Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Pro Handyman Australia – Editorial Team

Your home is not just a space to live in; it’s a significant investment. Protecting this investment goes beyond paying your mortgage on time. Regular upkeep plays a crucial role in ensuring that your home remains a haven of safety and comfort for you and your family. For those stepping into homeownership for the first time, household maintenance might appear daunting. However, with a systematic approach and a clear checklist, you can keep everything in order.

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Maintenance: Inside and Out

It’s essential to remember that a home requires attention both inside and out. Regular cleanings and inspections are paramount to ensuring everything operates safely and efficiently. From inspecting the foundation to ensuring that the roof isn’t leaking, consistent vigilance is key. On the inside, appliances and utilities might run into wear and tear. Regular inspections and prompt repairs will ensure these essential items last throughout your home’s lifespan.

Seasonal Maintenance Matters

Every season brings its unique challenges and needs. Whether it’s raking leaves in the fall or preparing the pool for summer fun, each seasonal task ensures that your home remains functional and aesthetically pleasing. Responding to the demands of each season not only maintains the home’s value but also enhances your living experience.

Utilizing a Home Maintenance Checklist

One of the best ways to stay on top of all these tasks is by utilizing a comprehensive home maintenance checklist. Such a spreadsheet or guide ensures that you don’t overlook essential tasks. By systematically ticking off each item on your checklist, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re doing your part to maximize your home’s potential and secure your investment.

Prioritizing Pre-Move Maintenance

It’s wise to address maintenance requirements before moving into your new home. By understanding and addressing the needs of your residence early, you’ll save time, money, and potential headaches later. This proactive approach allows you to comprehend your home’s overall condition, tailoring inspection schedules based on necessity. Moreover, after settling in, think about integrating energy-efficient features to further optimize your utility bills. A thorough tour and deep cleaning will pave the way for consistent maintenance.

The Foundation of a Clean Start: Starting with a clean slate is paramount for any new home. Engage in a comprehensive deep cleaning process to ensure all surfaces are clean and disinfected, ready for your arrival. This entails scrubbing walls, baseboards, and appliances. Don’t forget to invest some time in carpet cleaning, ensuring you remove all remnants of dust and dander. The benefit? A meticulously clean home is simpler to maintain, allowing you to immerse in the joys of your new space without the added stress.

Estimated Time: Around 8 hours.

Optimizing Indoor Air Quality: A vital aspect of ensuring a healthy living environment is maintaining the quality of indoor air. Begin by replacing your home’s air filters. To maintain the best air quality, remember to change these filters every 30 to 60 days.

Estimated Time: Approximately 5 minutes.

Getting Familiar with Utility Controls: Every homeowner should be adept at controlling the primary utilities – water and electricity. Familiarize yourself with your home’s control panels or shut-off valves. The main water shut-off valves are usually positioned on your home’s external perimeter, commonly facing the street. It’s beneficial to have knowledge of this valve’s location, and having a photograph can be handy. Some homes also feature a curb valve situated near the property line. As for electricity, identify your electric panel, which can usually be found in places like the garage, laundry room, or an external wall. Ascertain if your home uses a fuse box or a circuit breaker, and learn its operation.

Estimated Time: Roughly 30 minutes or more, depending on familiarity.

Ensuring Safety First: Before you move your belongings and loved ones into your new space, guarantee that the home is secure. Begin by changing the locks for enhanced safety. If you wish, consider adding additional security measures tailored to your preferences. Also, prioritize testing existing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace these devices or their batteries if necessary, and always keep extra batteries on hand for emergencies.

Estimated Time: At least 5 minutes, depending on the number of devices.

The Essence of Monthly Home Maintenance

As homeowners, our responsibilities don’t cease after settling into our new abodes. It’s vital to uphold regular monthly maintenance routines to ensure that the house remains in optimal condition. Below are a few tasks that require attention every month, ensuring a well-maintained and functioning home.

Prioritizing Indoor Air Quality: HVAC filters play a significant role in maintaining clean air within the home. Given the heavy usage during winter and summer seasons, it’s recommended to replace these filters every 30 to 60 days. Regularly maintaining these filters not only augments your appliance’s efficiency but also prolongs its life while ensuring cleaner air circulation.

Estimated Time: Approximately 5 minutes.

