Home Maintenance Schedule

Maintaining a home can feel like trying to keep a dozen plates spinning at once. The secret isn't working harder; it's working on a rhythm. This guide transforms your list into a practical, "set-it-and-forget-it" roadmap.

🗓️ The Monthly "Health Check"

Best performed on the 1st of every month to keep it consistent.

Category Task Action Item

Air Quality                  HVAC Filters                   Replace filters and vacuum dust from registers/vents.

Plumbing                   Leak Hunt                        Look under all sinks and around toilets for moisture or mold.

Safety                         The 30-Second Test      Press "test" on smoke/CO detectors; check fire extinguisher gauges.

Kitchen                       Disposal Refresh           Grind ice cubes or lemon peels to clean the disposal blades.

🍃 Spring: The "Recovery" Phase

Focus: Repairing winter damage and prepping for heat.

• Roof & Gutters: Clear debris from winter storms and check for loose shingles.
• HVAC Tune-up: Schedule a professional AC service before the first heatwave hits.
• Draft Patrol: Check windows for damaged weatherstripping to keep the cool air in.
• Exterior: Inspect the foundation for cracks and clean your siding.

☀️ Summer: The "Exterior" Phase

Focus: Outdoor living and curb appeal.

• Deck & Patio: Power wash surfaces and inspect for wood rot or loose pavers.
• Water Systems: Check sprinkler heads and outdoor faucets for leaks.
• Dryer Vent: Clean the exhaust duct (lint buildup is a major summer fire hazard).
• Garden: Stay on top of weeding and pruning to prevent overgrowth against the house.

🍂 Fall: The "Hardening" Phase

Focus: Sealing the envelope and prepping for cold.

• Winterize Plumbing: Drain garden hoses and shut off interior valves to outdoor faucets.
• Heating Prep: Schedule your furnace maintenance and replace filters.
• Seal the Gaps: Recaulk windows and doors to prevent heat loss.
• Gutter Round 2: Clear fallen leaves to prevent ice dams in the winter.

❄️ Winter: The "Interior" Phase

Focus: Systems monitoring and safety.

• Pipe Protection: In extreme cold, run a trickle of water in unused sinks to prevent freezing.
• Humidity Check: Monitor indoor humidity to prevent wood floors from shrinking or mold from growing.
• Safety Check: Re-test all alarms (we spend more time indoors with the heat on now).

🏆 The Annual "Deep Dive"

Pick one month (e.g., January or your "house-iversary") to tackle these big-picture items.



1. Safety Overhaul: Replace all detector batteries (even if they seem fine) and service the chimney.
2. The "Hidden" Clean: Vacuum the refrigerator coils (improves efficiency) and clean the range hood filters.
3. Pro Services: Get the carpets professionally cleaned and the windows washed inside and out.
4. Structural Review: Walk the entire perimeter of your home to look for settling, electrical wear, or drainage issues.

Pro Tip: Set recurring reminders in your digital calendar for the "Monthly Health Check" so you don't have to remember it yourself!