Channeling Martha Stewart: Your Home Maintenance Calendar

Home Maintenance

Feb 21

Keeping your home in tip-top shape is a bit of a hassle, but if you think of it as protecting your investment, it's always worth it. Nobody likes dealing with dirty gutters, and honestly, I'd rather splurge on new shoes than shell out for HVAC maintenance. But skipping the basics can end up costing you big time – whether it's fixing stuff that breaks out of the blue or scaring off a buyer during inspection because of a scary amount of deferred maintenance.

To Do Monthly

Replace or Clean your furnace filter (you can get away with every other month without pets). Pro tip: Check the required measurements of your filter before you buy, usually written on your furnace. Order a pack on Amazon to be auto-delivered monthly or a value pack of six, auto-delivered twice a year, and set calendar reminders. This will extend the life of your furnace by years and years.
Clean out tub and sink drains (Click here for a recommended tool)
Vacuum registers and vents.
Check that indoor and outdoor vents aren’t blocked.
Clean the garbage disposal. Pro tip: grind ice and baking soda while running water.
Waterproofing. Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulking and/or weatherstripping.
Clean your dishwasher filter. You can find out where the filter is by Googling your machine’s specs.
Clean your vacuum filter. You can find out where the filter is by Googling your machine’s specs.

In the Fall

Furnace - Have your furnace cleaned and serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor. (Reach out for an HVAC contractor recommendation)
Boiler - Yearly maintenance is important for the health of your boiler. Inspecting for gas leaks is also a great idea. (Reach out for a boiler tech recommendation)
Hot Water Heater - Flush hot water to remove accumulated sediment. Technically this should be done every six months, but it’s hard to remember, so try to do it yearly and you’ll be ahead of 90% of homeowners. (Reach out for a plumber recommendation)
Seal cracks and gaps in your driveway and walkways. (Click here for a recommendation)
Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages. (Click here for recommendation)
Drain and winterize your irrigation system and disconnect all hoses.
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check the expiration date on fire extinguishers. This will save you from the annoying middle-of-the-night low-battery alerts.

Fireplace - Have your fireplace professionally cleaned, especially if it’s wood burning. (Reach out for a recommendation on a chimney sweep)
Clean debris from downspouts and gutters. (Reach out for a recommendation on a gutter cleaning company if you don’t want to do it yourself)
Clean door and window screens.
Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.

In the Winter

Check the basement for leaks during frost/thaw cycles.
AC - Cover your AC unit. (Click for a recommended cover - measure your AC before shopping)
Buy ice melt and salt. (Click for kid/pet safe recommendation)
Clean bathroom exhaust fans.
Clean your washing machine filter. Yes, no one does this, but trust us, once you’ve done it, you’ll see why it’s a must yearly. You can find out where the filter is by Googling your machine’s specs.