Ensuring Efficient Water Systems: Water softeners and heaters are typically low-maintenance appliances. Nevertheless, it’s wise to inspect them monthly. Monitor your water softener for signs of salt bridges or mushing, replenishing salt when required. On the other hand, water heaters demand a monthly inspection of their temperature settings and pressure relief valves. Lift the valve: if water doesn’t release, it might be time to replace it. Simultaneously, keep an eye out for any cracks or potential leaks.

Estimated Time: At least 5 minutes.

Maintaining Garbage Disposal Hygiene: A clean garbage disposal not only ensures an odor-free environment but also guards against potential bacterial or mold build-ups. Before delving into maintenance, always remember to disconnect the power supply. To clean your garbage disposal:

Detach and clean the rubber splash guard.
Remove any lingering food particles.
Introduce half a cup of baking soda and leave it for about 30 minutes.
Subsequently, pour in a cup of vinegar and let it sit for another 5 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse using hot water.
Finally, grind a mixture of two cups of ice and a cup of salt until they’re finely crushed. The combination of baking soda and vinegar efficiently dissolves any slime, while the ice and salt combination aids in cleaning the blades.

Estimated Time: Roughly 45 minutes.

Safety First: Alarms Check: The reliability of safety devices is non-negotiable. It’s imperative to test your home’s alarms on a monthly basis to ensure their functionality and battery health. Should you come across any inconsistencies, be prompt in replacing either the batteries or the entire unit.

Estimated Time: Approximately 5 minutes.

Keeping Vents and Registers Clean: Regularly inspecting and cleaning your air vents and heat registers is a key step in monthly maintenance. By removing accumulated dirt, dust, and debris, you not only maintain the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems but also reduce the circulation of potential allergens. Make sure to check that no furniture or other obstructions block these vents. Using a vacuum can be beneficial for extracting dirt from harder-to-reach areas.

Estimated Time: More than 20 minutes.

Preparing Your Home for Fall: Exterior Tasks

Fall brings the beauty of changing colors but also signals the imminent arrival of winter. Preparing in advance ensures your home stands sturdy through the cold months.

Yard Maintenance and Seasonal Features: Start by focusing on your yard and its various features. This involves clearing leaves and debris to prevent potential lawn damage. For those with a gardening inclination, shredded leaves can serve as excellent mulch, providing warmth to the plants. Furthermore, regularly mowing your lawn can minimize the accumulation of leaves, reducing the overall raking effort.

Estimated Time: Approximately 1 hour or more.

Roof and Gutter Maintenance: The roof and gutters are prone to collecting fallen leaves, leading to blockages. Cleaning them not only ensures proper water flow but also steers it away from the foundation. While you’re at it, look out for any potential damages that need attention before winter sets in.

Estimated Time: Between 1 to 3 hours.

Managing Water Systems: Prior to the season’s first freeze, it’s essential to shut off exterior water valves and sprinklers. Draining the residual water further prevents the possibility of pipe bursts. Once done, insulate the pipes for added protection against freezing.

Estimated Time: Around 1 to 2 hours.

Pool Care: As the warm summer months fade, prepare your pool for a winter hiatus. This involves thorough cleaning, water testing, and the application of winterizing chemicals. Post-cleaning, the pump and hoses should be drained and removed, followed by covering the pool.

Estimated Time: Roughly 2 hours.

Heating Systems Inspection: Before winter sets in, ensure your home’s warmth is uninterrupted. Get a professional to examine your HVAC system, furnace, or boiler. Clean the outer parts of these units and clear any vent blockages.

Estimated Time: 1-2 hours.

Window and Door Inspection: Take a tour around your home to check all windows and doors. Any signs of air leaks or damages should be addressed immediately. Insulating gaps with weatherstripping can significantly reduce heat loss.

Estimated Time: About 1 hour.

Dryer Vent Cleaning: A professional should annually inspect and clean laundry dryer vents. Remember, a clogged vent not only poses a fire risk but also diminishes the efficiency of your machine.

Estimated Time: Approximately 1 hour.

Fireplace Inspection: Especially for homes with wood-burning fireplaces, the accumulation of tar and creosote in the chimney is a serious fire hazard. It’s advisable to have chimneys and fireplaces professionally cleaned annually.

Estimated Time: Close to 1 hour.

Bracing for Winter: Exterior Measures

While most of the heavy-lifting is done in the fall, winter demands its own set of tasks to prevent any seasonal damages.

Snow and Ice Preparations: Equip yourself with all the necessary snow-related tools before winter hits in full swing. This list might include a snow shovel, an ice scraper, salt, and a snow blower.

