Experts suggest setting aside 1% of your home’s value every year for home maintenance. If your home is worth $500,000, that works out to $5,000 a year (or about $415/month) in repair and maintenance costs.
How can you keep your house in tip-top shape and minimize those repair bills? Your best bet is to create and follow a seasonal home maintenance checklist.
keep reading for the best home maintenance tips to add to your routine.
Home Maintenance Plan: Season by Season
Some home maintenance tasks are better left to different times of the year. Some might even be impossible to complete during the coldest or hottest months. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide to help you out.
Spring
“Spring cleaning” is all about mitigating the impact of winter and preparing your home for the warmer months. Clean the gutters and inspect your roof and siding for any signs of damage.
Clean or replace your window screens and reverse ceiling fans to spin counter-clockwise. Trim back trees on your property and call your electric company if any branches near power lines need pruning.
Spring (and fall) are also the best times for HVAC maintenance. An inspection will identify any potential problems so you don’t find yourself sweating through the summer or freezing during the winter.
Summer
If you have any major repairs or renovation projects, the summer months are likely the best time to complete them. Take advantage of the warmth and daylight to paint your home’s exterior, replace siding, or repair your deck.
Apply sealant to your wood fencing and deck. Clear any debris from window wells and gutters. Flush out your hot water heater to remove built-up sediment.
Autumn
In preparation for winter, remove your window screens and window AC units. If you have central air and heating, schedule an inspection to ensure it’s winterized.
This is also the time to have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned. Install storm windows if your home has them. Clear out dead leaves and debris from your yard, garden, and water features.
Don’t forget to switch your ceiling fans back to clockwise, as this will push heated air down and keep your home warmer.
Winter
If you followed everything on your fall home maintenance checklist, all you’ll need to do during the wintertime is make sure everything is working properly.
Every month, you should test the:
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Smoke detectors
- Gauges on the fire extinguishers
- T&P valve on your water heater
- Garage door function
- Dryer vent
- GFCI outlets
Winter is a good time to soak your showerheads and sink aerators in vinegar to dissolve built-up sediment. Do regular checks on infrequently used areas too, such as the guest bathroom or basement bathroom. Flush the toilets and turn on the sink taps to prevent pipes from backing up or freezing.
Follow this Seasonal Home Maintenance Schedule
Having a home maintenance plan is essential to keep your home in good condition. By preventing problems before they happen, you’ll save more money and enjoy a comfortable home for years to come.
