Home maintenance checklist: spring, fall and year-round

Spring home maintenance checklist

23 jobs whose window opens between late winter to early summer, in the order they come up.

• Trim trees and shrubs away from the roof and walls

  Feb–Mar · once a year

  Branches on the roof abrade shingles and drop the debris that clogs gutters; shrubs against the wall trap moisture and give pests a path in.

  Skip it: An afternoon vs roof damage and a fallen limb in a storm. $100–1,000 at stake

• Book the pre-season AC / heat pump service

  Mar–May · once a year · if you have central air or AC · usually a job for a pro

  A technician checks refrigerant charge, electrical connections and the coil before the first hot week, when every company is booked solid and emergency rates apply.

  Skip it: A $100-200 tune-up vs a $2,000-7,000 compressor or full replacement years early. $1,000+ at stake

• Check downspouts discharge well away from the house

  Mar–May · once a year · if you have gutters

  Most wet basements and foundation cracks trace back to roof water dumped right at the wall. Extensions are the cheapest waterproofing there is.

  Skip it: A $10 extension vs a $5,000-15,000 foundation or basement waterproofing job. $1,000+ at stake

• Check the basement for moisture and cracks

  Mar–May · every 6 months · if you have a basement

  Below-grade problems start small and hidden: efflorescence on the wall, a musty smell, a new hairline crack. Caught early they are sealant; later they are excavation.

  Skip it: A torch and ten minutes vs mold remediation or foundation repair. $1,000+ at stake

• Check the ground slopes away from the foundation

  Mar–May · once a year

  Soil settles toward the house over time and sends every rain against the foundation. Regrading with a few bags of soil beats a waterproofing contractor.

  Skip it: A few bags of soil vs a wet basement and foundation repairs. $1,000+ at stake

• Clean gutters and downspouts

  Mar–May · every 6 months · if you have gutters

  Clogged gutters overflow against the fascia and down the wall, rot the trim, and dump water at the foundation. In freezing climates they also feed ice dams.

  Skip it: An afternoon vs rotted fascia, a wet basement or a roof leak from an ice dam. $1,000+ at stake

• Have a termite / pest inspection

  Mar–May · once a year · where there’s a humid or rainy season · usually a job for a pro

  In warm, humid climates termites eat structural wood from the inside for years without a visible sign. An annual inspection is the only early warning.

  Skip it: A $75-150 inspection vs structural repairs in the thousands. $1,000+ at stake

• Inspect the attic: leaks, insulation, pests

  Mar–May · every 6 months

  The attic shows a roof leak, a bathroom fan venting into the insulation, or a squirrel, months before any of them reaches the living space.

  Skip it: Twenty minutes vs a rotted roof deck or a pest infestation. $1,000+ at stake

• Inspect the deck: boards, fasteners, ledger

  Mar–May · once a year · if you have a deck

  Most deck collapses start at the ledger board where it meets the house, or at rusted fasteners. Loose railings are the injury risk.

  Skip it: A walk-around vs a failed ledger or a railing that gives way. $1,000+ at stake

• Inspect the roof from the ground

  Mar–May · every 6 months

  Missing or lifted shingles, moss and sagging spots are visible with binoculars long before the ceiling stain appears.

  Skip it: A look vs a leak into insulation and drywall. $1,000+ at stake

• Start the irrigation and check every head

  Mar–May · once a year · if you have sprinklers

  A broken or misaimed head wastes water all season and can flood a foundation corner or the neighbor's driveway without anyone noticing.

  Skip it: An hour vs a water bill spike and a soggy foundation. $100–1,000 at stake

• Check roof flashing and pipe vent boots

  Apr–Jun · once a year

  Rubber vent boots crack after ten years and flashing sealant dries out; these, not shingles, are where most roof leaks start.

  Skip it: A $20 boot vs a leak that follows the pipe into a bathroom wall. $100–1,000 at stake

• Clear and rinse the outdoor condenser unit

  Apr–Jun · once a year · if you have central air or AC

  Leaves, grass clippings and cottonwood fluff on the coil make the unit work harder and can trip it on hot days.

  Skip it: Free vs 10-20% higher cooling bills and a shorter compressor life. $100–1,000 at stake

• Flush the AC condensate drain line

  Apr–Sep · every 3 months · if you have central air or AC

  Algae clogs the drain line; the pan overflows and the water goes into the ceiling or the furnace cabinet. Most 'AC leak' calls are this.

  Skip it: A cup of vinegar vs a $300-1,000 ceiling or floor repair. $100–1,000 at stake

• Inspect exterior paint and trim for peeling

  Apr–Jun · once a year

  Bare wood absorbs water and rots within a season or two. Touching up early is a brush; waiting is a carpenter.

