The average person spends anywhere between 1% and 4% of a home’s value on annual maintenance. But forgetting to stay on top of maintenance can end up costing you a lot more in the long run.
To ensure your home stays in tip-top shape, consider making a home maintenance calendar. This way, you’ll always know when it’s time to upkeep different areas of your home.
Do you need help getting started? Keep reading to discover our guide to creating a home maintenance calendar.
Monthly
Some tasks need to be done at least once a month. Consider doing these on the first day of the month to ensure they get done every 30-31 days.
- Clean the furnace filter
- Test smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors
- Vacuum heat vents
- Ensure nothing’s blocking indoor and outdoor vents
- Clean the garbage disposal
You’ll also want to ensure you’re keeping up with your weekly tasks, like vacuuming, cleaning the stove top, dusting, and cleaning the bathroom.
Seasonal
Luckily, most home maintenance tasks only have to be done once a year. It’s recommended that you do a few tasks every season.
Fall
Fall is a great time to tackle outdoor maintenance tasks as the days are typically cool and dry. Below are some tasks you should plan to do at the beginning of fall.
- Winterize exterior plumbing, hoses, and sprinkling systems
- Check and clean the fireplace
- Clean gutters
- Inspect roofing for damage
- Use caulk to seal gaps or cracks around doors and windows
- Replace old, drafty windows
Additionally, make sure you’re completing any tasks necessary to prepare for winter, such as winterizing screened patios or moving patio furniture into the garage.
Winter
If you live in an area that gets cold winters, use this time to focus on interior maintenance tasks. Below are some tasks you should add to your list.
- Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan
- Clean refrigerator coils and drip trays
- Clean oven
- Cover air conditioning unit
If pipes freeze during the winter, they can end up leaking and causing quite a bit of water damage. If you have exposed pipes in your basement, you’ll want to ensure you insulate them before it gets too cold.
Spring
Spring can be one of the busiest times for home maintenance. Not only will you want to do some spring cleaning inside, but you’ll also want to give your home’s exterior some attention. Here’s a list of the top tasks to be completed in spring.
- Change air conditioning filter
- Have air conditioning system professionally serviced
- Polish wood furniture
- Research pressure washing cost and give your siding a good cleaning
- Redo the caulking in your bathroom, if necessary
- Clean tile grout
- Shampoo carpets
- Clean gutters and inspect them for damage
- Wash windows and screens
With spring being a popular time for garage sales, you may also want to take this opportunity to declutter and sell things you no longer use.
Summer
Summer is a time to go on family vacations and spend quality time with your kids. So, if you complete your spring-cleaning checklist, your summer maintenance tasks will be minimal. Just be sure to do the following.
- Clean kitchen exhaust fan and filter
- Fertilize lawn, if necessary
- Oil garage door, hinges, and chains
- Prune shrubs
Summer is also a great time to do any home renovations, like repainting or getting new carpet.
Your Home Maintenance Calendar
Don’t let vital maintenance tasks slip through the cracks. Just follow use this guide to create the ultimate home maintenance calendar.
Do you have trouble keeping your kitchen organized? Then check out these tips to help it say tidy throughout the year.
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