Even the most organized homeowners can struggle to keep up with regular home maintenance, especially those tasks that come and go with the seasons. With this handy guide to monthly home maintenance, you’ll never forget to winterize your hose or clear your gutters again!
January Take care of the oft-forgotten “upper third” of your house and prep for low temperatures.
- Clean and dust the “upper third” of your home, which includes lights, ceiling fans, chandeliers, trim and high corners.
- Deep clean rugs, furniture, curtains and carpets for a fresh start to the year.
- Declutter your home, from the junk in your garage to the clothes you no longer wear. Donate items to a local charitable organization or find a new use for them in your home.
- Insulate water lines and run faucets on a slight drip to prevent frozen pipes when temperatures drop.
Hire Help:
Start the new year with a clean slate. Hire a professional cleaning service to tackle deep cleaning tasks and the areas you might be missing.
February Clean your floors regularly this month to stay on top of tracked mud and snow, and do a thorough cleaning in your kitchen.
- Line up your lawn care or landscaping services before the spring rush.
- Be sure you have proper ventilation, especially if you live in a humid climate. This is most important in the bathroom.
- Take extra care to keep your floors in top shape through the winter season, when salt, mud and snow get tracked through daily.
- Deep clean your kitchen, including your cabinets and appliances like your oven, range hood and refrigerator. And while you’re at it, run your clothes washer through a cleaning cycle of its own.
Hire Help:
Upgrade your home’s interior with a fresh coat of paint.
March Be proactive! Test your sump pump and check your roof and foundation to prevent costly damage.
- Change your HVAC filters.
- Run a test flush of your sump pump and inspect your gutters for cracks or sagging.
- Have your roof and foundation inspected for leaks and cracks.
Hire Help:
Get your annual HVAC inspection and tune-up.
April Get ahead of summer with pool cleaning and lawn care services, and have outdoor structures inspected for safety.
- Get your pool cleaned to prep it for the season.
- Clean your windows on both the exterior and interior to welcome in natural light.
- For a greener lawn, have your yard aerated and fertilized.
- Inspect your fence and other exterior structures, like your garage or shed, for damage and needed repairs.
- If you have big projects planned for this year, like a remodel, addition or upgrade, start researching pros and calling for consultations and quotes.
Hire Help:
Have your gutters cleaned to ensure proper drainage and prevent foundation damage.
May Take advantage of the warming weather: Pressure wash your home’s exterior and trim your trees.
- May is a good month to pressure wash exterior surfaces like siding and driveways; the weather is ideal and surfaces will dry more evenly.
- Do a thorough inspection of your deck, patio and/or hardscape for cracks, damage, loose spots and needed repairs.
- If you have a big outdoor project planned, like building an outdoor kitchen or putting up a pergola, consider doing it now so that you can enjoy it through the summer.
Hire Help:
Take care of your trees and hire for trimming and maintenance services now, rather than later when foliage is full.
June Make sure your irrigation system is good to go and prep for summer storms.
- Change the direction of your ceiling fan (to counter-clockwise) to cool your home.
- Have your irrigation system inspected for damage and functional issues.
- Do some disaster prep around the house and with your family. Put together an emergency preparedness kit and secure your home against the kind of storms likely in your area.
- Take care of water puddles, cut back on moisture traps like firewood and bushes, and remove debris from your yard to avoid damage and deter pests.
Hire Help:
Hire a professional to check for mold if you’re concerned the moisture in and around your home is causing issues.
July Focus on outdoor maintenance and enhancing your home’s efficiency with WaterSense-labeled additions.
- Clean your outdoor area and pressure wash or seal things that need it, like decks, pathways and outdoor countertops.
- Add WaterSense-labeled fixtures, like a sprinkler timer or faucet add-on, to improve efficiency.
- Make sure your driveway is in good shape, or have it inspected and repaired by a professional.
- Install landscape lighting or have your current lighting inspected for damage.
Hire Help:
Call a pro to perform your annual water heater flush.
August Upgrade your home security system and call an exterminator if you have pest problems.
- Plan out your upcoming projects, like reorganizing and yard work, so that you can get them done this season.
- Call an exterminator to get rid of wasps and other pests before they get out of hand.
- Have your heating system inspected for potential problems before the weather cools.
- Install a security system, or upgrade your existing system, and replace your locks if the task is on your to-do list. Consider a smart security system for the latest and safest technology.
Hire Help:
Have your insulation inspected to ensure that it’s in good shape. As necessary, consider adding new insulation to improve efficiency.
September This is the perfect time to winterize lawn equipment and sprinklers, and prep your fireplace for winter use.
- Add extra caulking and insulation to your windows and doors to minimize cool drafts in the coming months.
- Winterize your sprinkler system, outdoor faucets and water hoses.
- Get a chimney inspection and cleaning before you use your fireplace.
- Inspect, repair, winterize and store lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other equipment you won’t need in the winter.
Hire Help:
If you’re concerned that your home is inefficient and wasting energy, get a home energy audit to see how you can improve.
October Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and switch the direction of your ceiling fan.
- Cover or store your outdoor furniture and grill to keep them in top condition.
- Insulate water pipes to prevent freezing.
- Clean your gutters or have them cleared by a pro.
- Make sure that your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in working order.
- Switch the direction of your ceiling fan so that it runs clockwise.
Hire Help:
If you haven’t had your air ducts cleaned in the past few years, hire a professional to clean them for you.
November Tackle interior projects and get your contacts lined up in case of a home maintenance emergency.
- Assemble gear and an emergency kit to prepare for winter storms.
- Hire a snow removal company to be sure you’re taken care of when the first storm comes.
- Compile a list of emergency numbers for plumbers, electricians and more, in case of a crisis like a leak or outage.
- If you have interior projects like painting, remodeling or other upgrades in mind, this is a great time to start contacting pros.
Hire Help:
Hire a plumber to inspect your pipes and plumbing fixtures to ensure they’re functioning properly.
December Stay on top of snow buildup and take care of gaps in your foundation.
- Keep up with snow buildup and quickly remove ice from your roof and trees.
- Be sure not to overload your electrical system with your holiday lights. If you decorate with a lot of lights, use your GFCI outlets.
- Inspect your foundation and home for gaps and openings that would invite pests and critters.
Hire Help:
Now’s the time to start planning the projects you want to do next year! Line up the pros you need, from handymen to remodelers.
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