Keeping your home in pristine condition is often the easiest way to eliminate overhead costs and have a place that lasts for a lifetime. However, home maintenance is not something that should be done only when certain issues arise. It’s much more cost-efficient to set up a schedule for your home repairs that’s regular and consistent throughout the year.
The easiest way to do that is to create a home maintenance checklist for all four seasons and stick to it. This will ensure you don’t miss anything important regarding keeping your home in tip-top shape. To help you get started, below, you’ll find our ultimate home maintenance checklist that should allow you to prepare for any eventuality.
Read on and learn how to keep your home in excellent condition all year round!
Spring
Spring is a time when nature begins to return to life. The same is true for your home – after a long winter, there are usually a few things that need to be checked and perhaps repaired to return your place to its former glory.
Your first order of business should be to put extra effort into cleaning your home. Wipe all the dust off surfaces, vacuum carpets, mop floors, wash windows, etc. You should also take this opportunity to sort through and declutter any closets or storage spaces that have been collecting clutter all winter long.
A thorough spring cleaning will ensure that your home is tidy, organized, and ready for any further spring maintenance that may need to be conducted.
Once you’ve gotten your tidying out of the way, it’s time to start checking all around your home for potential damage or disrepair. Winter weather is notorious for causing wear and tear on homes, so it’s a good idea to start with the exterior of your property.
Check all the shingles on your roof to ensure they haven’t come loose or blown off. If you find any missing shingles, replace them as soon as possible.
You should also look at your gutters and downspouts to see if they need any repairs or replacement parts installed. It’s a good idea to clear out any twigs, leaves, or other debris from the gutters so that water can flow freely through them.
Spring is also a good time to check your garden irrigation system and ensure it works properly. It’s a good idea to inspect your sprinkler heads and make sure they’re capable of watering your yard adequately. After all, a healthy lawn is the best way to ensure that your home has curb appeal.
Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. However, the warmer weather can also have a negative impact on your home if you’re not careful.
The first thing you’ll want to do is make your home ready for any guests that you might have. Summer is traditionally the time of year when people visit their family and friends, so it’s a good idea to ensure that your home is safe and secure.
Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check any fire extinguishers to see if they’re still usable. You should also check all of your home’s locks and see if they’re still in good working order.
Another summer priority should be getting your air conditioning system ready for the hot weather. In most cases, you’ll want to hire a professional service to come and inspect your AC system for any potential issues. However, you can also do a DIY inspection by checking the outside unit for any dirt or debris blocking the vents and replacing the filters.
Fall
Fall is a time when the leaves turn colors, the weather gets cooler, and people start thinking about the holidays. It’s also an excellent time to check on your home and ensure everything is in good working order.
During the fall season, your priority tasks should focus on preparing your home for winter. This means ensuring that your gutters are clean and free of debris, checking if all of your windows are properly sealed, and testing your furnace or heat pump to ensure it’s in good working order. You should also check all pipes running through your attic and see if they’re sufficiently insulated not to freeze in the winter.
It’s also a good idea to inspect your fireplace and chimney before the cold weather hits. This will ensure that they’re clean and ready to use in case you need them.
Winter
During the winter, people bundle up, drink hot chocolate, and stay indoors as much as possible – after all, it’s not a season associated with serious maintenance. In other words, your efforts should be pretty similar to those during the fall season.
Regularly check your gutters and downspouts to get rid of the snow or ice that might otherwise block them. Inspect your windows to ensure they remain sealed and insulated, so you don’t lose any heat. And, of course, remember to look for any leaks or cracks in your home’s exterior so that the cold winter weather doesn’t have time to do any serious damage.
If you have an emergency power generator, test it at least once a week – this will ensure that it’s ready to go in case a particularly nasty blizzard cuts you off from the grid. You might need that for heat, after all.
Conclusion
The above list is by no means exhaustive, but it should give you a good idea of what needs to be done during each season to ensure that your home is in excellent condition. By staying on top of these things, you’ll avoid any significant repair costs in the future and have a home that lasts for many years to come.
If some of these tasks feel too much for your liking, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a professional home maintenance company. With their help, you’ll be able to rest assured that your home is in good hands and that it’s being properly taken care of. Even if the cost of their services is a bit high, it’s well worth it in the long run. Good luck!
