Home Maintenance Checklist
January 14, 2026
Winter:
- Crawl under the house & look for water penetrations, vapor barrier problems, pests, plumbing leaks, insulation problems, and broken foundation vent screens. Consider an energy audit. Add insulation to the floor and water supply pipes if absent.
- Keep foundation vents open year round except for during freezing periods.
- Crawl the attic & look at roof understructure for leaks & evidence of mold and fungus. Ensure all vents are venting out. Consider adding insulation to the attic if appropriate.
- Replace furnace filter.
- Reverse ceiling fans. Switch in Summer.
- Clean window weep holes.
- Clean out gutters.
- Prune trees and plants. Fertilize with a 16-16-16 blend.
- Service lawn equipment.
- Clean out & prepare garden & flower beds adding compost.
Spring:
- Clean interior cracks, crevices, baseboards & trim.
- Clean refrigerator coils.
- Professionally clean carpets.
- Treat moss on the roof.
- Wash exterior of house & prepare for caulking & painting.
- Inspect for rot.
- Clean out and wash the interior & exterior of gutters.
- Check downspouts.
- Clean out window tracks.
- Treat moss and weeds in lawns & flower beds.
- Overseed lawn in areas where needed.
- Apply a pre-emergent to flower beds.
- Fertilize lawn with Weed & Feed fertilizer.
- Prepare underground sprinkler system for Summer.
- Inspect backflow valve.
- Service AC or heat pump unit.
- Provide privacy: plant trees or hedges.
- Plant your garden.
Summer:
- Service furnace and air conditioning unit/heat pump.
- Remove earth to siding & trim and inspect areas of potential rot. Replace if necessary.
- Caulk & paint exterior siding and trim where needed. Pick one side a year to minimize the work.
- Adjust lawn sprinklers so they do not hit your house and other structures.
- Inspect roof for damaged shingles & caulk vents and pipe jacks where needed.
- Stain/seal decks and concrete when needed (every 2-3 years).
- Fertilize lawn with slow release high nitrogen complete fertilizer.
- Cut plants away from roof, siding & trim.
- Clean underneath and behind the stove & fridge.
- Clean and organize kitchen cupboards.
- Drain your water heater.
- Reverse ceiling fans. Switch in Winter.
Fall:
- Clean out gutters
- Fertilize lawn w/winterizer & fungicide (if needed)
- Apply a pre-emergent to lawn
- Clean out dryer vent
- Clean HVAC heating ducts every 5 years
- Clean bathroom and utility fans, return heat vent
- Service furnace & replace filter
- Check smoke & CO detectors. Keep updated.
- Trim vegetation from roof & siding
- Inspect roof vents
- Remove debris from roof structure
- Treat roof w/ moss killer
- Have a sewer scope completed or pump septic tank every 5 years
- Sweep chimney & clean out fireplace
- Service gas fireplace units
- Winterize Sprinkler System
*It can be very expensive to sell a maintenance deferred property! Ensuring these items are addressed will keep your property in good condition and save thousands of dollars over time.
It is advised to hire licensed & bonded contractors to perform inspections and repairs.