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Home maintenance, month by month
What a home inspector would tell a new owner to keep up with, when to do it, and roughly what it costs. Plus the checks inspectors make that most owners miss.
Seasonal upkeep by month
Months are for a typical U.S. home. Some jobs move earlier or later with your climate, and some only apply if your house has the system.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
- Clean the dishwasher filter
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Service the furnace or boiler
- Have the chimney swept and inspected
- Check the propane tank and lines
- Wash the mini-split filters
- Have the gas fireplace serviced
- Clean the pellet stove and its vent
- Close the pool for winter
- Drain, clean and refill the hot tub
October
- Replace the furnace or AC filter
- Test GFCI outlets
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Flush the water heater
- Check the attic for leaks, pests and air leaks
- Seal exterior caulk and weatherstripping
- Descale the tankless water heater
- Bleed radiators and check the boiler
- Check the steam boiler's water level and low-water cutoff
- Winterize the sprinkler system
November
December
What a home inspector checks
Outside and roof
Water is a house's biggest enemy, and most of it gets in from outside.
- Does the ground slope away from the house on every side?
- Do the downspouts drop water at least 4 feet from the house?
- Are the gutters clear, attached, and free of overflow stains?
- Does the roof look sound from the ground?
- Are windows, doors and siding gaps sealed?
- Is the trim, sills and deck free of soft or rotting wood?
- Is the paint on wood siding and trim intact, with no bare wood showing?
- Are shrubs, vines and plants at least a foot off the siding?
- Are double-pane windows clear between the panes?
Attic
Most people never look up here, which is why problems get big.
- Is the attic free of water stains and daylight?
- Are gaps around pipes, wires and the hatch sealed?
- Is the insulation deep and even?
- Is the attic free of droppings, nests and chewed wiring?
- On a cold day, is the attic close to the outdoor temperature?
- Is the attic hatch or pull-down ladder insulated and weatherstripped?
Basement and crawlspace
Where water, the foundation and your main systems all meet.
- Is the basement dry, with no water lines, damp spots or musty smell?
- Are foundation cracks thin and not growing?
- If there is a sump pump, does it start when you add water?
- Can you find and turn the main water shutoff?
- With every tap and appliance off, does the water meter stay still?
- Is any white crust on the foundation walls light and not spreading?
- If the house is older, are the cast iron drain pipes free of rust, cracks and stains?
Heating, cooling and water heater
The expensive machines. A little attention adds years to their life.
Kitchen, baths and laundry
Small leaks and lint here cause big damage and fires.
- Is a freestanding range held by its anti-tip bracket?
- Is the dryer vent a short, rigid metal duct with a clean outside flap?
- Is it dry under every sink?
- Is the caulk and grout around tubs and showers intact?
- Does each bathroom fan pull air and vent outside?
- Are the washing machine hoses braided steel and in good shape?
Safety and electrical
The checks that protect people, not just the house.
- Is there a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level?
- If you have gas, oil or an attached garage, is there a CO alarm on each level?
- Do outlets near water trip and reset when you press TEST?
- Is the electrical panel clear, dry and labeled, with no warm or buzzing breakers?
- Has the home been tested for radon in the last 2 years?
- Does the garage door reverse when it touches something?
- If the garage is attached, is the door into the house solid and self-closing?
- Is there a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, with its gauge in the green?
- Can your house number be read from the street, day and night?
- If small children live or visit here, do upstairs windows have stops or guards?
- Are stair railings solid and are steps even?
Get this on your own house's plan
DwellTended builds a seasonal plan for your actual house, shows what needs you this week with rough costs, and reminds you before things are due. Free to start, no inspection report needed.