  Skip it: An hour of touch-up vs replacing rotted trim. $100–1,000 at stake

• Open the pool for the season

  Apr–May · once a year · where winters freeze · if you have a pool

  Balancing the water and checking the pump and filter before the first swim avoids algae blooms and equipment burning out dry.

  Skip it: A weekend vs a green pool and a burnt pump. $100–1,000 at stake

• Reverse ceiling fan direction for the season

  Apr–May · every 6 months

  Counter-clockwise pushes air down in summer; clockwise on low pulls warm air off the ceiling in winter. It lets you set the thermostat a couple of degrees further.

  Skip it: Free vs a few percent on every heating and cooling bill. under ~$100 at stake

• Walk the foundation for cracks and movement

  Apr–Jun · once a year

  Hairline cracks are normal; cracks that widen, step, or let water in are not. A yearly photo of each crack tells you which kind you have.

  Skip it: A walk vs a foundation repair caught years late. $1,000+ at stake

• Wash the siding and check for damage

  Apr–Jun · once a year

  Washing removes mold and grime that hold moisture against the wall, and it is the moment you spot cracked boards, loose panels and open gaps.

  Skip it: A weekend vs water behind the siding and rotted sheathing. $100–1,000 at stake

• Check indoor humidity and run dehumidifiers

  May–Sep · once a year · where there’s a humid or rainy season

  Indoor humidity above 60% feeds mold, dust mites and wood rot; a $10 hygrometer tells you if the basement or bathrooms are the problem.

  Skip it: A hygrometer vs mold remediation. $100–1,000 at stake

• Clean and reseal the deck

  May–Aug · every 2 years · if you have a deck

  Unsealed wood grays, splinters and soaks up water; boards cup and rot years earlier than sealed ones.

  Skip it: A weekend and a can of sealer vs replacing boards or the whole deck. $1,000+ at stake

• Clean the pool filter and check the pump

  May–Sep · every month · if you have a pool

  A dirty filter makes the pump run hot and the water cloudy. Skimmer baskets full of leaves starve the pump.

  Skip it: Fifteen minutes vs a $400-800 pump. $100–1,000 at stake

• Prepare for storm season

  May–Jun · once a year · where there’s a humid or rainy season

  The things that fail in a big storm are the ones nobody checked in the calm: loose gutters, dead flashlight batteries, a generator that will not start.

  Skip it: An hour vs uninsured damage and a dark house. $1,000+ at stake

Fall home maintenance checklist

19 jobs whose window opens between late summer to early winter, in the order they come up.

• Have the chimney inspected and swept

  Aug–Oct · once a year · if you have a fireplace or wood stove · usually a job for a pro

  Creosote in the flue is fuel for a chimney fire; a blocked or cracked flue sends carbon monoxide into the house. Every fire-safety body recommends a yearly inspection.

  Skip it: A $150-300 sweep vs a chimney fire. $1,000+ at stake

• Renew caulk around windows, doors and trim

  Aug–Oct · once a year

  Caulk shrinks and cracks; the gaps let water into the wall and cold air into the room. Doing it in dry weather before winter pays off on the heating bill immediately.

  Skip it: A $6 tube vs rotted sills and drafts all winter. $100–1,000 at stake

• Bleed radiators and check boiler pressure

  Sep–Oct · once a year · if you have a boiler and radiators

  Trapped air leaves radiators cold at the top and makes the boiler cycle. Ten minutes restores full heat and lowers the gas bill.

  Skip it: Free vs cold rooms and 5-10% wasted fuel all winter. under ~$100 at stake

• Book the pre-winter furnace / boiler service

  Sep–Nov · once a year · if you have a furnace or a boiler and radiators · usually a job for a pro

  The burner, heat exchanger and safety controls are checked before the first cold night. A cracked heat exchanger leaks carbon monoxide; a service catches it.

  Skip it: A $100-200 service vs an emergency call in January and a real CO risk. $1,000+ at stake

• Check the basement for moisture and cracks

  Sep–Nov · every 6 months · if you have a basement

  Below-grade problems start small and hidden: efflorescence on the wall, a musty smell, a new hairline crack. Caught early they are sealant; later they are excavation.

  Skip it: A torch and ten minutes vs mold remediation or foundation repair. $1,000+ at stake

• Check weatherstripping and window seals

  Sep–Nov · once a year · where winters freeze

  Drafts around doors and windows are the largest single heat loss in most houses, and fogging between panes means a failed seal.