Estimated Time: More than 10 minutes.

Air Conditioner Care: Shield your air conditioning unit from the harsh winter elements. If you have window units, you can either remove them or ensure they’re properly covered without any drafts.

Estimated Time: Approximately 10 minutes.

Guarding Against Ice Dams and Icicles: Periodically check your roof for icicles or ice dams, both of which could inflict damage. If your roof has a history of collecting these, investing in a roof rake might be a good idea. This will help in clearing accumulated snow, preventing it from melting and refreezing into damaging ice.

Estimated Time: More than 10 minutes.

Pipe Insulation: Freezing temperatures can be hazardous for pipes. To prevent them from freezing, consider adding extra insulation. This can be done by wrapping Styrofoam around easily accessible pipes, especially those located in areas with minimal insulation, such as basements and attics. Maintaining an indoor temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above, keeping cabinet doors open, and allowing faucets to drip can also help safeguard your pipes.

Estimated Time: More than 10 minutes.

Hardware Inspection and Tightening: Routine inspection of the hardware on doors and cabinets can make a significant difference. Ensure that screws are tightened, and doorknobs, hinges, and other fixtures are securely in place. Should you come across any damaged or faulty hardware, it’s best to replace it.

Estimated Time: Over 10 minutes.

Drain Cleaning: Over time, drains can get clogged due to the accumulation of grime, hair, and dirt. To address this, consider using a plunger, drain auger, or a barbed Zip-It. Afterward, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be used to both clean and deodorize the drain.

Estimated Time: Between 15 to 30 minutes.

Ceiling Fan Adjustment: Ceiling fans play a role in regulating room temperature. While they should rotate counterclockwise during summer, reversing them to move clockwise can help distribute warm air in winter. The direction switch can be found on the fan’s motor body.

Estimated Time: About 5 minutes.

Spring Exterior Maintenance Recommendations

Spring not only symbolizes renewal but is also an opportunity to address any damages sustained during winter.

Roof Inspection: Examine your roof to identify any loose shingles, malfunctioning gutters, or leaks, making repairs where needed.

Estimated Time: Approximately 30 minutes.

Yard Cleanup and Flower Bed Mulching: Spring is an ideal time to clear your yard of any remnants from the past seasons. Following cleanup, add mulch to flower beds and hedges to ensure their health.

Estimated Time: More than 30 minutes.

Lawn and Garden Preparation: Once frost warnings are past, initiate the seeding process for your lawn and plant seasonal flowers. For those who maintain gardens, plan the layout and start prepping the soil.

Estimated Time: Over an hour.

Lawnmower Maintenance: An annual tune-up for your lawnmower ensures its motor runs efficiently. This includes changing the air filter, spark plug, and oil. Additionally, the mower blades should be sharpened periodically.

Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Driveway and Sidewalk Repairs: Monitor your concrete driveway and sidewalk for cracks. Minor ones can be filled, but significant damages may require patching. Driveways should also be resealed every three years.

Estimated Time: Over an hour.

Gutter Cleaning: A semi-annual cleaning routine for gutters during spring and fall is crucial. Remove any debris and evaluate the condition of the gutters and downspouts.

Estimated Time: 1 to 3 hours.

Exterior Deep Cleaning: Enhance the exterior’s appearance by cleaning the siding, windows, and decks. For a thorough job, consider using a pressure washer or a combination of a firm brush, soap, and water. Additionally, rinse window screens and clean the outer glass and frames.

Estimated Time: Over an hour.

Deck and Patio Maintenance: To prolong their lifespan and maintain their appeal, decks and patios should be refinished every couple of years. An annual check for potential damages is also recommended.

Estimated Time: Multiple days.

Activation of Exterior Water Systems: With the onset of warmer weather, activate your external water features. Adjust sprinkler timers based on the needs of your landscape.

Estimated Time: About 15 minutes.

HVAC Maintenance: As part of a biannual routine, servicing your HVAC system in the spring ensures that it’s primed for the upcoming summer months, keeping your home comfortable during the hotter days.

Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Caulking Inspection and Repair: Examine the caulking around your windows for any signs of damage or wear, ensuring they are well-sealed against potential drafts. Don’t overlook areas like the bathroom; deteriorated caulking can allow moisture to seep in, leading to potential issues.

Estimated Time: More than an hour.

