Home Maintenance Checklist

Circular 1082

Just like your personal health, your home’s health will decline without regular care and maintenance. Maintaining a healthy indoor environment helps increase your quality of life and the life of your house. With a few simple steps you can keep your home healthy. Use this checklist as a guideline for your regular spring and fall home maintenance evaluations. Please note that maintenance frequencies may vary depending on your local climate and appliance manufacturing recommendations.

Exterior
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Inspect all wood framing for signs of rats, bats, roaches, termites, squirrels, mice, and other pests. Contact a professional as needed to treat.
		Check exterior siding and trim for loose pieces and chipped or peeling paint. Repair and repaint as needed.
		Check for and replace decaying or damaged trim around the windows and doors.
		Inspect foundation and masonry for cracks. Hire a professional to repair as needed.
		Check for signs of leaks.

Yard
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Clear dead plants/shrubs from the house and trim branches of trees that overhang the roof.
		Inspect fence and deck for problems that may lead to wood rot. Clean, repair, reseal, and repaint as needed.
		Check all garden hoses for leaks and repair as needed.
		Drain all outdoor faucets and hoses. Store the hoses for winter.
		Hire a professional to clean out the main sewer line, especially if mature trees are present in your yard. (annually)

Windows & Walls
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Clean window wells (semicircular barriers usually found surrounding basement windows) around the exterior of the house and check for proper drainage.
		Check weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors. Check for signs of leaks and repair or replace as needed.
		Repair or replace cracked or broken windows
		Inspect the home interior walls and floors for termites. Contact a professional if treatment is needed.
		Check operation of windows and doors. Install screens, lubricate, and repair as needed.

Roof & Attic
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Clean gutters and downspouts (may need to be done more frequently). Make sure they discharge water 2-3 feet away from the house.
		Check flashing around the chimney, plumbing vent, skylight, and other joints to ensure it is securely fastened; repair as needed.
		Inspect the roof surface, shingles, eaves, and soffits; repair as needed.
		Check that attic insulation is in place; add more where needed. Check vents to make sure they are free of debris and working properly.
		Check for signs of leaks and repair as needed.
		Inspect attic for signs of rodents, bats, roaches, termites, and other pests. Treat as needed; you may want to hire a professional.
		Check ductwork connections to make sure that fans exhaust to outdoors.

Appliances
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Check bath and kitchen exhaust fans and clean the screens; repair as needed.
		Clean dehumidifier coils, check operation, and replace the filter.
		Clean the garbage disposal.
		Clean the refrigerator and freezer; wash door gasket, vacuum condenser coils, and empty drip pan. Check the door seal by closing it on a dollar bill. If you can easily remove the bill, then it is time to replace the gasket.
		Clean washing machine water inlet filters; check hoses - replace if leaking.
		Vacuum clothes dryer lint from ducts and surrounding areas. (You should be cleaning the filter after each use).

Plumbing & Bathrooms
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
every 3-7 years		Hire a professional to pump your septic tank to prevent backup. This may need to be done more frequently if you have a garbage disposal.
		Check toilets and tanks for leaks; repair as needed.
		Check and repair any faucet, tub, or shower leaks.
		Inspect the caulking and grout around toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks; if caulking is damaged, scrape it out and re-caulk.
		Check water-purification and water softener filters; change as needed.
		Inspect water heater for leaks, corrosion, and proper operation (you may opt to have a plumber do this); inspect flue assembly for gas water heaters.
		Check water main/meter or well pump for leaks or sweating.
		Test the water-heater pressure and temperature-relief valve for proper operation.

Electrical
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Check for frayed/damaged cords and wires. Check exposed wiring in basements and call an electrician if there are dangerous conditions.
		Clean all light fixtures, interior and exterior.
		Trip the circuit breakers and test ground fault interrupters to ensure proper protection; label switches if needed.
		Inspect indoor and outdoor outlets to ensure they are in safe, working condition. Contact a professional electrician if needed.
		Check for frayed/damaged cords and wires. Check exposed wiring in basements and call an electrician if there are dangerous conditions
		Clean all light fixtures, interior and exterior.
		Trip the circuit breakers and test ground fault interrupters to ensure proper protection; label switches if needed.
		Inspect indoor and outdoor outlets to ensure they are in safe, working condition. Contact a professional electrician if needed.

Heating & Cooling
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Replace air filters (this may need to be done more frequently depending on your HVAC system).
		Dust off ceiling fan blades. Run the fan counterclockwise during spring/ summer and clockwise during fall/winter.
		Hire a professional to tune-up the heating and cooling system.
		Cover or remove any window air-conditioning units; seal openings.
		Inspect the ductwork and vents; clean as needed.
		Check the fireplace damper and clean the chimney (you may opt to hire a professional to do this).

Basement & Crawl Space
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Check for signs of mold, moisture, water damage, and leaks. Repair as needed.
		Look for signs of rats, bats, roaches, termites, squirrels, mice, and other pests. Seal openings to keep pests out. Treat as needed; you may want to hire a professional.
		Check that the sump pump and floor drain are working properly.

Garage
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
		Check operation of the garage door safety shut-off.
		Look for signs of rats, bats, roaches, termites, squirrels, mice, and other pests. Seal openings to keep pests out. Contact a professional as needed to treat.
		Clean out your garage, properly disposing of paint thinners, household cleaners, and pesticides.
		Check for signs of water damage and leaks; repair as needed.
Spring Only		Have your lawnmower serviced.
Fall Only		Empty and clean gas cans.
Fall Only		Clean and store garden tools once all fall yardwork is completed.
		Repair cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway.

Safety
Spring	Fall	Maintenance item to check
monthly		Check that your fire extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace as needed.
		Change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
		Review your hoe evacuation plan and ensure escape ladders are available and working.
		Update your home emergency plans in case of fire, tornado, etc., and be sure that each family member knows his or her role.
		If your drinking water comes from a private well, you should have it tested. (See Bulletin 939, “Water Quality and Common Treatments for Private Drinking Water Systems”)
every 2 years		Test your home for radon. Contact your local extension agent or visit for more information.

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Status and Revision History
Published on Dec 11, 2015
Published with Minor Revisions on Jun 12, 2017
Published with Full Review on Apr 01, 2020
Published with Full Review on Jun 30, 2021
Published with Full Review on Mar 01, 2023

Faculty

Pamela R. Turner Professor and Extension Housing & Indoor Environment Specialist, Family & Consumer Sciences

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Home Maintenance Checklist

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