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.