A key to protecting the investment you’ve made in your home is by following a regular maintenance schedule. By performing preventative maintenance on an on-going basis, you’ll avoid many of the big ticket repair items that can lower the value of your home.
Here are helpful checklists for monthly and spring maintenance.
Monthly
- Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
- Check the filters on your heating and cooling systems. Be sure to clean and change according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
- If you have a humidifier or an electronic air filter, check these as well.
- Check faucets for drips. Check plumbing for leaks.
Spring – Inside
- Check furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Clean or replace as necessary.
- Inspect fireplace, wood stove and chimneys. Have each clean and serviced as needed.
- When heating season is complete, shut down and clean furnace humidifier. Close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
- Check air conditioning system and clean or replace air filters. Have system serviced as need (recommend every 2 to 3 years).
- Check and clean dehumidifier as necessary.
- Where possible, turn off furnace and fireplace pilot lights.
Spring – Basement
- Ensure sump pump is operating properly. Check to be sure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
Spring – Outside
- Examine foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture. Repair as required.
- Check paint on outside walls and fence. Repair and paint as necessary.
- Check level of any exterior steps or decks which may have moved due to frost or settling. Re-level as necessary.
- Check and clean out gutters and downspouts. Repair loose joints and ensure secure attachment to your home. Clear any obstructions and make sure water flows away from your foundation.
- Remove any debris from drainage ditches and culverts.
- Prune and fertilize landscaping as necessary.
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