The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season

Easily navigate your home's seasonal upkeep with our home maintenance checklist and expert advice.

Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG.

With more than two decades of experience, Tom Scalisi is a highly regarded home improvement and construction expert. After running his own contracting business for years, Tom is now a regular contributor to industry publications, including Bob Vila, This Old House, and Family Handyman, and enjoys sharing his experience with readers to help improve or repair their homes.

Like a regular health check-up, a home maintenance checklist and schedule are important for every house's upkeep. Continuing to check on your exterior, appliances, heating and cooling, plumbing, security, and electrical systems will help prevent breakdowns, save money, and keep your home looking its best.

Use this home maintenance checklist to help schedule seasonal updates, repairs, cleaning, and a handful of monthly tasks. Revisit the list monthly and at the beginning of each season to keep your home in prime working condition. If any recommended home repairs and maintenance go beyond your skill level or lead to more complicated projects, consider hiring a professional to help.

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

Inspecting your home and completing monthly home improvement projects will keep your maintenance schedule on track and easier to manage. Follow this comprehensive home maintenance checklist each month to help save time and money:

Air Quality and Vents

• Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups, make it easier to regulate your home's temperature, and ultimately decrease energy bills.
• Vacuum heat registers and heat vents.
• Check that indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.

Plumbing and Water

• Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary.
• Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda.
• Inspect tub and sink drains for debris; unclog if necessary.
• Flush out hot water from the water heater to remove accumulated sediment.

Home Safety

• Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and all ground-fault circuit interrupters. Check the gauge and expiration date on fire extinguishers.
• Inspect electrical cords for wear.
  

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

In many regions, fall is the perfect season to tackle general home maintenance projects because the weather is usually dry and temperatures are moderate. Before you start your seasonal home maintenance checklist, examine your home's interior and exterior. Most of these tasks can be accomplished without the help of a professional, but it's always better to be safe and call for assistance if a project is beyond your abilities.

Here are our seasonal home maintenance checklist recommendations for fall:

Landscaping and Yard Prep

• Rake leaves and aerate the lawn.
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Practice pest prevention by keeping firewood away from the house, trimming shrubs, and repairing rotten or broken woodwork. Remove any wasp nests hanging from eaves or overhangs.
• Drain and winterize exterior plumbing, including hoses and in-ground sprinkler systems.

Home Exterior Repairs and Updates

• Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway.
• Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint.
• Power-wash windows and siding.
• Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
• Repair or replace siding.
• Clean window and door screens.
• Replace old, drafty windows for more energy-efficient models.
• Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping; replace if necessary.
• Inspect exterior door hardware; fix squeaky handles and loose locks.
• Wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.

Interior Cleaning and Inspection

• Have the forced-air heating system inspected by a professional. Schedule an inspection in late summer or early fall before the heating season begins.
• Check the fireplace for damage or hazards and clean fireplace flues. Have your fireplace professionally inspected.
• Tune up major home appliances before the holidays.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement.
• Clean carpets.
• Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
  
• Check the water heater for leaks.
  

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Winter weather can be harsh on your home. The below-freezing temperatures can cause a number of problems, including frozen pipes and roof damage.

To prevent winter harm and avoid calling a professional in the middle of a blizzard, be sure to check these winter items off your home maintenance checklist:

Exterior Repairs and Updates

• Cover your air-conditioning unit.
• Inspect the roof, gutters, and downspouts for damage after storms.
• Stock up on sidewalk salt and ice melt.
  

Interior Cleaning and Inspection

• Check the basement for leaks during thaws.
• Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
• Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
• Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.
  
• Set up mouse traps as needed.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Once the ground has thawed and the trees begin to bud, it's time to prepare your home for spring. On top of your regular spring cleaning, you'll also want to consider these general upkeep tips. Use our spring home maintenance checklist to make sure everything in your home, from the basement to the roof, is in tip-top shape:

Landscaping and Yard Prep

• Refinish the deck.
• Fertilize your lawn.
• Prune trees and shrubs.

Exterior Repairs and Updates

• Clean window and door screens.
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank.
• Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
• Inspect the chimney for damage.
• Wash windows.
• Power-wash siding.
• Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanicals.
• Remove the insulation from outdoor faucets and check sprinkler heads.

Interior Cleaning and Inspection

• Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to remove mineral deposits. Repeat in the fall.
• Change the air-conditioner filter.
• Polish wood furniture and dust light fixtures.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking for deterioration.
• Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
• Have the air-conditioning system serviced.
• Drain or flush the water heater.

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

When the sun is out, and warm weather is finally here to stay, home maintenance is the last thing you should worry about. Use our quick summer home maintenance guide to get the hard work out of the way at the beginning of the season.

Don't worry if the weather is already heating up; these tasks are indoors:

Interior Cleaning and Inspection

• Remove lint from your dryer vent.
• Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter.
• Clean refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
• Check the dishwasher for leaks.
• Check around kitchen and bathroom cabinets and around toilets for leaks.
• Replace faucet and showerhead washers if needed.
• Seal tile grout.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most important home maintenance tasks to keep your home safe and running smoothly are cleaning out gutters each spring and fall, cleaning and inspecting the HVAC twice a year and changing filters monthly, cleaning out clogs in plumbing, and checking for leaks and damaged pipes. Also, if you see bugs or critters where they shouldn't be, quickly call an exterminator.

Ideally, you should deep-clean your home at least twice a year—once in the spring and once in fall. Start with the places and items that get the dirtiest and continue on from there.

Some tasks need a professional to be done correctly. For example, HVAC maintenance requires a professional; sometimes, a plumber is necessary to properly clean the plumbing system. Hiring a pro to clean out gutters may be worthwhile, depending on your situation. They can also check your roof for any problems.

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