Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Are you a homeowner and want a seasonal home maintenance checklist? Here is the ultimate checklist you should follow for seasonal home maintenance, as well as why it is important. 

Properly maintaining your home is something so simple but can be huge. Just like our regular health checkups, your home needs upkeep as well. Continuing to check your appliances, exterior, security, electrical systems, and many other things helps prevent breakdowns, save you money, and keep your home in the best shape. 

Owning a home can be a blessing and a curse. If you are not prepared for all the work that goes into being a homeowner, it can become very overwhelming and costly. Following a home maintenance checklist is a simple and easy way to ensure your property stays in its best shape. 

Remember to address different tasks based on the season, as well as monthly and yearly maintenance. Initially, it might seem overwhelming, but with proper preparation and knowing what needs to be done, maintaining your home becomes more manageable. To keep a healthy home, it's important to ensure that it is clean, dry, and well-ventilated, which makes it easier to manage other maintenance tasks.

To ensure you feel prepared to own a home, keep reading to learn about the home maintenance checklist and why it is important. 

Here is the ultimate checklist you should follow for seasonal home maintenance. 

1. Fall Maintenance

Fall can be the best time to tackle any home maintenance projects because the weather is usually dry, and the temperatures are moderate in most areas. Before you start using any maintenance products, you should always examine the home's interior and exterior. You may need a professional's help with some tasks, so make sure you know what you can do ahead of time. 

Here are some tasks you may want to complete in the fall time based on categories. Fall maintenance is important for boosting curb appeal. 

Yard Work

• Rake leaves and mow lawn
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters
• Pest prevention: Keep firewood and shrubs away from the house and repair any rotten or broken wood
• Drain and winterize exterior plumbing, including hoses and sprinkler systems

Exterior Repairs

• Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway
• Power wash windows and siding
• Touch up the siding and trim with paint
• Inspect the roof for any damage or missing shingles
• Repair or replace siding
• Clean windows and doors
• Replace old windows with new versions
• Seal cracks or gaps with caulk or weather stripping
• Inspect and fix any broken exterior door hardware
• Wrap insulation around faucets and pipes outdoor

Interior Repairs

• The air seating system was inspected by a professional
• Check the fireplace for damage or hazards
• Tune up major appliances
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Install smoke detectors on every floor
• Clean carpets
• Vaccum lint
• Check the water heater for any leaks

2. Spring Maintenance

Once the winter season is over, the ground will start to thaw, and the trees will begin to bud again, so it is time to prep your home for springtime. Springtime is usually related to regular spring cleaning. However, there are other things you should upkeep with during this time to make sure your home is still in the best shape

According to Fannie Mae, here are some of the things you should maintain and check during the springtime. 

Landscaping

• Fertilize your lawn
• Rake up leaves
• Prune trees and shrubs
• Refinish the deck

Exterior 

• Clean windows and door screens
• Remove any debris and leaves from the gutters
• Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank
• Inspect the roof for any repairs
• Inspect the chimney for damage
• Wash windows
• Powerwash home
• Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping
• Remove the insulation from outdoor faucets and sprinklers 

Interior 

• Clean faucet aerators and showerheads
• Change the air conditioner filter
• Polish wood furniture and dust light fixtures
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking
• Vacuum lint from the dryer vent
• Have the air conditioning unit serviced
• Drain or flush the water heater

3. Summer Maintenance

When the sun is out and the weather temperatures are climbing, home maintenance and outside work are the last things you want to do. If you have been preparing your home and doing all the necessary maintenance, you should have little things to do in the summertime but do not ignore them. 

Interior 

• Remove lint from the dryer vent
• Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter
• Clean fridge and freezer coils and empty/clean the drip trays
• Check the dishwasher for any leaks
• Check around the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and around toilets for leaks
• Replace faucet and showerhead if needed
• Seal tile grout

4. Winter Maintenance

The winter season can be the most harsh on your home. The below-freezing temperatures can cause many problems that you will need to replace. To prevent the winter storm and avoid spending money on issues, be sure you check off any of these items before the winter season comes along. 

Interior

• Check the basement for any leaks during thaw-out time
• Vaccum bathroom exhaust fan grill
• Vaccum fridge and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays
• Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers
• Set up mouse traps

Exterior

• Cover the air conditioning unit
• Inspect the roof and gutters for any damage
• Stock up on salt and ice melt

Preparing your home for winter is essential. Winter home maintenance can help keep your home warm, lower energy bills, and prevent catastrophic problems. The weather can have a huge impact on your home, so keeping up with it, especially during very hot and very cold climates, is essential. During the winter and summer, one thing you need to keep an eye on is your HVAC system.

