Seasonal Home Owner Maintenance Tips
Congratulations you are now a homeowner! To keep your home in good shape and running efficiently check out the seasonal maintenance tips below.
Spring
- Clean and repair leaks in gutters.
- Make sure gutters are attached securely.
- Clean out your bathroom vent fan.
- Check your roof, vents, chimney and skylights for leaks.
- Remove, clean and store removable storm windows.
- Look for cracks and holes on siding and caulk as necessary.
- Check basement walls and floors for dampness and dehumidify regularly.
- Apply a lubricant to door and exterior gate hinges to stop squeaking.
- Lubricate window tracks.
- Make sure smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are working properly (at least twice per year).
- Pull out lawn equipment and patio furniture.
- When your grass is thawed and dried out make sure you aerate, topdress and overseed.
Summer
- Clean refrigerator coils to keep it working efficiently (at least twice a year).
- Clean range hood and filter.
- Clean shower heads.
- Change water and ice-maker filters.
- Get air conditioner serviced and prune shrubs and hedges around it.
- Patch cracks and holes in driveway.
- Inspect and drain water heater.
- Clean and repair barbeque.
- Adjust and service water irrigation.
Fall
- Apply weather stripping.
- Check for leaks in the following areas: around the door and window frames, around heating and cooling units, around drain pipes in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as around outdoor faucets.
- Inspect your roof before winter.
- Overseed your lawn (September) and fertilize (October).
- Get heating system serviced and change the filters.
- Drain out hot water heater and clean around the bottom of the tank.
- Wipe down patio and outdoor furniture and store it out of the elements.
- Clean and store garden tools out of the elements.
- Remove remaining oil from outdoor equipment so that it does not get sludgy over the winter. Drain it into a leak-proof container and dispose of it at a local hazardous waste facility.
- Spray, wipe and clean grass clippings out of outdoor equipment.
- Don't store unused gasoline or tanks in the garage and shed over the winter.
- Install storm windows and screens.
- Clean ashes out of the fireplace.
- Remove window air conditioners or put covers on.
- Clean gutters and drainpipes of leaves.
Winter
- Make sure smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are working properly (at least twice a year).
- Clean refrigerator coils to keep it working efficiently (at least twice a year).
- Clear ice jams out of gutters.
- Shovel snow away from the foundation of your home.
- Remove snow and ice from any external vents.