Jun 06, 2022

The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist

Learn which home maintenance project you should prioritize in your homes…

Making the decision to own a home is a major commitment. Once you’ve moved into your dream property, completed any renovations (a standout kitchen is a must!), and executed your decorating plans, you still have to consider the routine upkeep that’s necessary to ensure it looks its best for years to come. And it’s not just about aesthetics. There are certain measures all homeowners should take to guarantee that their families remain safe in any property they live in.

Regular maintenance, involving tasks that need to be handled monthly and annually, should not be overlooked. Whether it’s getting into the habit of examining electrical systems, removing debris from gutters, or hiring a professional to inspect your roof once a year, investing the time and money to maintain a polished property can save you headaches in the long run.

To get you started, here’s a thorough home maintenance checklist to protect your home…

Weekly Home Maintenance Tasks

• Clean the kitchen, including the floors, countertops and major kitchen appliances.
• Clean out the refrigerator, getting rid of old food and uneaten leftovers.
• Clean the bathroom, including the toilet, shower, faucet and showerhead.
• Clean the bedroom, replacing dirty sheets, pillowcases and towels.
• Vacuum using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to get rid of tiny particles.
• Dust surfaces and wipe down all tables and desks with antibacterial cleaner.
• Clean litter boxes and pet bowls.
• Mow the lawn and do some light weeding.
• Blow leaves off the walkway, sidewalk and driveway.
• Charge your wireless security cameras and doorbell if they are not hard-wired.

What to Handle Monthly

• Test carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers, which should be kept on every floor at a minimum.
• Clean your garbage disposal.
• Unclog bathtub and sink drains throughout your home.
• Deep clean dishwasher (be sure to remove and wash the filter).
• Clean range hood and furnace filters.
• Deep clean washer and clothes dryer, including the chamber where the filter sits.

What to Handle Twice or Three Times a Year 

• Change water filters in the refrigerator, ice maker or water filtration system 
• Change or (if reusable) clean the dehumidifier and humidifier filters.
• Wash down all walls and cabinets inside your house using warm, soapy water.
• Deep clean wooden cutting boards with acid and salt and condition with oil.
• Wash the washer and dryer to prevent buildup of mold and mildew.
• Dust and wipe down ceiling blade fans with a duster or damp cloth.
• Steam clean carpets or have them professionally cleaned.
• Clean out your pantry, closet and cabinets in the bathroom and donate the items that you no longer use or want.
• Clean the oven, either using the self-cleaning feature or a cleaning product.
• Clean the porch or deck, including all patio furniture, cushions and grills.
• Deep clean the garage, including sweeping the floor and clearing all drains.
• Clean the gutters and remove any gunk and buildup
• Inspect the exterior of your home and roof for cracks or structural damage.
• Inspect the structure and exterior of your home for signs of pesky insects, such as carpenter ants, termites, birds or chipmunks.
• Oil any garage door tracks or interior parts and inspect thoroughly. 

What to Handle Annually

• Maintain quarterly appointments with an exterminator to keep your home pest-free.
• Clean your bathroom’s exhaust fan grill to avoid dust from building up.

• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Check and test the fire extinguishers.
• Remove all contents from cabinets and vacuum and wipe down inside.
• Wash all windows from the inside and outside of the home.
• Touch up interior and exterior paint, including siding and trim.
• Trim tree branches (or have a professional do it for you).
• In early summer, reseed the lawn and fill in any bald patches.
• Clean the sprinkler heads and hose sprayers if scaling has built up.
• Inspect for bad caulking around windows and cracks and repair as needed.
• Patch up any breezy spots or add new insulation to improve efficiency.
• Spread new mulch in flower beds outside to keep soil healthy.
• Have your lawn mower blades sharpened.
• Get a tune-up on your lawn mower, including new spark plugs and air filters.
• Download, analyze, and compare utility usage and determine how you can make changes to lower your energy consumption throughout the year.
• Update the software on your home security, sound system, etc.
• Pay your property taxes (if you’re on an annual schedule).
• Restock the emergency supply kit and update emergency evacuation plans.
• Apply teak oil or wood oil to outdoor patio furniture to recondition.

Home Maintenance Is Easier Than Ever

By simply glancing at the above list, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with so many smart, new technologies and handy services out there, it’s actually easier than ever to stay on top of your maintenance schedule. With a few of the following practices in play, you’ll never forget to clean the gutters or wash your windows. 

Here are some of our favorite tips for staying on track:

Set Reminders and Create a Calendar

Having a checklist is great, but if you don’t remember to follow it, it’s useless! Be sure to incorporate your home maintenance schedule into your general life schedule, adding tasks, to-do lists and reminders to your digital calendar or list app. You can even set up your phone so it sends you a weekly, monthly or annual reminder when it’s time to tackle a new task. In January, set up your scheduled reminders for the rest of the year.

Switch to Smart Appliances

You’ll be shocked to learn how much smart appliances can do for your home maintenance schedule. Seriously, they now make fridges that let you know when you need to buy something and that self-inspect and diagnose if things go wrong. While they may require the occasional software update, appliances like smart dishwashers, ovens, fridges and washers and dryers can seriously cut down on the time you spend on weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance. Many modern washers and dishwashers feature self-cleaning methods too, which can help keep things in order with minimal effort.

Rely on the Professionals

Professional home inspections cannot be underestimated, especially if you live in an old home or have a large property. Make sure to schedule annual inspections of the fireplace, HVAC system, plumbing, roofing and more. You’ll find that there are even full-scale home inspection companies that will come and give your home a top-to-bottom lookover (much like you had done when you bought it in the first place). This may give you some peace of mind every couple of years.

Wherever Possible, Go Low-Maintenance

These days, you can choose flooring, countertops, paint and even furniture labeled low-maintenance, and if your goal is long-lasting performance with minimal effort, it’s worth the slight cost increase. Replacing the cracking tile floors for hardwood that could last a century or more, swapping out the rotting wood steps for sturdy stamped concrete, making the investment in the stain guard-treated sofas—these are all great things you can do to slash your long list of regular home maintenance tasks!

Divvy Up the Work

Maintaining a home should be a family affair, so don’t be afraid to put all inhabitants to work, even the kids. Consider these maintenance tasks as great chores and learning experiences for older kids and teenagers. It’s never too early to learn the lesson of caring for your things—especially your biggest thing! Get the kids on the schedule and break up the tasks so you have more time to relax and enjoy time spent together.

While they may be taxing, at the end of the day, performing these routine tasks will save you money and hassle in the long-run. Taking care of your house and surrounding property not only helps protect your investment so you make fewer repairs and replacements, but also keeps your biggest asset in good shape should you ever decide to put it on the market. A little bit of prevention is all you need to keep your investment in great shape for years to come.

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