Complete Home Maintenance Guide

Monthly Home Maintenance

• Clean kitchen walls and backsplash
• Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter
• Clean garbage disposal
• Wipe down dining room and kitchen chairs
• Dust tops of cabinets
• Dust ceiling fans and vents
• Dust baseboards and molding
• Wipe out trash and recycling bins
• Scrub grout
• Deodorize microwave
• Disinfect doorknobs, handles, light switches, and remotes
• Unclog sink and shower drains
• Vacuum upholstery
• Check indoor and outdoor vents for blockages
• Inspect electrical cords for wear
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check water softener and replenish salt

Quarterly Maintenance

• Clean dishwasher
• Dust the top of refrigerator 
• Clean refrigerator and freezer interior
• Check toilets for leaks
• Clean or replace shower curtains and liners
• Clean and dust blinds
• Clean washing machine
• Polish wood floors
• Clean and condition leather furniture
• Vacuum and clean mattress 
• Wash inside and outside of windows
• Change air conditioning filters
• Test sump pump
• Check basement or crawl space for leaks or damage
• Inspect foundation for visual damage 
• Check for proper drainage in your yard

Biannually

• Clean windows
• Deep clean oven
• Wash and dry stove hood filter
• Clean and vacuum refrigerator coils
• Clean faucet aerator and showerheads
• Polish wood furniture
• Fertilize lawn
• Oil door locks and hinges
• Flip mattress
• Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check expiration date on fire extinguisher
• Check water heater

Annual Home Maintenance

• Remove lint from dyer vent
• Inspect and tighten hardware
• Clean carpets
• Clean bathroom exhaust fan
• Wipe down walls
• Wash window screens
• Pull out large appliance and furniture and clean underneath
• Check for exterior damage
• Inspect roof
• Touch up exterior paint
• Power wash exterior
• Check for termite damage
• Drain water heater
• Get air conditioner serviced
• Get sump pump professionally inspected

Home Maintenance Guide By the Seasons

Fall Maintenance

• Rake leaves
• Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors
• Clean out gutters
• Winterize exterior plumbing and drain outdoor faucets
• Shut off exterior sprinklers and valves
• Close and winterize pool

Winter Home Care

• Reverse ceiling fans
• Check for drafts around windows and doors
• Set up mouse traps (as needed)
• Insulate pipes
• Remove snow from roof
• Check roof for icicles and ice dams
• Check snow removal tools and service as needed
• Stock up on sidewalk salt and ice melt

Home Maintenance for Spring

• Tune up lawnmower
• Maintain garden equipment
• Mulch flower beds
• Add fertilizer and compost to garden
• Plant annuals
• Water new plants
• Prune trees and shrubs
• Remove dead plants or shrubs
• Turn on sprinklers and valves
• Apply repellant and poison to prevent bugs
• Open pool
• Check outdoor wiring and replace outdoor bulbs

Summer Home Tips

• Reverse ceiling fan
• Power wash and reseal deck
• Inspect and repair fence
• Inspect and repair outdoor equipment
• Clean outdoor furniture
• Refill cracks in driveway and sidewalks
• Maintain pool (weekly)

Home Maintenance to Follow Every Few Years

• Replace smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Replace kitchen and bathroom faucets
• Get termite inspections
• Get heat ducts cleaned
• Replace hot water heater
• Replace caulking around windows and doors
• Paint exterior