NEW YEAR - NEW Home Maintenance Checklists

DISCLAIMER : THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. BROOKE HARRIS DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, AND YOU SHOULD CONDUCT YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND/OR SEEK THE ADVICE OF APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WITH REGARD TO YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION. BROOKE HARRIS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY, FOR YOUR USE OF ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

This year, you want to have a head start on maintaining your home. We all do, but it seems like such a daunting task! You know that by maintaining your home you can save money, lower your bills, and keep your appliances running longer, but how can you fit all of that maintenance in your hectic life?

The best way to keep up-to-date in maintaining all of your systems, appliance, and structures of your house is to commit to doing at least one maintenance task a week. With only 52 weeks in a year, that not only seems doable, it's downright easy! 

You should always follow the system or appliance manufacturer's instructions on how to keep them cleaned and well-maintained, but this is a good starting point. Read your owners' manuals for all of your home's systems and appliances and add or change this list as you go.

Home Maintenance Checklist:

January Home MAINTENANCE

JANUARY - ​Your first few weeks of doing home maintenance is a great time to start on your plumbing. With November and December out of the way (the two months when cooking and eating seem to be in high demand), this is a great time to clean out your pipes and get your plumbing ready to go for the new year. 

1. CLEAR YOUR PIPES - Depending on your habits, it might be a good time to clean out your drains and remind yourself what you should and shouldn't be putting down the pipes. If you find yourself in a state (like Utah) with high sediment in your pipes, it may be a good idea to descale your pipes this week as well. 
2. CLEAN SHOWER-HEADS AND TAPS - Sediment and hard water deposits often block the flow of water from your taps and shower-heads. For this week's maintenance, keep your taps and shower-heads lasting longer by cleaning them. You can use vinegar to clean your shower-head and you can also improve your water flow on your sinks by cleaning the aerators.
3. REMOVE CAULK AND RE-CAULK TUBS, SINKS, ETC. - If you've noticed that the caulk around your appliances is wearing off or getting moldy, remove it and re-caulk. This will keep your plumbing more secure and make sure it lasts for a long period of time.
4. CLEAN OR REPLACE YOUR POP-UP SINK MECHANISM - Clean your pop-up sink mechanism this week and ensure that you don't have anything that's clogging up your plumbing.
5. GET RID OF ICICLES AND ICE DAMS - You should be doing this all throughout the winter months, but it's a good idea to take some extra time today to make sure there aren't any you've missed. Melting ice can run into your roof, causing leaks, flooding, and major damage to your home's structure. 

February ​HOME MAINTENANCE

FEBRUARY - You should closely follow the manufacturers' instructions to maintain your appliances. However, cleaning inside appliances in the wintertime is a great way to maintain your home when it's still too cold to venture outside.

1. CLEAN OVEN FILTERS AND RANGE - Cleaning your oven filters and range should be completed often to remove grease build up that could be flammable. 
2. CLEAN OVEN - Your oven should be cleaned often as well in order to increase its lifespan. Use this heat-free way to clean dried-on food and grease that could cause a fire.
3. VACUUM LINT FROM DRYER - One of the most flammable appliances in your home is probably one you'd least expect: your dryer. A build-up of lint can ignite easily and cause major damage to your dryer and home.
4. CLEAN YOUR DISHWASHER - Dishwashers are hardly the appliance you'd think you have to clean and maintain... because don't they get cleaned when they're washing your dishes? Not quite! You can drastically improve your dishwasher's lifespan and cleaning power by cleaning it. 

March ​HOME MAINTENANCE

MARCH - is the gateway to spring, one of the biggest times for cleaning your home. It's time to get out of hibernation and start getting ready for summer!

