When you own a house, it isn’t just about buying it, but also about living in it along with maintenance costs. Yes, as the house gets older, year by year, the cost of maintenance increases.
From painting, to repairs, garden upkeep, broken window panes, busted pipes and pest control, the list is endless.
Sounds burdensome, doesn’t it? Well, it doesn’t have to be, if you just maintain a proper monthly, yearly and long-term checklist and get your tasks done accordingly!
Check out this article for all the details on a simple checklist you can follow as a guide, as a fellow home owner.
Monthly Maintenance Checklist
Considering getting some simple repair tasks on a monthly basis can help prevent future repair costs from increasing. Here’s what you need to keep in mind –
- Test the carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors
- Inspect the caulking and grouting
- Check, clean and repair HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system filters
- Inspect toilet bowls, basins, sinks and sink pipes etc., for leaks
- Inspect gutters, drainpipes, downspouts, walls, tiling of the roof etc.
- Trip the GFCI outlets
- Inspect the cooking range/kitchen vent hood filter
Note that with the changing of seasons, some of the monthly checklist tasks will also change. So, look into these tasks during the following seasons –
Winter –
1. Test the sump pump
2. Make sure to close any foundation vents
3. Watch out of any ice dams (which can allow water to infiltrate the roof)
4. Inspect any areas of drafts
5. Cover up your outdoor air conditioning units
Spring –
1. Check your gutters for any drainage issues and to avoid gutter spills
2. Inspect your roof
3. Do an HVAC check
4. Inspect any storm-window drains, for proper water flow
5. Inspect your driveway and sidewalks for cracks
6. Make sure your sealing around windows and doors are intact
Summer –
1. Test the irrigation system of your lawn
2. Make sure to inspect the foundation and crawlspace of your house, for no cracks or water seepage
3. Trim any weeds around the outdoor HVAC units, to increase their efficiency
4. Inspect any wooden decks
5. Inspect your siding and look for soft spots and cracks
Fall –
1. Check the exterior of your home for any damage in the foundation
2. Inspect your roof and gutters
3. Do a thorough inspection of your fireplace
4. Make sure to check your weather stripping
5. Turn off any outside hose bibs and drain the pipes, to prevent freezing
6. Do a check of your HVAC system
Yearly Maintenance Checklist
As your house gets older every year, look at the bigger picture in terms of annual maintenance tasks. Here are some yearly home maintenance tasks to take care of –
- Clean the exhaust of your clothes dryer to help increase efficiency
- Make sure to lubricate your garage door springs
- Clean the septic tank and empty if required
- Drain out your water heater for any sediments
- Check the fire extinguisher
- Exercise any fixture supply valves and also inspect all lines for faucets, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers etc.
- Clean the exhaust fan in your bathroom
- Make sure to clean your refrigerator coils, to help save energy and also increase its efficiency
- Look out for termites and get pest control to get rid of them if you find any termite invasion areas
Long-Term Maintenance Checklist
Long-term maintenance checklist will involve doing checks once in 2 to 5 years. Some of those required checks are –
Every 2 – 5 Years
1. Clean the heat ducts, for any accumulated dust and dirt, thus increasing air flow
2. Seal the grouting, in case of any water infiltration
3. Get a termite inspection done
4. Replace the caulking around the windows and doors of your house for better efficiency
Every 5 – 10 Years
1. Paint the exterior of your house
2. Replaced your kitchen sink, if it looks old and shabby
3. Install a new dishwasher in your house
4. Get your microwave changed
Every 10 – 15 Years
1. Replace the water heaters in your house
2. Get your garage door opener changed
3. Install a new cooking range and refrigerator
4. Replace the smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors