So you’ve moved into your new home, but you’re wondering how to maintain it long term. The good news is we’ve created an easy-to-follow home maintenance checklist packed with tips to help you keep your home in top condition.
Let’s get started.
Here are several key reasons:
Throughout the year, you should check your home—both outdoors and indoors—to prevent minor issues that could develop into major problems in the future. Let’s talk about the exterior first.
Checking your roof during the springtime is a great opportunity to see if there are signs of damage caused by winter weather, such as broken or missing shingles. If your home has skylights, be sure to also look for signs of cracking or spots that need resealing.
Every spring and fall, look for clogged gutters. Gutters help direct water away from your home. A gutter clogged with leaves and debris can lead to water damage to your roof or flooding of your basement, resulting in costly repairs. Unclog and reseal your gutters as needed, especially if you have trees around your home.
Having a professional technician service your air conditioning unit can help it run more efficiently and smoothly, prolonging its lifespan. If you plan to sell your home in the future, having a record of your AC unit being serviced regularly will show potential homebuyers that you took care of your property.
Thoroughly inspect the sealing around your windows and doors both indoors and outdoors for split or broken caulk. Broken seals will let moisture seep into your home and allow heat or cold air drafts to escape during the winter and summer, raising your energy bill.
If your new home has painted side panels or walls, a paint touch-up can help your home look fresh, keep moisture out, and prevent sun rot. Keep an eye out for paint bubbling, another sign that moisture is seeping into—and getting trapped—into your wall.
Every year, you should check your wood siding and trim panels for rot, crumbling, or warping caused by bugs (such as termites), water, or sun exposure. Repair as needed. Look and see if the paint needs a touch-up or replacement entirely. Consistent cleaning can prolong the life of your home’s exterior and maintain its clean appearance.
If your house is made of brick or stucco, look for crumbling mortar or loose bricks caused by water damage. Keep sprinklers from spraying against your home as this can speed up the deterioration of your home’s brick, mortar, and stucco.
Trim shrubs and remove dead branches to stimulate plant growth and keep them healthy. Replace dead shrubs with new ones. Hire a professional tree-pruning company if branches pose a potential threat to your property. Lastly, ensure your irrigation system works properly and your lawn receives enough water.
If you have a wooden deck/patio, look for any fading or discoloration. Restain or reseal wood decks every two to three years to prevent sun and water damage.
Every year before winter or the first freeze hits, you should winterize or insulate your outdoor water faucets to prevent your pipes from freezing. Water left in your faucets or pipes can freeze, causing them to burst inside your home or disrupt your outdoor water supply. You can learn more about how to de-winterize your home in our blog post.
Replace your furnace and air conditioning filters every three months. Air filters help remove dust and keep your air ducts from getting clogged, but over time, a clogged air filter will slow airflow and put strain on your AC unit. This can shorten its lifespan and force it to run less efficiently.
Check to see if there are any wet spots in your insulation or floor, leaks, or cracks in your attic, basement, and crawlspace.
Inspect your outlets to make sure they work. If they are dead, have a loose connection, or the cover feels warm, it’s time to replace them. Hire a professional electrician to have them fixed before they become a problem down the road.
Give your floors and carpets (and rugs) a fresh vacuum and deep clean to keep them fresh and smelling nice. If you don’t have the equipment to clean the floors yourself, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner to do the job for you.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends changing the backup batteries in your smoke alarms once a year. Similarly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests doing the same for carbon monoxide detectors. If you hear a chirping sound coming from your detectors, it’s time to replace the batteries.
Set aside time to clean the whole interior of your home. We’re talking bathrooms, the garage, the kitchen, and bedrooms. This is a great opportunity to check for leaks, mold, or other issues that may need addressing. It can also help you declutter and organize areas such as your garage or kitchen for a tidier environment.
Dust will accumulate on your refrigerator and freezer coils over time. Remove the dust with a brush or vacuum every six months or once a year. Cleaning the dust will help your fridges and freezers run efficiently.
Want the summarized version? Download the condensed home maintenance checklist for your personal use. Use it as a reminder, for your reference, or to help you stay organized.
Spring
Check the Rooftop for Damage
Clean Gutters
Check for Crumbling Brickwork/Stucco
Prune Shrubs
Check Attic/Basement/Crawlspace for Leaks & Moisture
Clean Carpets/Rugs
Replace Furnace Filters
Summer
Service AC Unit
Maintain Lawn Space
Recaulk Windows/Doors
Touch Up Exterior Paint (as needed)
Inspect Siding/Trim for Rot
Replace Furnace Filters
Clean Refrigerator/Freezer Coils
Fall
Clean Gutters
Rake Leaves
Winterize/Insulate Faucets
Test Smoke Alarms/Carbon Monoxide Detectors (every six months or year)
Replace Furnace Filters
Winter
Replace Dead Outlets
Deep Clean Home Interior
Garage
Bedrooms
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Replace Furnace Filters
Clean Refrigerator/Freezer Coils
As a new homeowner, there are a few things you won’t need to worry about checking immediately, as an inspector will ensure the essentials are functioning properly—such as your HVAC, plumbing, roof, and electrical systems. However, you should look at the inspection report to see if there are any recommendations. Additionally, it is recommended that you change the locks on your new home, especially if it’s an older home.
Lastly, acquiring homeowner’s insurance will add another level of protection and security in the event of damage caused by wind, fire, lightning, hail, snow, vandalism, water (e.g. plumbing issues), or falling objects. Keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance won’t cover everything. In Utah, for example, water damage caused by flooding is not covered.
How often you should inspect and maintain your home will depend on where you live. Each area will have varying climates, weather patterns, and hazards that you will need to consider.
While you shouldn’t feel like you need to do everything listed in a single day, it is important to stay proactive with your home care to spot potential issues and prevent them from getting out of control. Regularly scheduling home maintenance can save you money in the long run. With these home maintenance tips in mind, you’re better prepared to keep your home in good condition. For more home maintenance tips and advice, check out EDGEhomes’ Education Hub & Blog.
08/05/2024
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