1. Seasonal & Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring

Exterior

•  Walk around the entire exterior and look for winter damage

•  Inspect roof for missing, cracked, curled, or damaged shingles

•  Check roof flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights

•  Look for signs of roof leaks in the attic

•  Clean gutters and downspouts

•  Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation

•  Check exterior drainage after heavy rain

•  Inspect foundation for new cracks or moisture

•  Check siding, brick, stucco, or exterior finishes for damage

•  Touch up peeling exterior paint

•  Inspect exterior caulking around windows and doors

•  Repair damaged window or door screens

•  Wash exterior windows

•  Check decks, stairs, porches, and railings for loose boards or fasteners

•  Clean and reseal wood decks if needed

•  Inspect fences and gates

•  Pressure wash patios, sidewalks, and exterior surfaces as needed

•  Inspect driveway and walkways for cracks or trip hazards

•  Check outdoor lighting

•  Check exterior outlets and GFCIs

•  Inspect hose bibs for freeze damage or leaks

•  Reconnect and inspect garden hoses

HVAC & Mechanical

•  Schedule air-conditioning service

•  Replace or clean HVAC filter

•  Clean around outdoor HVAC condenser

•  Remove leaves and debris from outdoor units

•  Check condensate drain

•  Test thermostat

•  Clean ceiling fans

•  Reverse ceiling fans to summer direction if applicable

Plumbing

•  Check under sinks for leaks

•  Inspect toilets for leaks or running

•  Check faucets for drips

•  Check water heater for leaks or corrosion

•  Inspect visible plumbing for moisture

•  Test sump pump if applicable

•  Inspect basement/crawlspace for moisture

Safety

•  Test smoke alarms

•  Test carbon monoxide alarms

•  Replace batteries if needed

•  Check fire extinguishers

•  Review family emergency plan

•  Check emergency supplies

Lawn & Landscaping

•  Clean landscaping beds

•  Trim shrubs away from the house

•  Trim tree limbs away from roof and utility lines

•  Inspect trees for dead or damaged limbs

•  Add mulch where needed while keeping it away from siding/foundation

•  Check irrigation system

•  Inspect outdoor drains

•  Fertilize or seed lawn as appropriate for your climate

Summer

Exterior

•  Inspect siding and exterior finishes

•  Check roof after severe storms

•  Clean gutters if debris has accumulated

•  Check drainage around foundation

•  Inspect deck and patio furniture

•  Check deck boards, railings, and stairs

•  Inspect fencing and gates

•  Lubricate exterior door hinges and locks

•  Inspect garage door

•  Test garage door auto-reverse feature

•  Check weather stripping around exterior doors

•  Wash exterior windows as needed

HVAC

•  Replace or clean HVAC filter

•  Keep outdoor condenser clear of vegetation

•  Check HVAC drain lines

•  Clean return vents and registers

•  Check thermostat operation

•  Watch for unusually high energy bills that may indicate HVAC problems

Plumbing & Appliances

•  Inspect washing machine hoses

•  Clean washing machine filter if applicable

•  Clean dishwasher filter

•  Clean refrigerator coils

•  Replace refrigerator water filter if due

•  Inspect refrigerator water line

•  Clean garbage disposal

•  Check under sinks and appliances for leaks

•  Flush rarely used drains

Safety

•  Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

•  Check fire extinguishers

•  Inspect grills and propane connections

•  Keep grills away from siding and combustible surfaces

•  Check exterior lighting

Pest & Moisture Control

•  Look for termites or other wood-destroying insects

•  Inspect for ants, wasps, rodents, and other pests

•  Check attic for pests or moisture

•  Check crawlspace or basement

•  Look for condensation around plumbing and HVAC systems

•  Make sure bathrooms and exhaust fans are ventilating properly

Fall

Exterior

•  Inspect roof

•  Clean gutters and downspouts

•  Confirm downspouts discharge away from foundation

•  Inspect chimney exterior

•  Check flashing

•  Inspect siding and exterior paint

•  Seal exterior gaps and cracks

•  Inspect windows and doors

•  Replace damaged weather stripping

•  Check exterior caulking

•  Inspect deck, stairs, and railings

•  Clean and store outdoor furniture as appropriate

•  Disconnect hoses before freezing weather

•  Drain outdoor faucets if required in your climate

•  Winterize irrigation systems where necessary

•  Clean leaves from exterior drains

•  Inspect trees and remove hazardous limbs

Heating System

•  Schedule furnace/heating system service

•  Replace HVAC filter

•  Test thermostat

•  Clean heat registers

•  Check fireplace and chimney

•  Schedule chimney cleaning if needed

•  Inspect fireplace damper

•  Stock firewood safely away from house if applicable

Interior

•  Check windows and doors for drafts

•  Clean dryer vent

•  Vacuum refrigerator coils

•  Clean kitchen exhaust fan/filter

•  Check attic insulation

•  Look for signs of roof leaks

•  Inspect basement or crawlspace for moisture

Safety

•  Test smoke alarms

•  Test carbon monoxide alarms

•  Replace batteries as needed

•  Check fire extinguishers

•  Review emergency heating options

•  Prepare flashlights and batteries for winter outages

Winter

Interior

•  Replace HVAC filter

•  Check thermostat

•  Monitor indoor humidity

•  Look for condensation on windows

•  Check plumbing for leaks

•  Inspect pipes in colder areas of the home

•  Protect pipes during severe freezes

•  Check attic for moisture or condensation

•  Inspect basement/crawlspace

•  Clean kitchen exhaust filters

•  Clean bathroom exhaust fans

•  Vacuum vents and registers

Exterior

•  Check roof after storms

•  Monitor gutters and downspouts for ice or blockages

•  Watch for ice dams in cold climates

•  Keep snow away from exterior vents if applicable

•  Keep walkways and entrances safe

•  Inspect trees after severe weather

•  Check exterior pipes and faucets for freeze damage

Safety

•  Test smoke alarms

•  Test carbon monoxide alarms

•  Check fire extinguishers

•  Check emergency supplies

•  Make sure home address numbers are visible

•  Review generator safety if using one

Once Each Year

•  Professional HVAC inspection/service

•  Roof inspection

•  Chimney/fireplace inspection if applicable

•  Dryer vent cleaning

•  Water heater inspection

•  Pest/termite inspection as appropriate

•  Septic inspection/service according to system schedule

•  Well water testing if applicable

•  Garage door inspection

•  Inspect electrical panel for visible concerns

•  Inspect plumbing shutoff valves

•  Check water pressure

•  Inspect toilets, faucets, and supply lines

•  Check caulking around showers and tubs

•  Inspect grout

•  Check attic ventilation

•  Check attic insulation

•  Inspect foundation

•  Inspect crawlspace/basement

•  Clean refrigerator coils

•  Inspect washing machine hoses

•  Clean dishwasher filter

•  Deep clean range hood

•  Test all GFCI outlets

•  Test smoke and CO alarms

•  Review fire extinguisher expiration

•  Review homeowners insurance coverage

•  Update home inventory

•  Update maintenance records

•  Review warranties

•  Review emergency contact information