Buying a home is often a financially smart move, especially as mortgage rates are at all-time lows. However, if you are going from renting to buying, you might be surprised at the amount of money you need to set aside for home maintenance and repairs. On average, Americans spend close to $5000 annually on home repairs.
Many times, you can avoid costly repairs by doing preventative home maintenance. There are certain things you can do to your home to keep your appliances, systems, and infrastructure running smoothly and effectively. Read on for our seasonal home maintenance checklist you can follow to keep your home in top shape.
Spring
We’re all familiar with spring cleaning, but don’t limit it to just the inside of your house. Spring is a good time to do maintenance on the outside of your home, especially if you’re in a winter state and the ground has thawed. Do these tasks every spring to maintain your home:
- Inspect screens and repair or replace if needed
- Powerwash the outside of your home
- Reseal any outdoor woodwork
- Have your windows cleaned
- Repair driveway cracks that may have happened during the colder months
- Clean out your flower beds and clear any dirt, leaves, or other debris from around your house
- Inspect your irrigation system and replace any broken sprinkler heads
- Check your smoke detectors and replace the batteries (it’s always encouraged to do this during the spring and fall time changes)
- Fertilize your yard
If you live in an area that’s covered in snow and ice much of the winter, spring is the time to assess your home and yard and make sure it’s ready for the summer.
Summer
Once spring turns into summer, keep these tasks in mind:
- Trim trees and remove dead ones
- Keep your lawn and flower beds clear of weeds and debris
- Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks
- Have your HVAC system tuned up so it runs efficiently all summer (call the best HVAC contractor for this)
- Clean your dryer vent
- Touch up exterior paint (including doors and trim)
- Clean your grill
- Replace any damaged or rotting wood on your deck, powerwash the deck, restain as needed
Make sure you take some time during the summer to actually enjoy your home and your hard work as well!
Fall
Depending on where you live, fall should be spent getting ready for the cold winter months (or enjoying the extended summer if you live in a southern state!). These tasks should be on your fall maintenance list:
- Drain and disconnect garden hoses
- Clean your gutters and downspouts (do this after the leaves have fallen off the trees)
- Rake up and dispose of leaves from your yard and flower beds
- Aerate your lawn and prune shrubs and trees
- Have your chimney and fireplace inspected
- Schedule a furnace tune-up
- Cover your outdoor furniture and grill or store inside
- If you have to deal with snow or ice in your area, make sure you have gas for your snowblower, snow shovels, salt for ice removal, and snow brushes in your cars
Don’t get caught unprepared during the first freeze or snowstorm of the season!
Winter
In the winter, cold temperatures can cause damage to your home, so make sure you’re prepared.
- Don’t allow ice dams to form on your roof
- Clear snow and ice from walkways, driveway, and sidewalks
- Insulate your home properly
- Cover your central air conditioner unit outside (if it’s cold and you don’t use it during the winter)
- Winterize summer lawn equipment, like lawnmowers and weed eaters
Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist
While some home repairs are inevitable, as the life span of things in your home isn’t infinite, you can extend their life by taking preventative maintenance regularly. Use this home maintenance checklist to prep your home for every season. Another smart financial move is to ensure that you have a savings account for emergency and unexpected home repairs.
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