1. TEST SUMP PUMP - If your home has a sump pump, make sure it's working. Springtime is when snow starts to melt and you could have problems with flooding. It's better to test your sump pump now and make sure it's pumping properly than wait and deal with the aftermath. 
2. DEEP CLEAN YOUR HOME - Spring clean your house! Dust, dirt, and grime can all build up in the wintertime and spring is the perfect time to give your home a good scrub. Try to clear out clutter and donate unneeded items to charity.
3. CHECKING ROOF FOR SOFT SPOTS - With the snow melting and potential for heavy rains to start in the spring, it's a good time to see if your roof needs to be repaired. Check for soft spots by using a pair of binoculars and seeing if there are any loose, broken, or missing shingles on your roof. You'll want to get a roofing technician to repair those as soon as possible. (If you have roof leak repair with your home warranty, that can be patched up if you've properly maintained your roof.)
4. FIX RUST SPOTS ON YOUR TUB AND APPLIANCES - Make sure any rust spots in your home are fixed using epoxy seals. 
5. CLEAN GUTTERS - Gutters full of dirt, fall leaves, and other debris can cause flooding. This water can back up into your roof and cause wood rot and leaks, or it could seep into your foundation and cause flooding. Take a day to clear out your gutters to avoid this problem.
6. CHECK WATER FLOW FROM DOWN SPOUTS - After your gutters are cleaned, pour water through your downspouts to see if the water is running away from your home instead of pooling around your foundation. Pooled water can leak into your home's foundation and window wells and cause flooding.

 April ​HOME MAINTENANCE

APRIL - Now that you're prepared for rainy springtime, it's time to use the last few months of spring to get ready for summer. Make sure that you complete your spring cleaning in your kitchen. 

1. PEST CONTROL - April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring bugs in large quantities. As pests begin to emerge in the springtime, keep your eye out for signs of pests and consider spraying your home. If you have a homeowner's warranty you can get pest control service for a service call fee.
2. ATTIC INSPECTION - As the weather warms up, it's time to make sure everything is working well in your attic and there haven't been any leaks. Keep your eye out for rusted nails, stains on the roof, or damaged wood. Make sure that bathroom fans are venting to the outside and not into the attic space, as that can cause a build-up of moisture and mold. If your attic only has insulation for flooring, make most of this into a visual inspection to be safe.
3. TUNE UP AIR CONDITIONER - Call a professional to get your air conditioner running for summer. If you have a home warranty, you can get a tune-up for a small service call fee. You will have your condenser coils cleaned, your filters replaced, and your refrigerant levels, contacts, condensation lines, and thermostat checked.
4. VACUUM HVAC - After getting the air conditioner tuned-up by a professional, you should clean it. Unplug the unit before getting started and wipe away any dirt and debris from the case and the blades that are on top of the unit. Then, gently vacuum the fins on the outside of your unit. You should also clean around the unit to make sure there are no blockages that will stop air from being taken into the unit and cooled. 

May ​HOME MAINTENANCE

MAY - May should be a month where you're preparing for the hot temps of the summer. Keep getting your cooling methods ready with these five maintenance tips.

1. LUBRICATE FAN MOTOR - If you choose to not get an HVAC tune-up or if the tune-up doesn't include adding oil to your fan motor, you should lubricate it. Follow your user's manual to know what kind of oil to put on, how much to use, and how to get inside of your condenser unit.
2. REPLACE YOUR HVAC FILTERS - If you get an HVAC tune-up, you'll have your filters replaced. However, replacing your filters for central air cooling system isn't a one time job. You should make sure to be replacing the filters every one to three months as you use the HVAC system. 
3. IF YOU HAVE A SWAMP COOLER, CLEAN THE UNIT AND GET IT STARTED - Before starting your swamp cooler up and running, clean the drain pans, change the water pads (if you didn't do that in the winter), and lubricate the motor according to your manufacturer's recommendations.
4. MAKE SURE ALL EXHAUST VENTS ARE CLEAR - There are many vents in your home that bring air and gasses to the outside of your home. This could be from your bathroom vent, HVAC vent, dryer vent, etc. These vents need to be clear from debris, animal nests, plants, trees, or dirt. Clear away anything that could block the vent and clean it to keep it ventilating your home properly.
5. INSTALL WEATHER STRIPPING - As the temperatures heat up, make sure your windows and doors aren't going to let the cool air out of your home. Re-caulk and install weather stripping anywhere that could cause a draft. Your home's windows and doors lose a lot of heat in the wintertime and a lot of cool air in the summertime. ​​​​​​​

June ​HOME MAINTENANCE

JUNE - The beginning of summer is a great time to reduce fire hazards for your home, as well as protect it from the harsh temperatures that come with the season.