Embarking on Spring Cleaning: Spring is the quintessential time for deep cleaning. Begin by creating a comprehensive checklist to ensure no area is overlooked. Focus on those spots that often get missed during regular cleaning, like behind appliances, ceiling fans, and other fixtures. Additionally, give your carpets, flooring, baseboards, and moulding a thorough cleaning to freshen up the ambiance of your home.

Estimated Time: Over 2 hours.

Optimizing the Exterior of Your Home

Routine Inspection Embark on a comprehensive inspection of your home’s exterior. As you stroll around, pay keen attention to the state of the concrete, driveway, and roof. Identify any visible cracks, loose or broken shingles, or indications of wear on the chimney. Additionally, it’s essential to assess the facade and foundation to detect any signs of cracks or water accumulation.

Gutter Maintenance Gutters are the lifeline of your home’s water management system. They shield your roof, siding, and foundation from potential water damage. To ensure they function optimally, it’s advised to clean them at least biannually or even more often if your property has many trees. While you’re at it, inspect them for any visible damage. If you opt for a DIY approach, exercise caution, especially when using ladders. For a more hassle-free experience, consider hiring professionals, though the cost might range based on the size of your home.

Preserving Exterior Aesthetics Your home’s exterior paint not only elevates its appearance but also safeguards your shingles from potential damage. Regularly check for any signs of peeling or chipping. Depending on the damage extent, it might require a touch-up or a complete repaint. If you’re considering getting it professionally done, it’s wise to schedule it during spring to ensure its completion by summer’s end.

Springtime Home Wash Spring is an ideal season to freshen up your home’s exterior. Begin by cleaning the windows, both inside and out. It’s not uncommon for the facade to accumulate grime, which can degrade paint and masonry over time. On a sunny day:

Prepare by sealing all windows and doors. Lay plastic sheeting over your grounds and hedges.
Instead of immediately resorting to a power washer, try using an ordinary garden hose as it can often suffice and poses less risk to siding or masonry.
Attach a siding cleaning kit to your hose.
For stubborn dirt spots, apply a gentle detergent solution, but use it sparingly to prevent harming your plants.

Deck and Patio Maintenance After a long winter hiatus, your deck might need some TLC. Begin by sweeping away any accumulated dirt. While cleaning, also inspect the deck for any signs of wear like cracked wood or loose nails. To ensure your deck remains in top condition:

Wet it using a garden hose.
Spray a mixture of water and cleaning solution, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub vigorously.
Rinse thoroughly.
For wooden decks, apply borate to combat algae and prevent rot.
Allow a few days for drying before staining and sealing.

Pool Care For homeowners with a pool, now’s the time to prepare it for the upcoming summer months. This involves treating the water, inspecting equipment, and changing valves or filters as needed. If you prefer, consider hiring a pool maintenance service.

Maintaining the Interior of Your Home

HVAC and Steam Maintenance For homes equipped with central heating and cooling, schedule biannual servicing and check-ups for your HVAC system. Ensure the technician inspects the ductwork, services the furnace, cleans the A/C compressor, and also the bathroom vents. On the other hand, those with steam heating should regularly drain their boilers to eliminate sediment.

Plumbing Check Regularly inspect your plumbing. Look out for signs of leaks beneath sinks and water stains on ceilings which might indicate hidden leaks. Address minor issues promptly and enlist a plumber’s services for more complex challenges.

Sump Pump and Chimney Maintenance Spring rain is often unpredictable. Hence, ensure your sump pump drains appropriately. Chimneys, though occasionally used, need regular inspections to guarantee they safely channel hazardous gases away from the home. It’s wise to have it inspected annually and cleaned based on usage frequency.

Safety Device Review Ensure the safety of your home by regularly checking smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace their batteries annually to guarantee they’re always functional. Consider syncing this with specific dates like the daylight saving switch or Mother’s Day. Modern “smart” detectors can offer more advanced features, including voice alerts, and might be worth exploring.

Maximizing Summer Comfort: Exterior Maintenance Guide

Sprinkler System Maintenance: Regularly inspect your sprinkler system to ensure its optimal performance. Clear away any debris and, if necessary, replace malfunctioning valves to keep your lawn looking fresh.

Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Shielding Your Home from Pests: A quick walk around your home can prevent uninvited guests. Check the perimeter, especially around windows and doors, for any potential entry points for insects. Using repellents or treatments will keep these pesky invaders at bay.