  Skip it: $20 of weatherstripping vs 10-20% on the heating bill. $100–1,000 at stake

• Close and winterize the pool

  Sep–Oct · once a year · where winters freeze · if you have a pool

  Water left in the pump, filter and lines freezes and cracks them; a proper close-down also means a clean pool in spring.

  Skip it: An afternoon vs cracked plumbing and a new pump. $1,000+ at stake

• Inspect the attic: leaks, insulation, pests

  Sep–Nov · every 6 months

  The attic shows a roof leak, a bathroom fan venting into the insulation, or a squirrel, months before any of them reaches the living space.

  Skip it: Twenty minutes vs a rotted roof deck or a pest infestation. $1,000+ at stake

• Inspect the roof from the ground

  Sep–Nov · every 6 months

  Missing or lifted shingles, moss and sagging spots are visible with binoculars long before the ceiling stain appears.

  Skip it: A look vs a leak into insulation and drywall. $1,000+ at stake

• Replace thermostat batteries, check schedule

  Sep–Nov · once a year · if you have central air or AC or a furnace or a boiler and radiators

  A dead thermostat battery is the most common reason a house wakes up cold. The schedule review pays for itself in a month.

  Skip it: $5 of batteries vs a no-heat night and a service call for nothing. under ~$100 at stake

• Winterize the irrigation system

  Sep–Nov · once a year · where winters freeze · if you have sprinklers · usually a job for a pro

  Water in buried lines and heads freezes and cracks them; you find out in spring, one geyser at a time.

  Skip it: A $50-100 blow-out vs cracked heads, valves and a backflow preventer. $100–1,000 at stake

• Clean gutters and downspouts

  Oct–Nov · every 6 months · if you have gutters

  Clogged gutters overflow against the fascia and down the wall, rot the trim, and dump water at the foundation. In freezing climates they also feed ice dams.

  Skip it: An afternoon vs rotted fascia, a wet basement or a roof leak from an ice dam. $1,000+ at stake

• Get snow equipment and ice melt ready

  Oct–Nov · once a year · where winters freeze

  The first storm is when the snow blower will not start and the shops are sold out of salt.

  Skip it: An hour vs a slip on an icy step or a repair shop queue. under ~$100 at stake

• Insulate exposed pipes before the freeze

  Oct–Nov · once a year · where winters freeze

  Pipes in garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls freeze first. A burst pipe releases hundreds of liters an hour.

  Skip it: $20 of pipe insulation vs a burst pipe and a flooded floor. $1,000+ at stake

• Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries

  Oct–Nov · once a year

  A chirping alarm gets its battery pulled at 3 a.m. and forgotten. Changing them all on one date every year avoids that.

  Skip it: $15 of batteries vs an alarm that is silent when it matters. $1,000+ at stake

• Reverse ceiling fan direction for the season

  Oct–Nov · every 6 months

  Counter-clockwise pushes air down in summer; clockwise on low pulls warm air off the ceiling in winter. It lets you set the thermostat a couple of degrees further.

  Skip it: Free vs a few percent on every heating and cooling bill. under ~$100 at stake

• Service the mower and store fuel safely

  Oct–Nov · once a year

  Old fuel gums up carburetors over winter; a blade sharpened once a year cuts cleanly and uses less fuel.

  Skip it: An hour vs a $100 carburetor clean in spring. under ~$100 at stake

• Shut off and drain outdoor taps before the freeze

  Oct–Nov · once a year · where winters freeze

  Water left in an outdoor tap or the pipe behind it freezes, splits the pipe inside the wall, and floods when it thaws in spring.

  Skip it: Ten minutes vs a burst pipe inside a wall. $1,000+ at stake

• Trim trees and shrubs away from the roof and walls

  Oct–Nov · once a year

  Branches on the roof abrade shingles and drop the debris that clogs gutters; shrubs against the wall trap moisture and give pests a path in.

  Skip it: An afternoon vs roof damage and a fallen limb in a storm. $100–1,000 at stake

Year-round home maintenance

No season attached — what matters is that they come round again.

Every few months 19

• Check the oven door seal and clean the burners

  every 6 months

  A torn door gasket leaks heat and makes the oven run long; clogged gas burner ports give uneven, yellow flames.

  Skip it: A $20 gasket vs uneven cooking and wasted energy. under ~$100 at stake

• Check under sinks and around toilets for leaks

  every 3 months

  Slow drips under a cabinet rot the floor for months before they show. Ten minutes with a torch catches them while they are a tightened fitting.

