The Season-by-Season Complete Home Maintenance Guide: What to Do

Home repair is not something that happens, but something that occurs. The secret is to be proactive with your home, avoid problems before they arise, save repair dollars, keep your family healthy and safe, and in the process increase the value of your home. This homeowner maintenance guide does just that, for it prioritizes the most important work by season so that you can keep your property in its best working order.

Spring Awakening

Preparing for Renewal and Growth When earth and warmth still seething winter’s hibernation, the time is now to tend to those things which will ready your home for growth season and repair winter’s cold damage.

Inspect the roof and fix roof damage

The blizzards that you see during winter months can be very deadly for your roofs. Inspect the shingles for cracks, loose material, or buckling. Inspect the roof in the attic for leaks if there are spots of water or mildew. If you see something out of the ordinary, have that fixed by a professional roofer. It will prevent you from spending the cost of costly water damage to the house and to the inside of your property as it will repair the roof at an early stage.

Clean Downspouts and Gutters

Sagging foundation, puddling water, running water, fascias, and soffits can be caused by clogged downspouts and gutters. Clear all winter leaves, debris, and nests. Open downspouts and drain near the home foundation. Install gutter guards to prevent future clogs.

Service Your HVAC Unit

Get your air conditioner professionally serviced before the advent of summer heat. This should typically include filter cleaning or replacement, refrigerant checks, and inspection for worn parts. A well-maintained AC unit will be energy-efficient, cost less in utility bills, and prevent breakdowns during the peak of hot weather.

Inspect Windows and Doors

For window and door air leaks, drafts. Weatherstrip or re-caulk if needed to make them energy-efficient. Look for rotting and damage to door and window frames and replace or repair as needed. Clean window tracks and lubricate hinges so they will move smoothly.

Spring Your Yard and Garden into Shape

Spring, by happy coincidence the best time to spring your outdoor yard into action for home, is also a wonderful time to spring for a tidy look to your yard by clearing out all of the junk and snapped-off branches that have been accumulating through winter. Feed and aerate your lawn to welcome long-overdue homecoming of a thriving lawn. Trim shrubs and trees before new growth appears. Inspect for leaks and replace or fix them if necessary on your hoses and outdoor faucets. Check your sprinkler system to function and position your sprinkler heads to cover.

Summer Sanity: Comfortable and Fun

Summer has ever been a time of recreation and outdoor pleasure. Having corrected such maintenance problems thus, you are now ready to have fun in your home as a hot and happy home to be in to enjoy the summer.

Inspect Your HVAC Unit

Replace air filters 1-3 months, as needed and depending on usage and filter type, to provide maximum airflow and air quality. Pay attention to strange noises from your AC unit, which could be an indication of a warning. Clear grass and other outside vegetation around your outdoor condenser unit in an effort to allow proper airflow.

Keep Your Patio or Deck in Pristine Condition

Check your patio or deck for cracks, loose boards, or mildew. Sweep out and clean it and seal or stain, if necessary, to water proof and make it stronger. Check stairs and railings and repair them, if necessary.

Search for Pests

Summer season is the best time as far as pest infestation is involved. Search your house perimeter and observe for signs of pest occupancy such as ant trails, spider webs, or wasp nests. Seal all pores or holes in your pipes and foundation to seal your house from pest intrusion into the house. Learn about preventive pest control.

Take Care of Your Pool

If you have a pool, there will be upkeep to filter water and maintain equipment. Skim the surface daily, vacuum every few days or so, and test and balance chemicals whenever you feel like it. Keep your pump and filter in good working order.

Inspect Exterior Paint

Summer is the ideal season to inspect your exterior paint. Examine it for peeling, cracking, or fading. Detecting it early will avert additional harm on your siding. Spackle small scratches or repaint if required.

Preparation for Fall: Get ready for the Chill

Once the leaves have fallen and the temperatures begin to descend, it’s time to prepare your home for the impending cold and perform any repairs that were made during summer.

Check Your Heater

Have a professional technician check your furnace or other heat source. This will generally involve a burner test, heat exchanger test, and control test, and carbon monoxide leak test. Make sure the thermostat is functioning properly. Replace your filter.

Get Your Lawn Ready for Winter

Rake up and get rid of any leftover leaves. Cover sensitive plants. Drain hoses and store them out in case they freeze and burst. Winterize the system if there are outdoor sprinkler systems, according to manufacturer’s directions.

Winter Watch: Weathering the Storm

It’ll be the worst it’ll ever be for your house all year round. Preventive maintenance and tune-ups will earn you dollars saved, not dollars spent, on expensive repairs and make you warm and secure.

Final Thoughts

By carrying out this home care list every year, you’ll be ahead of the game, never pay a single penny on expensive repairs, and have a cozy and warm home all year round. Never forget to modify this list to the area and to the individual nature of your home. It’ll be well worth it in the end.