Seasonal home maintenance checklist

Going through a home maintenance checklist is not the way most of us want to spend a Saturday. “I can’t wait to flush out the hot water heater today,” said no one, ever. But for most of us, our home is our biggest investment. Maintaining it is a must. Let leaves fill the gutters or paint flake off the shutters, and you could end up with big repair bills.

Home maintenance can feel overwhelming, especially for a first-time homeowner who is accustomed to the landlord doing that work. But it doesn’t have to be daunting. Plan on doing one set of small chores by the month ­and other chores by the season. Follow this natural pattern all year long, stay on top of the little stuff and your house will run smoothly.

Seasonal home maintenance checklist

Download our Home Maintenance Checklist PDF to print and hang on your fridge or in an easy-to-access spot so you can easily reference this list year-round.

Monthly to-do items

Clean your furnace filter. Clean filters help your HVAC run more efficiently, lessening the wear and tear on the system. This can also help you avoid expensive repairs and cleaning costs. You may want to replace your filters monthly or every few months depending on factors like whether you have allergies or pets, and the quality of the filter.

Vacuum heat registers and vents. Dirt, dust and debris collect in registers, which obstructs airflow and makes your HVAC work harder to maintain the temperature indoors.

Test smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Your home is your biggest investment. Make sure the tools that protect it from a fire are working.

Inspect electrical cords for wear. If the rubber coating wears off or cracks, cords become a fire hazard.

Clean the garbage disposal. Grind ice cubes, then flush with hot water and baking soda to remove food buildup that can damage the device.

Clean faucet aerators and showerheads. Mineral deposits from tap water build up and lower the water flow. Remove the aerators and soak them overnight in vinegar, then scrub with an old toothbrush.

Inspect the outside of your home. Keep an eye out for loose roof shingles, damaged siding, cracked bricks, driveway or sidewalk cracks, insects and overgrown trees or shrubs. Call a pro to correct any problems you find.

Spring

Inspect the trees. If you see lots of dead branches on a tree, or a tree hasn’t sprouted spring leaves like it should, call a certified arborist who can look for illness and catch a problem before it kills the tree. You also don’t want a tree weakened by illness to fall on your house.

Clean the gutters. Gutters control the flow of rainwater and snowmelt on your house, protecting your roof, walls and foundation. Clogged gutters can cause a roof to leak or water to get into your house. Clean them at least twice a year — more often if a lot of trees hang over your roof.

Freshen the exterior paint. If you see peeling, chipping or flaking paint, you may need a touch-up or full new coat of paint. Get the painting done now before summer’s heavy rains and high temperatures damage exposed surfaces.

Check the HVAC. Call an HVAC tech to do a bi-annual checkup and service of your system. They should check ductwork for any damage and clean and service the furnace and A/C compressor.

Clean ducts and vents. Call a pro to remove the accumulated dirt, dust — and if you have indoor pets ­— dog or cat hair from the system. Your HVAC won’t have to work as hard if the ducts are unobstructed, extending its life.