The Ultimate Home Checklist
Don’t let your home maintenance catch you off guard. We have the ultimate home to-do list broken down so that you know exactly how often you should be performing each home maintenance task. If you follow this checklist, you can rest easy knowing that your home is in tip-top shape.
Daily
Use a bathroom fan while showering to discourage mold and mildew from growing.
Wipe down countertops in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Sweep floors in kitchens, bathrooms, and any other hard-floored rooms.
Weekly
Clear leaves and debris from the foundation of your home and any other structures.
Vacuum your carpets and mop floors.
Scrub toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks.
Monthly
Check for water leaks in the attic that may be caused by rain, snow, or ice.
Dust blinds, curtains, and other surfaces in your home.
Clean mirrors.
Trim your trees and bushes.
Wipe down doorknobs, switch plates, and lamps.
Winter
Inspect and perform necessary maintenance on your septic tank.
Clear your drain gutters.
Change your air filter.
Clean your kitchen exhaust fan and filter.
Wax marble countertops.
Move snow shovels and blowers to a convenient place.
Test your garage door.
Test your GFCI outlets.
Tighten any handles, knobs, shelves, or anything else that could be loose.
Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows.
Deep clean and inspect your basement.
Spring
Treat your deck/patio for mold and mildew.
Make sure your hoses and outdoor faucets are still working properly.
Inspect weather stripping and replace if needed to save energy for the upcoming summer.
Fertilize your lawn.
Clear your drain gutters.
Clean your outdoor barbecue.
Test your sprinklers for any leaks or adjustments in cycles.
Change your air filter.
Inspect screens and replace any that have holes to keep insects out of the house.
Check your air conditioner to be sure it’s in full operation for the summer.
Clear out the lint from your dryer vent and hose.
Wash all windows, inside and out.
Clean outdoor furniture and wash cushions.
Service your lawnmower.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Wash and change seasonal bedding.
Clean kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Clear dead plants and shrubs to make room for new ones.
Maintain your thermostat, and set a schedule if it is a smart thermostat.
Test your garage door.
Clean your kitchen exhaust fan and filter.
Re-caulk showers, tubs, and sinks to prevent water damage to walls.
Inspect your roof for cracks, leaks, or broken shingles/tiles.
Summer
Treat your deck and patio for mold and mildew.
Clean your outdoor barbecue.
Clear your drain gutters.
Have your carpets professionally cleaned during the summer when there is less moisture in the air and they will dry faster. (Some areas with more humid summers should do this in the winter.)
Change your air filter.
Call a pest control specialist to treat your home for seasonal insects.
Clean kitchen appliances, inside and out.
Clean under and behind all kitchen appliances.
Check and clean the grout in your bathrooms and kitchen.
Power-wash or blow out your garage.
Test your garage door.
Clean your kitchen exhaust fan and filter.
Inspect and perform necessary maintenance on your septic tank.
Fall
Clean your faucets and aerators with vinegar to clear away any mineral buildup.
Check your dishwasher for leaks.
Change your air filter.
Clear your drain gutters.
Clean your kitchen exhaust fan and filter.
Check your heater to be sure it’s in full operation for winter
Inspect weather stripping and replace if needed to save energy for the upcoming winter.
Have your fireplace inspected to avoid poisoning or malfunction during the winter months.
Seal any exterior cracks in your home.
Update your fire extinguishers if their expiration date has passed or their pressure has dropped below usability.
Remove hoses from spigots and drain and store indoors, coiled, and flat.
Store outdoor furniture and cushions.
Perform any necessary maintenance on your snowblower.
Test your garage door.
Check indoor faucets, toilets, and showers for proper water flow and drainage.
Check your driveway for cracks; reseal if necessary
Clean out your chimney.
Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in preparation for the upcoming winter.
If you use a hot-water system for heating, drain the expansion tank, check the water pressure, and bleed your radiators.
Re-caulk showers, tubs, and sinks to prevent water damage to walls.
Inspect your roof for cracks, leaks, or broken shingles/tiles.
Clean and store garden tools.