1. CLEAR DEAD PLANTS AND SHRUBS - If you have semi-annual plants that die after short periods of time or you just haven't taken care of dried up leaves and wood from the winter, do so now. As you enter the hottest days of the year, you don't want any potential fire hazards lying around your garden.
2. TRIM TREES - Trim shrubs and trees that could cause roof damage if they fall or if they are near electrical lines. Warm days can lead to nasty thunderstorms that could cause problems with dry wood and lightning.
3. TOUCH UP PAINT, SIDING - Paint and siding are like your home's skin. They protect its foundation and structure from sun, water, and wind. If you notice there are places where the siding is coming off or your paint is peeling, touch up those places.
4. REPLACE DAMAGED WINDOW SCREENS AND GLASS - Each year you should be checking your windows and screens for damage. If there are large holes in your screens, patch them or replace them in order to keep bugs out of your home. If you have any damaged glass, summer is the perfect time to replace it. As the temperatures drop in the winter, glass can crack more if water gets into the cracks and freezes.
5. CLEAN OUT WINDOW WELLS - Make sure your window wells are free of debris that could potentially be a fire hazard. Dead plants and garbage tend to make their way down into the wells. Make sure to clean them out each year. 
6. REPLACE YOUR SHOWER DIVERTER VALVE - A shower diverter valve brings water up from the bath faucet and then into the shower head.

July ​HOME MAINTENANCE

JULY - School is out, which means you'll be doing much more outside. Use these tips to get the outside of your home ready for summer.

1. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GARAGE DOOR - When school is out, it's time for swimming, soccer, and family vacations. 
2. CLEAN DECK - Clean and repair your deck as needed during this time. Leaving a deck uncleaned can serve as an invitation for pests and bugs to begin living in its wood.
3. CLEAN OUTDOOR INTAKE VALVES - If you have vents that use intake valves, make sure those are clean and clear of debris that could make your systems and appliances work harder than necessary.
4. CHECK DUCT-WORK TO SEE IF THERE ARE LEAKS - Assuming your air conditioner is up and running, go to the duct-work so you can visually inspect to see if there are any leaks. Run your hand along the joints of the duct-work to feel if any air is escaping. If you find leaks, call your HVAC specialist or home warranty company.
5. FIX CLOGGED SINKS - If your home has clogged sinks, use this blog to clear them out and get things running smoothly.

August Home Maintenance

AUGUST - As the temperatures heat up, it's time to remember that your home needs to have maintenance done on the inside as well. Here are some tips to keep the inside working as well as the outside of your home.

1. CLEAN CEILING FANS - If the temperatures are warm, you'll no doubt be using your ceiling fans. Make sure to clean them using a duster or wet cloth. You can use your manufacturer's owners' manual to ensure that you're maintaining your ceiling fans properly. If they do fail from old age and normal wear and tear, a home warranty can cover them.
2. CHECK TOILET AND REPAIR AS NEEDED - Opening the back of your toilet isn't something you generally do unless something has gone wrong when flushing. However, it's a good time to take a look at your water levels, check to see if your float is in the right position for a good flush, and check on the state of the flapper in your toilet. If you think that some parts need to be replaced or are falling into disrepair. If your toilet outright fails from normal wear and tear and old age, call your home warranty provider.
3. WATER SOFTENER - If you have a water softener you know you should be checking the water and salt levels consistently. However, now is a good time to check the tank to see if there are any salt bridges you should break up or if you need to replace the salt and drain your tank.
4. CLEAN GARBAGE DISPOSAL  - Garbage disposals can start to smell because of a build-up of food on the sides of the unit. ​

September ​HOME MAINTENANCE

SEPTEMBER - Summer is coming to a close and school has started. Now is a great time to focus on your water heater and begin to think about starting up your furnace.

1. FLUSH WATER HEATER - If you live in a state where the water has sediment in it, you'll want to flush your water heater at least annually. This removes sediment from the bottom of your tank and makes sure the tank lasts longer and heats up your water easier. If your water heater does fail from normal wear and tear, your home warranty can repair or replace it for a service call fee.
2. CHANGE SACRIFICIAL ANODE ROD - The anode rod is what makes sure the inside of your water heater doesn't rust. There are times it will need to be replaced, and you should make sure you replace it using the recommended size and type. Check this annually, but it will usually need to be replaced every three years.
3. TEST TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE IN WATER HEATER - This is another part of your water heater that needs to be checked annually. If this valve fails and the pressure is too great in your tank, it could explode, harming you, your family, and your home.
4. INSPECT HEAT EXCHANGE - As winter draws near, your thoughts will soon be turned to cold nights and starting your furnace. Before getting it going though, make sure your heat exchange don't have cracks. You can call a professional to inspect it for you.

