A home maintenance checklist is the best way to extend your appliances’ and home structure’s lifespan. But keeping up with every structure, appliance and system in your house can be overwhelming. So, here’s a breakdown of all the tasks for each annual season.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring is the best season to check your house’s structure, systems and appliances.

Exterior Maintenance in Spring

✓ Roof Inspection

Now that winter’s over, getting the roof checked is safer. A roof inspection during springtime allows you to assess the condition of your roof after the harsh winter and before the potential storms of the coming seasons. Look for loose or missing shingles, cracks, or leaks.

✓ Gutter Cleaning

Over the winter, gutters can accumulate debris, leaves, and other materials that can clog them. Pulling the waste out from the gutters and downspouts in the spring ensures proper water drainage and prevents water-related problems.

✓ Lawn and Garden Care

Restore your garden by mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and pruning your garden to promote healthy growth, control weeds, and maintain the overall aesthetics of your lawn and garden.

Interior Maintenance in Spring

✓ Spring Cleaning

If you want to get into it, complete some deep cleaning tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, washing windows, cleaning carpets, and decluttering various areas of your home.

✓ HVAC Check-up

To prepare your cooling system for warmer weather, inspect and service your air conditioning unit to ensure it operates efficiently and effectively. Clean or replace filters, check refrigerant levels and electrical components and ensure proper airflow.

✓ Plumbing Inspection

Since freezing winter temperatures cause expansion and contraction of the pipes, it’s important to check for any cracks, leaks, or even bursts. A spring plumbing inspection allows you to address and repair any leaks that could otherwise lead to water damage, mold growth and costly repairs later on.

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer comes with longer days and warm weather, and it may seem like a season to enjoy your home, not fix it. It’s the best time for taking care of and cleaning up outdoor areas that may have been overlooked in the colder seasons.

Exterior Maintenance in Summer

✓ Deck and Patio Maintenance

Clean the deck surface well by scrubbing, power washing, sealing or sanding and give it a touch of elbow grease. Complete a summertime pest control for your patio to prevent pests from infesting your outdoor area this season.

✓ Window Cleaning

Summertime is the peak season for installing sun-blocking window covers and new screens. But also a convenient time of the year to clean debris and smudges off exterior glass and walls.

✓ Pool Care

Don’t forget to treat your pool. Check the water, clean all valves and filters, and inspect all the equipment to ensure it is running smoothly. Consider scheduling a professional checkup to look at other details to confirm your pool functions properly for the summer.

Interior Maintenance in Summer

✓ Air Conditioning Maintenance

Since summer is a high-demand season for your AC, consistently remove and clean your window unit’s filter. If you have pets, change the filters at least once a month. If you have central air, inspect it by a professional to keep the system running correctly.

✓ Pest Control

In summer, pests like ants, flies, mosquitoes, and rodents seek access to food, water, and shelter. To prevent them from entering your home, ensure that all potential entry points, such as cracks in walls, gaps around windows and doors, and openings in screens, are correctly sealed.

✓ Safety Checks

During the summer, check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This life-saving step only takes about five minutes, and all you have to do is test the alarm’s button. If you don’t hear anything, consider changing the batteries.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall maintenance is all about getting ready for winter. Prepare your systems, appliances and structures to prevent any later costly damage.

Exterior Maintenance in Fall

✓ Leaf Removal

The most essential fall task is leaf removal. Rake, collect and compost or dispose of them to prevent them from accumulating and causing issues like blocked gutters or dead lawn patches.

✓ Winterizing Garden

You can prepare your garden for the winter by trimming back perennial plants, removing annuals, and clearing out any debris. Applying a layer of mulch can help insulate plants and protect their roots from freezing temperatures. Remember to disconnect, drain and store your garden hoses to prevent freezing and cracking. Also, shut outdoor water valves and drain any remaining water from pipes.

✓ Driveway and Walkway Inspection

Check your driveway and walkways for cracks, potholes, or uneven surfaces to prevent further damage from freezing and thawing cycles.

Interior Maintenance in Fall

✓ Heating System Check-up

Take care of your heating system before its most demanding season of the year. Drain the water and remove any sediment. Conduct a pressure relief valve test and know warning signs such as leaks, sudden popping, and cracking noises. These suggest a potential failure of the heating element. Open the heating vents and ensure they are unobstructed by furniture or drapes.

✓ Chimney Cleaning

Since cleaning the chimney during winter will be more challenging, seize the fall to complete this task. Inspect your fireplace for any damages and give it a good clean. If it fits your budget, consider hiring professional chimney cleaners to remove buildup, debris, and potential blockages.

✓ Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping involves sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss during the colder months. You can use caulk or expanding foam to keep warm and cold air inside.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

The harshest time of the year for your house arrives. All your fall work will pay off by protecting the structure from freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls. All you have to do now is make sure everything stays under control.

Exterior Maintenance in Winter

✓ Snow Removal

This may be one of the most exhausting winter tasks. However, it’s crucial for safety and accessibility. Clean your driveways, walkways, and other areas using a snow shovel or a snow blower to clear paths and prevent accidents.

✓ Ice Dam Prevention

Ice dams typically form on roofs and lead to water leakage and damage. To prevent them, you can carefully remove accumulated snow from the ceiling with a roof rake. Also, ensure proper insulation and ventilation in the attic to minimize heat loss and prevent snow from melting and refreezing on the roof.

✓ Holiday Lighting Safety

Getting some lighting for the holidays is one of the most exciting parts of winter. However, electrical safety must be ensured. Ensure to follow manufacturer instructions for installation, not overloading electrical circuits and use timers or switches with built-in timers to control the lighting.

Interior Home Maintenance in Winter

✓ Insulating Pipes

Adding insulation material around your pipes provides them with thermal protection. This protects them from freezing and bursting. You can use pipe insulation or heating tape on basements, crawl spaces, and attic pipes.

✓ Fireplace Safety

Before lighting up the fireplace, ensure you completed an excellent cleaning during the fall. Ensure the chimney cap is in good condition to keep out animals and debris. You can also install a screen or glass door to give more safety by preventing sparks from escaping.

✓ Indoor Air Quality

Dust and allergens can accumulate in your home during winter because the windows remain closed to keep warm. Regularly dust surfaces with a damp cloth to trap dust particles and vacuum the floors. Despite the cold weather, it’s essential to provide some fresh air circulation, even just by opening the window a little, to allow air exchange.

Seasonal maintenance is about preparing your house for what each season’s weather presents. Although it seems like a lot of work, keeping this to-do list and sticking to it through the years will gradually grow in your household as a routine.