you live in a high-traffic area prone to more pollutants. Vacuum lint can be disposed of in the trash or composted if made of organic materials.

Clean Drains

A clogged drain can cause problems such as water damage, foul odors, and the buildup of grease, hair, or other debris that impede drainage.

Maintaining and inspecting your pipes for leaks regularly will prevent you from dealing with unexpected plumbing costs.

Replace Your Air Filters Often

Air filters play an active role in keeping your home's air clean. They remove dust, pollen, and other pollutants from the air, which keeps them from circulating throughout your home. If you don't replace your air filters often, they'll become clogged and unable to do their job.

We recommend changing at a minimum of every three months, but depending on your home, you may need to change more often. The best way to think about it is that every time the seasons change, you should be putting in new air filters. Changing out your air filter regularly will also help you save money on your energy bills.

Wash the Dishwasher Screen

Dishwasher screens are mesh filters that sit at the bottom of the dishwasher and catch large food particles and other debris from entering the drain.

The bottom spray arm of your dishwasher may contain a filter that needs regular cleaning. Over time, this screen can become clogged with food particles and grease, so be sure to check it.

Empty the Dehumidifier in the Basement

A dehumidifier is a wise investment for most homeowners, as it keeps mold and dust mites away by consistently maintaining your home's humidity levels at 30-50%. You should empty the dehumidifier when it becomes full of water.

Moisture produced by cracked foundations and leaking pipes can also increase humidity levels in poorly insulated basements. Ensure that the humidity levels of your basement and first floor are not more than 10% different.

Clean Kitchen Bins Regularly

You should regularly clean kitchen bins to avoid the accumulation of food debris and bacteria, which can cause illness. Additionally, cleaning your bins can help keep your kitchen smelling fresh and prevent foul-smelling sludge that attracts insects and bugs.

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

By creating a seasonal home maintenance checklist, you can better prepare for potential problems that may arise throughout the year.

With the help of Better Homes and Gardens and House Method, we have compiled the ultimate guide on the essential maintenance tasks to be performed at home during each season:

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to consider spring cleaning and home maintenance.

• Make sure all outdoor faucets are leak-free and in proper working order.
• Turn off your sprinklers and reopen your outdoor faucets.
• If the shutoff valve for the main water supply line isn't working correctly, check to see if leaks exist and fix them immediately.
• Have a professional inspect your roof leaks or damages after a major storm.
• Call an HVAC professional for an air conditioning inspection.
• Maintain sidewalks and driveways by repairing cracks, breaks, and uneven surfaces.
• Check that your fire extinguisher stays accessible and operable.
• Ensure lint buildup is removed from dryer vents, dampers, and corners under the dryer to prevent fire hazards.
• Replace worn-out or damaged extension cords to prevent a fire.
  
  

 

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

In the summer, many homeowners take extended vacations and leave their homes unattended. Before you go, carry out your home maintenance tasks to ensure that your home is safe and in good condition.

• Inspect your home for signs of leaks.
• Ensure the exterior of your house is free of cracks or damage.
• Check playground and recreational equipment for damage that needs to be repaired.
• Keep your outdoor spaces protected against moisture damage by checking for deterioration and sealing them if necessary.
• Make sure a tree service professional cuts any trees that pose a danger to your house.
• Make sure all of your window and door locks are functioning properly.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

With the temperature dropping, now's the time to ensure your home is prepared to withstand cold, wet weather.

• Clean clogged gutters and look for damaged and loose shingles on the roof.
• Prevent frozen pipes by emptying sprinklers and covering exterior pipes to prevent them from bursting in winter weather.
• Make sure you’ve mowed your lawn and winterized your garden, bringing plants inside during cold weather to avoid frost damage.
• Gas-powered lawn equipment should be fuel-emptied to prevent damage.
• Have a chimney inspection to ensure that the flue and vent system is clean.
• Drain, clean, and protect your swimming pool from freezing.
• Caulk or seal around doors and windows to keep cold air out.
• Invest in a waterproof cover for your air conditioning unit.
• Keep the dryer vents, dampers, and under the dryers free of lint buildup to prevent fires.
• Make sure all major household appliances are clean.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

The winter months can be harsh on your home. From the cold weather outside to the moisture and humidity indoors, your home needs some extra attention during this time of year.

• You should check the basement for leaks when it thaws.
• Inspect your water tank for leaks as well.
• Make sure your roof, gutters, and downspouts are free of water leaks and ice dams following a storm.
• A professional should check for any signs of mold or mildew inside your kitchen exhaust hood.
• The drip pans in the refrigerator and freezer need to be cleaned, and the coils need to be vacuumed.
• Christmas lights and decor intended for outdoor use must be securely attached and properly labeled.

Importance of Performing Home Maintenance Regularly

We understand that home maintenance can be a hassle. Couldn't you put it off until tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year?

You may want to rethink that. Maintaining your home is not only about keeping it in excellent condition but also about protecting your investment. You may set yourself up for thousands of dollars in future repairs by neglecting home maintenance.

Regular home maintenance is critical for the following reasons.

Saves Money

Scheduling regular check-ups for your appliances, plumbing, and other systems can help you catch minor problems before they become big ones. By taking a proactive approach to home maintenance, you can save both money and hassle in the long run.

Improves the Quality of Life at Home

Leaving your water heater, air conditioner, and other appliances in disarray will not make for a comfortable living environment. Simple tasks such as replacing your air filter or checking your roof for leaks can also help you avoid more costly repairs later on.

Adds to Market Value

Your home is an investment. Performing regular home maintenance, such as applying a fresh coat of paint, preventing leaks and cracks, and maintaining curb appeal, can help increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Prolongs the Life of Home Appliances

Home appliances make our lives easier by doing all the work for us. Regular home maintenance on your appliances, like keeping them clean and fixing leaks, will significantly extend their lifespan.

Increases Home Safety

Inspecting your home regularly for safety hazards keeps your family safe. You can avoid dangerous and costly accidents down the road by taking care of small repairs and tasks as they arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Home Maintenance Schedule?

A home maintenance schedule is a plan that outlines the specific tasks you need to do in order to maintain a home. Ultimately, this helps homeowners stay on top of their home's upkeep and avoid costly repairs down the road.

What is a Home Maintenance Checklist?

A home maintenance checklist lists items that should be regularly checked and maintained to keep a home in good working order. The items on the checklist may vary depending on the season and other factors. 

What are the Best Home Maintenance Tips for Summer?

The best home maintenance tips for summer include indoor tasks such as oiling the garage door opener and chain, the garage door itself, and all hinges.

What are Common Winter Damages?

Cold temperatures can cause various problems, with the most common winter damages being water lines that freeze or burst and roofs that sustain impairment from heavy snowfall.

What Should I Do After a Storm?

Immediately following a storm, clean up any debris in your yard and check your roof, gutters, and drain lines for damage. Be sure to report any damage to your insurance company.

Final Thoughts

With our seasonal home maintenance checklist, we hope to have helped you breathe easier and make home maintenance more manageable. If you are interested in learning more about improving the overall quality of your home, feel free to visit our blog.

A top priority on the maintenance checklist is replacing your air filters to protect your home from dust, dirt, and pollen that can affect your health and comfort.

Check out Airzey, the premier air filter provider equipped with nanofiber technology and high-capacity MERV 13 filters. You can also purchase air filters in bundles or subscriptions to suit your needs.

Keeping your indoor air quality at its best for you and your family is easy with Airzey. Come check us out today!