Month-by-month guide on home maintenance calendar
August 6, 2019 | Posted by: Sherry Corbitt
Down below includes a month-by-month guide on house maintenance tasks you may want to consider for your house.
January and February
□ Clean or replace your furnace filter
□ Check your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and wash or replace the filter
□ Make sure that all the air intakes, exhausts, and meters are clear of snow
□ Clean your humidifier
□ Clean your oven range hood filter
□ Check the drainage trap in your basement floor and fill it with water if needed
March and April
□ Clean your humidifier and turn it off.
□ Check the sump pump
□ Check the gutters and downspouts and clean them if needed
□ Inspect your air conditioner and service if needed
□ Inspect your basement or crawl space for signs of water damage
□ Open the vents to the outdoor crawlspace
□ Make sure the ground in your yard slopes away from the foundation wall
□ Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
May and June
□ Open hose connections outside
□ Clean the windows, screens, and hardware and install the screens
□ Check that all air intake and exhausts are clear of debris
□ Clean your oven range hood filter
□ Turn off your HRV if you keep your windows open in the summer (leave it running if you usually keep your windows closed)
□ Start spring landscaping in your yard
July and August
□ Use a dehumidifier if your basement is damp
□ Clean the filter in your air handling unit if you have air conditioning
□ Check all exterior finishes and wood for deterioration
□ Check the caulking and weather stripping around your windows and doors to your garage
□ Check the drainage trap in your basement floor and fill it with water if needed
□ Have your furnace and heating systems serviced
September and October
□ Check and clean your fireplace and chimney if needed
□ Clean your over range food filter
□ Have your wood-burning stove chimney checked and cleaned
□ Clear leaves from the eaves troughs
□ Check your roof for signs of wear or damage
□ Close the outside hose connection
□ Close your window and skylights
□ Clean and reactivate your HRV if it was turned off for the summer
□ Prepare your outdoor plants and trees for winter
□ Consider hanging your Christmas lights if the weather is nice
□ Check smoke and carbon monoxide batteries
November and December
□ Check your furnace and clean or replace the filter
□ Check your HRV and wash or replace the filter
□ Clean your humidifier and turn it on (if needed)
□ Check your exhaust fans
□ Make sure your gas valve is clear of ice and snow
□ Test your space heating system
□ Close the vents to crawl spaces
Once a Year
□ Dust or vacuum your electric basements or heat registers (remover the covers)
□ Vacuum the dust behind your warm air and return air grilles.
□ Test the plumbing shut-off valves to make sure they are working
□ Test the pressure relief valve on the hot water tank and drain water from the tank
□ Check all your smoke alarms, fire escape routes, fire extinguishers, and window, and door locks
□ Check and oil the door hinges if needed
□ Lubricate the garage door motor, chain, etc
□ Check your attic for signs of moisture in the summer or fall
Every two to five years
□ Check and repair any cracks in your driveway
□ Check and repair the chimney cap and the caulking between the lid and the chimney
□ Refinish all wood surfaces, including the window frames and doors
□ Check the septic system and clean it if needed (usually about once every three years)
Going through this list of house maintenance tasks can help ensure the safety and value of your house.
If you have any questions about other house maintenance tasks, please contact me!
Sherry Corbitt, Mortgage Broker
