With a new year well underway, it’s time to renew and revitalize your home maintenance checklist. Metering out the many tasks and working seasonally can prevent a backlog of to-do’s as the year comes to a close, and potentially prevent many home maintenance-related disasters. Review this comprehensive list of tasks for the whole year and start planning ahead. Then, set reminders, keep careful records and give your home the TLC it deserves in 2021.
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
As the days get longer and the seasons start to change, plan to add some home maintenance projects to your usual spring cleaning schedule. Focus on prepping your space for the seasonal showers and coming warmer weather as well as repairing any damage that may have occurred over the past few months. The spring season checklist (HGTV) includes:
- Replace any damaged roof shingles
- Repair or replace damaged exposed wood
- Check the gutters and downspouts
- Fill any low areas with compacted soil
- Fill cracked concrete
- Seal any deteriorating brickwork
- Check sprinklers, faucets and hoses
- Recaulk or replace weather stripping
- Patch holes in window screens
- Clean and service the AC unit
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
When summer arrives, the hope is that much of your exterior maintenance and spring cleaning will be wrapped up. Take some time to relax and enjoy the season in your space, but don’t forget a few necessary maintenance tasks. The summer checklist (New York Times) includes:
- Tend to the garden
- Optimize the sprinkler system
- Clean and service the pool
- Complete any large exterior projects
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans
- Complete any pest control initiatives
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
As the days grow colder and winter weather becomes top of mind, it’s time to complete another home maintenance overhaul. At this point, turn your attention to weather-proofing and preparation for the cooler months ahead. The fall season checklist (Better Homes and Gardens, 2019) includes:
- Clear gutters and downspouts
- Seal gaps with caulk or weatherstripping
- Replace any damaged roof shingles
- Weather-proof your irrigation system
- Clean or replace your furnace filters
- Schedule a furnace tune-up
- Inspect your fireplace, repair any damage
- Service your central humidifier
- Service your heater
- Repair damaged walkways, driveways and steps
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Once winter rolls around again, most of your 2021 home maintenance should be done. Finish the year strong with a few final projects focused on upkeep and inspection, and ease your way into yet another new year. The winter season checklist (Forbes, 2020) includes:
- Inspect your roof and gutter system for damage
- Inspect your roof shingles
- Inspect your deck
- Inspect your basement
- Remove any problematic tree limbs
- Complete any interior remodeling jobs
While juggling all these tasks may seem like a lot of work, frequent and thorough home maintenance is the key to keeping your home in tip-top shape, loving where you live and saving yourself from some serious homeowner nightmares. Take this year to plan ahead, work season-by-season and truly tend to the property with this home maintenance checklist. Then, once you get into the swing of things, you’ll be able to seamlessly maintain your home, year after year.
Published on January 25, 2021
