The Importance of Routine Home Maintenance

If you own a home, the idea of spending the weekend cleaning out the gutters or repairing cracks in the driveway in your spare time sounds far from ideal. However, these small investments of time and money help homeowners protect their biggest financial investment. Home maintenance lists can look overwhelming, especially for new homeowners. Setting up a regular schedule for needed tasks helps break down huge lists into manageable chunks. Just as people live in sync with the seasons, homes need to be cared for accordingly, as well. It's important to help the house hunker down for winter and come back to life in the spring. Many homeowners are surprised about how important simple things like regularly cleaning the house is to maintain the home. There are many reasons for this. In a clean home, it's easier to spot when a leak breaks out, for example. It also protects the finishes of the home like flooring and tile work.

Weekly Home Checks and Cleanups

• Sweep all floors.
• Mop kitchen and bathroom floors.
• Vacuum all carpeted rooms.
• Clean shower or tub.
• Clean toilet.
• Check under sinks and around the toilet for leaks.
• Take out all trash regularly.
• Dust bedrooms and living spaces.
• Thoroughly clean counters.
• Clean all appliances inside and out. Remove old or expired food from the fridge and pantry.
• Sweep the porch, patios, and decks to remove debris.

Monthly Maintenance

• Replace the furnace filter so that the furnace functions more efficiently and is less likely to need more expensive repairs. A fresh furnace filter also means the home) will have cleaner air.
• Clean all showerheads and faucet aerators to keep mineral deposits from building up.
• Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
• Vacuum HVAC vents and registers.
• Grind ice cubes in the garbage disposal and then flush it with baking soda and hot water to thoroughly clean it and prevent any smells or malfunctions.

Seasonal Maintenance

Fall

• Have an HVAC repair person service and inspect the furnace.
• Clean the fireplace. Make sure the chimney is in good repair.
• Replace damaged or missing caulk and weather stripping around all doors and windows.
• Check the roof for loose or missing shingles.
• Have the gutters cleaned.
• Seal any cracks in the driveway or walkways.
• Winterize exterior faucets.
• Drain and store garden hoses and sprinklers.

Winter

• Cover the air-conditioning unit to protect it from debris.
• Regularly check the basement or crawl space for leaks.
• Inspect the gutters, roof, awnings, and downspouts after each storm for any damage. Clean off debris as necessary.
• Remove the cover from the bathroom exhaust fan and vacuum thoroughly.
• Clean drains in all plumbing fixtures.

Spring

• Inspect the roof and gutters for any damage.
• Clean out the gutters.
• Thoroughly wash all windows and screens.
• Dust light fixtures.
• Powerwash siding and walkways.
• Inspect, and repair if necessary, the caulking around all sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
• Vacuum out the dryer vent.
• De-winterize outdoor faucets.
• Drain the water heater.

Summer

• Keep yard cut and trimmed.
• Oil door hinges.
• Clean lint out of washer hoses and dryer vents.
• Take apart and thoroughly clean the filter in the kitchen exhaust fan.
• Look under bathroom and kitchen cabinets for evidence of leaks.

Yearly Projects

• Clean and oil garage door springs.
• Check for evidence of termites.
• Have the septic tank serviced.
• Go to every emergency water shut-off valve for each toilet, sink, and other plumbing fixture in the home. Make sure they turn easily. Also, check the main water shut-off valve.
• Reseal kitchen and bath grout.
• Have granite or quartzite counters? They also should be sealed at least once a year.

Appliance Checks

Refrigerator & Freezer

• Change the water filter twice a year.
• Vacuum the coils for both the freezer and fridge each season.
• Clean the inside and out of the appliance thoroughly on a regular basis.

Dishwasher

• Clean the appliance twice a year.
• Cap or replace any rusty spots on the rack.
• Clean the filter each season.

Stove

• Twice a year, use the self-cleaning mode to clean the appliance. Wait at least six hours, and then wipe down the inside of the oven with a mix of white vinegar and water.
• Any burner that develops a red spot is at risk of burning out. Replace it as soon as possible.

Washing Machine

• Level the machine if it develops a shake.
• Clean the lint trap on the washer at least once a year.

Dryer

• The lint filter needs to be cleaned after each use.
• The dryer vent needs to be cleaned at least one a year.

Maintaining Safety Precautions

• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon dioxide alarms twice a year.
• Test the alarms each season.
• Make a family emergency plan and practice it.
• Check the first aid kit each season and replace any items that are missing or that have expired.