Introduction to Our Home Maintenance Checklists
Buying a home is a life-changing event for most people. Like committing to a new partner, pet, career, or having children it is the beginning of an exciting adventure but it is also a serious commitment- yes we are talking about home MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS! Some homeowners tackle maintenance and repair themselves, some have a network of friends and family to help them while others pay professionals to do all the work for them. Home maintenance is a labor of love that can be enjoyable with the right mindset. In all cases, home maintenance requires regular discipline to prevent your investment from falling into disrepair and neglect which will cause more expensive depreciation and repairs over the long term.
As a courtesy to our clients and readers, we have provided this free resource. We have organized the long list of home maintenance tasks into seasonal and periodic tasks items that help make the responsibility of home ownership more manageable.
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Periodic Home Maintenance Items:
Things to do every 3-5 Years
Septic System Pumping:
The EPA recommends pumping a septic tank every 3-5 years or as needed. Septic systems are primarily underground, which makes problems less visible when they arise until they become larger problems. Regular maintenance will help to lower the risk of septic backups into the home as well as tank malfunctions.
Tree Trimming:
Larger dead/dying trees and limbs should be removed and trees and shrubs near the home should be trimmed or removed
Re-seal Gutter Seams:
Gutter seams and end caps should be resealed to prevent leaks and decay.
Stain decks and wood trim and siding:
Exterior wood products should be prepared (pressure washed/cleaned/etc..) and stained to help extend life expectancy by preventing wood-destroying insect damage and decay.
Things to do every 8-10 Years
Prep and Paint Exterior Surfaces:
The exterior of the house, garage, detached buildings, porches, fences, decks, and other painted surfaces should be re-coated every 8-10 years to extend the service life of the exterior components by preventing decay and wood-destroying insect damage
See Typical Life Expectancy of Components for Repair/Replacement schedule