October Home MAINTENANCE

OCTOBER - October is the official start of fall, which means it's the last chance to get your home winterized and ready for the freezing temperatures of winter.

1. REMOVE EXTERIOR HOSES AND DRAIN TO AVOID FROZEN PIPES - In winter and spring, we often get calls from homeowners with burst pipes and flooded basements. Usually, this is caused by water being improperly drained from the spigots, thereby freezing and cracking the pipes. Make sure to remove the hoses and get rid of the water inside of the spigot of your pipes.
2. WINTERIZE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER OR SWAMP COOLER - If you don't winterize your A/C unit, it's harder to get it running again next summer. 
3. HVAC TUNE- UP - Call a professional to get your furnace ready to go for the winter. A tune-up will include things like calibrating the thermostat, cleaning burners, replacing filters, tightening and cleaning electrical connections, and testing the pilot system. If you have a home warranty, you can get a furnace tune-up for a small service call fee.
4. VACUUM AND CLEAN FURNACE - Before you turn the heater on, make sure to clean the unit inside of your home with a clean cloth to get rid of dust and dirt. Then, open the unit (always turn it off first!) and vacuum the inside. This makes sure the air being taken into the furnace is cleaner and won't make your unit work as hard.
5. CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE - Ensure that your microwave is cleaned using this steaming technique.​

November Home MAINTENANCE

NOVEMBER

1. CHANGE FURNACE FILTERS REGULARLY - The HVAC technician who helped tune-up your furnace for the winter may have helped you change your filter, but you should be changing it every 1-3 months to keep your furnace running efficiently.
2. VACUUMING COILS ON FRIDGE - The evaporative coils on the bottom (or back) of a fridge keep the inside cool. They tend to collect a lot of dust, which acts as a blanket, making the fridge work harder than it needs to in order to keep your food cool. You can unplug your fridge and remove the grill on the bottom (or move the fridge from the wall) and vacuum the coils to keep your fridge running longer and cooler.
3. CLEAN FRIDGE DRAIN PAN - On some models, a fridge's drip pan is easy to remove and clean. You can clean it using bleach or with a shop vac. This will ensure that the drain pan won't overflow onto your floors.
4. CLEAN INSIDE OF FRIDGE - Clean the seals surrounding the fridge using a brush and soap and water. Then make sure the inside of your fridge is clean and ready to take on the extra food that is sure to reside there during the holidays.​

December Home MAINTENANCE

DECEMBER - REDUCE YOUR HEATING COSTS Keep your home warm this winter by using the above tips to reduce your heating costs.

1. CLEAN CIRCUIT BREAKER - It's common to use more energy during December than any other month —with the holiday lights, trees, and decorations, it's easy to overload your circuits. If you have a tripped circuit breaker, make sure to unplug it before setting the circuit breaker on again. You can clean your breaker box using a clean, dry cloth and vacuuming out the box itself.
2. TEST ALL ELECTRICAL OUTLETS - All you have to do to test these is push the "test" button. The reset button should pop out, and you simply push that back in to get the outlet started. If you find an outlet that isn't working properly, call an electrician or your home warranty company. Do not plug anything into that outlet.
3. RUN WATER IN UNUSED AREAS OF THE HOME - If you have guests coming into to town for the holidays, make sure to run water and flush the toilets in the guest areas of the home. Not only will this keep your pipes flowing freely throughout their stay, but it will make sure there aren't any blockages that you'll need to deal with while you have company.
4. REPLACE BATTERIES IN SMOKE DETECTORS - You should be testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Every year, you should change out the batteries in these devices to make sure you're never caught unawares.
5. INSPECT FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - Every year you should visually inspect your fire extinguisher for corrosion, leaks, a clogged nozzle, or a missing locking pin. You should replace it every 5 years.

Additional Resources:
http://www.lowes.com/cd_Home+Maintenance+Schedule+and+Checklist_1297357358_
http://www.remodelista.com/posts/expert-advice-malcolm-davies-tips-for-home-maintenance
http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/library/hhi/Healthy_Housing_CheckList.pdf