5. Monthly Home Maintenance

Inspecting your home monthly and committing to home improvement projects will keep your maintenance budget on track and easier to manage. Here are some things you should check every month to save you money and time. 

Air and Vent

• Clean furnace: Remove dust build-ups - makes it easier to regulate home temperature and decrease energy bills
• Vaccum heat registers and heat vents
• Check indoor and outdoor air vents to make sure they are not blocked

Plumbing and Water

• Check water softener and replenish salt if needed
• Clean garbage disposal 
• Inspect tub and drains for debris and unclog
• Flush out hot water from the water heater

Home Safety

• Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and all ground fault circuit interrupters
• Inspect electrical cords

6. Why Routine Maintenance Is Important

Owning a home can be great, but it always comes with a lot of things. From big to small things, the more you spend time repairing and replacing things, the better your house will be in the long run, and you will be as well, mentally, financially, and physically. Here are some benefits to help you understand why home maintenance is important. 

1. Save Money
2. Reduce Additional Damage
3. Validate Insurance and Warranties
4. Save Energy
5. Extend the Life of Appliances
6. Increase Home Value
7. Boast Home Safety
8. Minimize Pest
9. Enhance Quality of Life
10. Relieve Stress
11. Improve Health

Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases people make. This critical investment requires regular maintenance and seasonal upkeep to make sure your home holds value and is in the best condition possible.

Following the seasons when you are doing home maintenance can help you split up tasks as well as the cost, so it is not as daunting as it may seem. Certain times of year may need more fixing and repairing, like after winter, and some times do not need much help, like summer. 

Home repairs and maintenance should be done before the worst happens. The sooner, the better; this will help prevent damage and keep costs down. Home maintenance can be completed on a regular or monthly schedule. At least once every six months, inspect your house and yard thoroughly to identify needed work. 

7. How Much Should I Budget for Home Maintenance?

Many people do not save money for home maintenance. Like everything else, home maintenance costs money and sometimes a lot of money. The basic rule of thumb is to set aside anywhere between 1-4% of your home value in a house maintenance account. 

When you create this maintenance budget, you will want to add more if you are considering any additional projects, such as painting your front door or adding an extra room. There should be a part where you have your basic savings and some wiggle room for the future. 

You never know when something will happen, especially when you are a homeowner. You should always be prepared to fix and repair many things. Some things can cost a couple of hundred dollars, while others will cost a couple thousand, so saving money for unforeseen circumstances is essential. 

According to Forbes, home maintenance costs have been rising as well as everything else. Earlier this year, they estimated that homeowners can expect to pay $14,155 a year in hidden costs associated with owning a home. Data shows that the average home maintenance cost increased by $400 from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. 

Methodology

We used information from different sources and our data to create this guide about seasonal home maintenance checklists. There were various data to use, so we put them together to help you have a seasonal maintenance checklist to use.

• Bankrate
• Fannie Mae
• Everyday Old House
• Forbes

Above are a few sources we used to gather most of our information on a seasonal home maintenance checklist. 

FAQS

How much does an average person spend on home maintenance?

On average, home maintenance can cost up to $16,600 per year. A general rule of thumb is to calculate home maintenance costs using 1% of the home's value.

What is seasonal maintenance?

Seasonal maintenance is a smart and cost-effective strategy for staying ahead of necessary home repairs. Some tasks are inevitable, but some are hidden and can become a bigger issue if not addressed in time. 

What maintenance does a house need every year?

The most important home maintenance tasks to keep your home safe and running smoothly include cleaning out the gutters each spring and fall, cleaning and inspecting the HVAC system twice a year, changing filters monthly, and cleaning clogs. It's also important to look for leaks and damaged pipes.

How do I make a maintenance checklist?

To create the best home checklist, identify your assets, define your tasks, prioritize and schedule, and, most importantly, save money. Home maintenance can become costly over time, so it's important to be prepared for hidden and unforeseen costs.

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist - The Bottom Line

Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities, can be a lot to maintain, and can cost you a lot of money. But if you keep up with your home and repairs, owning a home can become more accessible and more affordable. 

Many people do not like home maintenance tasks, and they can be easy to put off, but if you keep up with these monthly and seasonal maintenance tasks, you can prevent further issues in the future and increase your home value. 

Different tasks for different times of year are important because the environment around you will affect what your home needs to be taken care of. However, keep in mind that you may need to adjust your checklist based on your home type, what appliances you use, and whether you have any service contracts that include maintenance. 

Following a home maintenance checklist is a great way to ensure your home stays in the best shape possible. Dividing the tasks by season makes them more manageable and helps you spread the cost throughout the year. Using a handy checklist can relieve homeowners' stress by assisting them to keep their homes in the best condition. 

If you are considering moving or selling, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.