  Skip it: A tightened nut vs a $500-2,000 cabinet floor or subfloor repair. $100–1,000 at stake

• Clean faucet aerators and showerheads

  every 6 months

  Scale and grit cut the flow and spray sideways; people replace the fixture when a soak in vinegar fixes it.

  Skip it: Free vs a new fixture and a plumber's visit. under ~$100 at stake

• Clean the dishwasher filter and spray arms

  every 3 months

  Food in the filter is why dishes come out gritty and the machine smells. Blocked spray arm holes stop it cleaning at all.

  Skip it: Ten minutes vs a service call for a machine that 'does not clean'. under ~$100 at stake

• Clean the garbage disposal and check for leaks

  every 3 months

  Grease and food in the chamber cause odours and jams; the connection to the dishwasher and the sink flange are common slow-leak points.

  Skip it: Free vs a jammed motor and a wet cabinet floor. under ~$100 at stake

• Clear slow drains and clean pop-up stoppers

  every 3 months

  Hair and soap build up in the first metre of pipe. Clearing it while the drain is merely slow avoids a full blockage and chemical cleaners that damage pipes.

  Skip it: Free vs a plumber's call-out for a blocked drain. under ~$100 at stake

• Degrease the range hood filter

  every 3 months

  Grease in the filter is a fire hazard over the stove and stops the hood pulling smoke and moisture out of the kitchen.

  Skip it: Free vs a grease fire and a greasy film on every kitchen surface. under ~$100 at stake

• Dye-test toilets for silent leaks

  every 6 months

  A worn flapper lets water trickle from the tank to the bowl around the clock. It is silent and can waste hundreds of liters a day.

  Skip it: A $5 flapper vs a water bill that quietly doubles. under ~$100 at stake

• Lubricate garage door rollers, hinges and springs

  every 6 months · if you have a garage door

  Dry rollers and hinges make the opener work harder and are the source of that grinding noise. Springs rust and snap without lubrication.

  Skip it: A $8 can vs a $200-400 spring or opener repair. $100–1,000 at stake

• Replace the furnace / AC air filter

  every 3 months · if you have central air or AC or a furnace

  A clogged filter starves the system of air, so it runs longer, costs more to run and overheats the blower and compressor. It is the single cheapest thing that protects the most expensive machine in the house.

  Skip it: A $10 filter vs a $1,500-3,000 blower motor or compressor. $1,000+ at stake

• Replace the refrigerator water filter

  every 6 months

  A spent filter stops removing anything and slows the ice maker; the light on the door is the reminder most people ignore.

  Skip it: A $30 filter vs bad-tasting water and a clogged ice maker. under ~$100 at stake

• Run the washer clean cycle and dry the door gasket

  every 3 months

  Detergent residue and standing water in the gasket grow mold that ends up on clothes and in the drum bearings.

  Skip it: Free vs musty laundry and a moldy gasket replacement. under ~$100 at stake

• Test every smoke and CO alarm

  every month

  Roughly three in five home-fire deaths happen in homes with no working alarm. The test button takes a second per alarm.

  Skip it: One minute vs the difference between a scare and a tragedy. $1,000+ at stake

• Test garage door balance and auto-reverse

  every 6 months · if you have a garage door

  An unbalanced door strains the opener; a failed auto-reverse can crush a child or a pet. Both tests take two minutes.

  Skip it: Two minutes vs a burnt-out opener or a serious injury. $1,000+ at stake

• Test GFCI / RCD protected outlets

  every 6 months

  The outlets near water are supposed to cut power in milliseconds if current leaks. The internal mechanism fails silently; the test button proves it still works.

  Skip it: One minute vs electric shock protection that is not there. $1,000+ at stake

• Test the sump pump and its discharge line

  every 3 months · if you have a sump pump

  The pump sits idle for months and is asked to run for hours during the first big thaw or storm. A stuck float or frozen discharge line means a flooded basement.

  Skip it: Five minutes vs a flooded basement and everything stored in it. $1,000+ at stake

• Vacuum supply and return vents

  every 6 months · if you have central air or AC or a furnace

  Dust on registers goes straight back into the filter and the coil. Clear returns also keep airflow balanced room to room.

  Skip it: Free vs dustier air and a filter that clogs twice as fast. under ~$100 at stake

• Vacuum the refrigerator condenser coils

  every 6 months

  Dust on the coils makes the compressor run hot and long; it is the most common cause of a fridge dying early.

  Skip it: Fifteen minutes vs a $1,000+ appliance and higher power bills. $1,000+ at stake

• Walk the septic drain field

  every 6 months · if you have a septic system

  Wet spots, lush green stripes or odours over the field are the early signs of failure, while it can still be rested or repaired.

