A home should be your safe haven, providing you with shelter and comfort. For that, you need to take care of it. Redecorating or remodeling once in some time is not enough – regular maintenance is a must if you want to stay protected all the time. And trust us, if you schedule the seasonal updates correctly, it won’t take as much time or money as you imagine. In this article, you’ll find a home maintenance checklist suitable for every season. Taking care of all the repairs, cleaning, checking your garage and roof, testing smoke alarms, are just some of the regular tasks you should be able to do yourself. Read on, and learn more about keeping your house in good shape.
Fall Checklist
In fall, the leaves begin changing color, and you need to start preparing for winter. This means inspecting your doors, garage doors, and windows for any problems. Inspect all the seals and screens, check window locks, replace the torsional springs in the garage, and repair any damages you find. After that, you can proceed with cleaning your windows and washing them with ammonia-based products.
You will also need to clean the gutters before the leaves begin falling down. Make sure to check your chimneys for possible blockages, so they can work properly during winter (and you don’t get smoke coming back inside). Be sure to check whether your roof is in good condition or not – even if it looks like it’s in good shape, make sure that it won’t fail during a storm or heavy rain.
Ways to save money each fall include :
- Replacing your water heater – Your water heater is one of the most important parts of your household because it provides warmth and comfort. You should replace the tank at least once every 5 years or when the maximum capacity is reached. Another way to save money is to turn off the heater if you are not using it, but don’t forget that it can be dangerous if it gets cold.
- Check your sump pump – A sump pump is a drainage system that keeps your basement dry in case of excess water. It is recommended that its battery is changed at least once every 3 years.
- Clean your ductions and condensers – Ductions and condensers are responsible for the proper circulation of air in your home – so keep them clean and free from debris! If you have trees close to your house, this is especially important because they can blow leaves onto your ducts. If there is too much debris on your condenser or ducts, you can clean them yourself by using a vacuum cleaner. Otherwise, contact a professional for help.
- Check the roof for damage – The roof is also very important for keeping your house safe. It protects you from weather conditions outside, and it prevents water damage inside. You should check it at least once a year, and you should clean it yourself only if you feel like doing it. If you don’t feel like doing this yourself you should call a professional because they will do it faster and safer.
Winter Checklist
The winter cold can be dangerous for your home, especially if you live in a place with long winters and harsh weather conditions. You have to be prepared for snowstorms, ice, freezing temperatures, etc. The best way to keep your home safe during this time is by making sure that the water pipes are working fine, and you have a good backup heating system installed.
Winter is also a good opportunity to check the insulation in your attic and on the walls. If you find that there is a problem with this aspect of your home, contact a professional insulation company right away. They will provide you with all the necessary information about the materials you need and how to install them correctly.
Ways to save money each winter include:
- Check all doors and for damage – Your doors are one of the most important components of your house because they let you in and out, and protect the inside from moisture and heat loss so checking them is essential! They should be opened and closed regularly to prevent rust. This is especially important if you live in a humid area and if the doors are made of metal.
- Install double-glazed windows – Windows are also very important. Double-glazed ones will make your heating bills go down, and single-glazed ones will reduce energy losses, and don’t forget to change the batteries of your smoke detector!
Spring Checklist
In early spring, you’ll need to check for mold inside your home. The first signs of mold appear in the areas where it’s warm and moist. So, if you have an unfinished basement, or if your kitchen is not properly ventilated, you should be extra careful this season. To prevent mold from spreading and ruining your home, make sure that the temperature is comfortable inside. Open windows in sunny weather, and use dehumidifiers when needed.
The most common spring maintenance tasks are cleaning, airing, and testing the smoke detectors. You should also check the gas levels of appliances, clean filters in heating and cooling systems, and test air conditioners (if you have them). Also, keep moisture out of your home by installing good ventilation systems in the bathrooms and kitchens.
Ways to save money in spring include:
- Cleaning your heating system – It is recommended to clean your heating system once a year because dust and dirt can cause serious damage in the long run. If you have a central heating system, vacuum it from time to time while it is running – this will help remove dirt trapped in the pipe junctions. When you need to clean radiators, use hot water and a soft brush and follow the manufacturer’s advice on how to mix the solution for each kind of radiator. Remember: it’s better to clean your radiators than to pay high heating bills!
- Check filters in your cooling systems – As for cooling systems, you should check filters twice a year – once before summer starts, and another time before fall begins. If you want to save money on your electricity bills, replace one old filter with one new one at each checkup – this way, your AC will keep working well for longer! If you have an air conditioning system in your office or a large room, you should check it after using it every day – if it doesn’t cool well, it could be damaged.
- Check gas levels – If you have a gas water heater or stove, check the levels regularly. If the gas tank is full, your appliances will last longer. Besides, if it is empty, you may be in danger of explosion so it’s best to avoid that!
Summer Checklist
This time of year is perfect for checking your plumbing system. The summer heat might cause some problems with the plumbing, so don’t neglect it. Check your pipes regularly, because they might get damaged due to the overuse of water as well as due to the changes in temperature. If you spot any leaks or damages, contact a professional plumber immediately. Don’t try to fix it yourself – this can lead to severe damage and even flooding.
Most of the maintenance tasks in summer are similar to the ones for spring, with one major difference, you should check the outdoor air conditioning system, as well as your hot tub (if you have one). During this season, it’s also time to check the fire alarm and replace damaged window screens.
Ways to save money during the summer include:
- Check fences for damage – Check your fences and gates at least once a year. This should be done at least once a year because they can fall into disrepair over time and your pets may escape or get hurt! You should also fix them if you notice any damage or if they don’t work properly.
- Change the filter in the hot tub -If you have a hot tub, you should change the filters regularly. In addition, make sure there is enough chlorine in the water otherwise, you risk getting an algae infection.
Summary
In order to keep your house in order, it’s best to keep a checklist of all the chores most people forget to get around to. Most people know about spring cleaning but keeping your home from falling apart under your feet is a year-round job. This small checklist of chores and home maintenance will make sure that this doesn’t happen to you. If you feel that you are unprepared or don’t have enough knowledge to do them yourself, you can easily find professionals to do the job for you. Each season throughout the year comes with its own set of chores and challenges and it is super important for everyone to stay on top of them. If you don’t some of these items may get to a point where they are too damaged to repair, which means that you will end up spending a lot more money replacing them!