Keep the House in Tip-Top Shape with This Ultimate House Maintenance Checklist

house maintenance

We’ve all heard about spring cleaning, but what about the other seasons? And what are the tasks necessary for a proper spring cleaning, anyway?

Setting a regular house maintenance routine is sometimes an overwhelming problem for homeowners. You want what’s best for the house, but what’s the best way to do it? When is the right time to do one task but not the other?

If these are questions that plague you with every change of the seasons, keep reading. We’ll take you step-by-step through the only house maintenance list you’ll ever need in order to keep your house in great condition all year round.

Every Month

These are the tasks that need doing every single month. Most of them are quick and easy, taking only a few minutes at the most. But taking those few extra minutes once a month makes a huge difference to the longevity and safety of your home.

  1. Check your smoke detectors and any other emergency devices. Make sure they’re functioning and have a fresh set of batteries.
  2. Clean all filters. Furnace, air conditioning, dishwasher, etc. Built-up grime on filters of any kind are fire hazards, so they need regular cleaning!
  3. Ensure that all air vents are clear and allow for optimal airflow.
  4. Throw a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal, turn it on, then flush it with water and a sprinkle of baking soda. This helps clean the blades while the soda clings to any remaining grease, letting grime wash away.
  5. Clean all trashcans to keep unpleasant odors at bay.


When you hear of a big cleaning extravaganza, this is the season that comes to mind. Most of the tasks here focus on renewing the home after the harshness of winter. It’s like giving your home a fresh new start.

  1. Check the exterior of your home for any sustained damage. This includes things like the roof, windows, siding, deck, and driveways.
  2. Clean window screens and door screens, repairing or replacing as needed. 
  3. Clean the exterior of your home. A powerwasher is great for this task.
  4. Remove clumped up leaves from your gutters. Regular gutter cleaning is more important than most people realize!
  5. Sweep the chimney.
  6. Prepare the sprinkler system.
  7. Check on all fire safety equipment and ensure they’re functioning and accessible.
  8. Inspect your air conditioning or HVAC system and get it ready for summer’s heat.


With summer comes a whole lot of heat and fluctuating humidity. Summer’s house maintenance checklist focuses on keeping fire hazards under control. You’ll also keep an eye on any damage the high temperatures might cause.

  1. Check for leaks. This includes the dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioner, and all sinks and toilets.
  2. Set up a dehumidifier to keep excess moisture from damaging your home.
  3. Clean faucets and shower heads.
  4. Refinish and add sealant to any outside wood surfaces such as decking or patio areas.
  5. Vacuum away any lint or debris on your refrigerator coils or kitchen exhaust system.
  6. Flush out built-up sediments from your water heater.
  7. Oil the hinges of inside and outside doors, including the garage door.
  8. Keep an eye out for any signs of pests eating away at your home.


Fall is the perfect season to tackle any remaining maintenance tasks that you didn’t have the chance to complete earlier. Take advantage of the drier weather and milder temperatures to get everything sorted out before winter arrives. The main focus here is getting your home ready for winter’s storms and icy weather.

  1. Keep up with removing fallen leaves and branches. Waiting to do this at the end of the season results in a much bigger chore.
  2. Check and reseal any cracks in the weather stripping of your windows. Ensure that both windows and doors all create a seamless seal to keep the cold out and heat in.
  3. Install storm windows if you live in an area that experiences difficult winters.
  4. Clean the gutters.
  5. Prepare your swimming pool for winter.
  6. Inspect your heating system, bringing in a professional for repairs or upgrades if necessary.
  7. Clip away any overhanging branches or bushes. Pay particular attention to any that are close to your windows. Trimmed trees stop the potential for broken windows during strong winds.
  8. Bring in any outdoor furniture or equipment. Cover anything that must remain outside.
  9. Make sure kitchen appliances are clean and ready for upcoming holiday seasons.
  10. Uninstall your air conditioner or configure your HVAC system for heating.


During winter, most of us would rather cuddle up in a blanket than to take care of any maintenance needs. However, with these tasks, you’ll ensure that the freezing temperatures don’t do any lasting harm to your home.

  1. After every major storm, take a moment to check the gutters and roofing of your home. Remember to check for roof leaks at the same time.
  2. Check all insulation. The roof’s insulation is the most important in this task as you don’t want ice dams to form from poor insulation. Ice dams lead to leaks and water damage.
  3. Keep an eye on toilets, sinks, and other water piping for leaks.
  4. Check to ensure that water drains away from your home’s foundation. Otherwise, flooding is a possibility.
  5. Install a leak detector in problematic areas.
  6. Inspect the water heater for leaks or cracks.
  7. Clean dust and debris from heaters and other sources that heat your home during the cold season.

Regular House Maintenance Keeps Your Home Safe

Keeping up with house maintenance stops preventable dangers from amassing into a much bigger problem. It also ends up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

At first glance, this house maintenance checklist looks like a lot of chores to do. But if you divide each task into manageable chunks and tackle them throughout the month, it becomes a whole lot easier. After a while, it becomes second nature to go through each item on the checklist.

Plus, it’s a great way to get the whole family involved in the cleanliness of your home. With more hands, the work gets done faster and in an efficient manner.

Don’t forget to check out these natural alternatives that keep harsh chemicals out of your cleaning routines. 

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