  Skip it: A walk vs a drain field replacement. $1,000+ at stake

Once a year, any time 12

• Check the fire extinguisher gauge and date

  once a year

  An extinguisher loses pressure over years and the powder packs down. You want to find that out now, not with a pan on fire.

  Skip it: $30 vs a small kitchen fire becoming a house fire. $1,000+ at stake

• Check the household water pressure

  once a year

  Pressure above about 80 psi (5.5 bar) wears out every valve, hose and appliance in the house and voids some warranties. A gauge on a hose bib takes a minute.

  Skip it: A $10 gauge vs premature failures in the water heater, washer and toilets. $100–1,000 at stake

• Clean bathroom exhaust fans

  once a year

  A dust-choked fan moves almost no air, so steam stays in the room and mold starts on the ceiling and around the window.

  Skip it: Free vs mold remediation and repainting a bathroom. $100–1,000 at stake

• Clean the dryer vent duct to the outside

  once a year

  Lint in the duct is the leading cause of dryer fires and doubles drying time. The lint trap catches only part of it.

  Skip it: A $20 brush vs a house fire and a dryer that costs twice as much to run. $1,000+ at stake

• Descale the tankless water heater

  once a year · if you have a tankless water heater

  Scale builds on the heat exchanger and cuts efficiency and flow; most manufacturers void the warranty without a yearly flush in hard-water areas.

  Skip it: $20 of vinegar vs a $500+ heat exchanger and a lost warranty. $100–1,000 at stake

• Exercise the main water shut-off valve

  once a year

  A valve that has not moved in years seizes or snaps exactly when a pipe bursts. Turning it once a year keeps it working and teaches everyone where it is.

  Skip it: Two minutes vs thousands in water damage while you search for a valve that will not turn. $1,000+ at stake

• Flush sediment from the water heater tank

  once a year · if you have a tank water heater

  Sediment on the tank bottom insulates the water from the burner or element, so the heater works harder, rumbles, and eventually the tank rusts through.

  Skip it: 30 minutes vs a $1,200-2,500 replacement several years early, plus the flood when it fails. $1,000+ at stake

• Inspect the washing machine hoses

  once a year

  A burst supply hose floods at full mains pressure until someone notices. Rubber hoses fail from the inside without warning.

  Skip it: A $20 pair of hoses vs one of the most common home-insurance claims. $1,000+ at stake

• Label the gas, water and electrical shut-offs

  once a year

  In a leak or a fire the first minute is spent finding the valve. Everyone in the house should be able to do it in the dark.

  Skip it: Ten minutes vs water running for an hour while you search. $1,000+ at stake

• Look over the electrical panel

  once a year

  Warm breakers, scorch marks, buzzing or a burning smell are the early signs of a loose connection that becomes a fire.

  Skip it: A look vs an electrical fire behind a wall. $1,000+ at stake

• Renew caulk and grout around tubs and showers

  once a year

  Water through a failed caulk line rots the subfloor and the wall behind the tile. It is invisible until the floor is soft.

  Skip it: A $7 tube vs a bathroom subfloor and wall repair. $1,000+ at stake

• Test the water heater's pressure-relief valve

  once a year · if you have a tank water heater

  The temperature-pressure relief valve is the tank's last safety device. A valve seized by mineral scale cannot open when it must.

  Skip it: One minute vs a tank that can rupture under pressure. $1,000+ at stake

Every few years 4

• Check or replace the water heater anode rod

  every 3 years · if you have a tank water heater

  The sacrificial rod corrodes so the tank does not. Once it is gone the tank itself starts rusting, and a new rod is a fraction of a new heater.

  Skip it: A $30 rod vs a $1,200-2,500 heater. $1,000+ at stake

• Have the septic tank inspected and pumped

  every 3 years · if you have a septic system · usually a job for a pro

  Solids that are not pumped out flow into the drain field and destroy it. A drain field replacement is one of the most expensive repairs a house can have.

  Skip it: A $300-500 pump-out vs a $10,000-30,000 drain field. $1,000+ at stake

• Replace carbon monoxide alarms

  every 6 years

  A CO sensor has a shorter life than a smoke sensor — most are rated five to seven years — and an expired one can read zero in a room that is filling with gas.

  Skip it: A $25 alarm against carbon monoxide poisoning. $1,000+ at stake

• Replace smoke alarms at end of life

  every 10 years

  Smoke alarm sensors degrade. Every alarm has an expiry date printed on the back and stops detecting reliably after about ten years, even if the test button still sounds.

  Skip it: $20-40 per alarm vs a detector that passes its test and misses the fire. $1,000+ at stake