ACH’s Recommended Annual Home Maintenance Schedule

Routine home maintenance throughout the year is critical for the life of your home and the operating systems that power it.

Especially as the seasons change, there are aspects of your home that need to be maintained in a specific way, and at a critical time of the year.

Below you will find our list of these routine items.  We have separated them into each season as well as some items that should be completed each month.

New Home Maintenance Recommendations

So, here’s your home maintenance checklist for each season as well as routine, monthly items to keep an eye on.

Print out our handy list for your fall tasks this year and check them off as you go!

In the FALL (prep for winter)

Start around October/November

There are a lot of things you’ll want to do to your home in the fall to make sure you’re ready for the winter. Doing these things will save you money and frustration from costly, and potentially destructive repairs due to damage from the harsh winter weather.

• Check the gutters (clean out debris like leaves and check for any holes or problems which might make drainage a problem).
• Check the roof (look for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents).
• Check walks and driveways (repair cracks or damage now before they become an even bigger problem later).
• Check and clear all window wells and area way drains.
• Inspect your sump pump and pit for debris and other potential issues. Hire a certified plumber if necessary to assist.
• Drain outdoor faucets and irrigation systems. To do so: 1) Turn them off at the main valves inside 2) open up the faucet (hose bib) on the outside and leave all the way in the “open” position to allow any residual water to escape 3) remove all hoses 4) bleed the main valve inside using the small nipple on the valve and re tighten that small screw cap. 5) some prefer to purchase and use insulated faucet covers for the outdoor hose bib faucets such as these https://www.amazon.com/Frost-King-Outdoor-Faucet-Prevent
• Ensure pipes are well insulated to prevent burst pipes.
• Make sure you know where the water shut off valve is if you need to turn water off to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Check the furnace filter.
• Have the furnace professionally cleaned and given a once over, so when you’re ready to use it you don’t have to worry about it not coming on.
• Clean the ducts of your heating system.
• Get the chimney swept.
• Check your chimney’s flue to make sure it has a tight seal when closed.
• Get your humidifier ready. Replace the filters and check the plates and pads to ensure everything runs efficiently. Replace the filter 2x per heating season. Set the Humidistat to the highest level you can and monitor whether the windows start showing water droplets.  If so, reduce the humidity by 2-5% and wait a day before further adjustments.  The water should go away once levels are adequate.
• Got a wood stove? Now’s a great time to inspect it.
• Check to make sure your CO monitors are properly working, and your smoke alarms. Now’s a good time to replace batteries.
• Caulk any holes you see in walls and put weather stripping around the windows and doors to keep the warm air in and cold air out.
• Change out screens for storm windows and storm doors.
• Seal your natural countertops (should be done at least 2x per year)
• Repair any loose or damaged window frames or door frames.
• Do a general clean up around the house. Remove old newspapers and leftover hazardous material – get this stuff out of the house now.
• If you have and use ceiling fans, change the direction so that it turn clockwise and will pull the cooler air upwards and help keep heat in larger rooms.
• Prepare the lawn for the winter by raking, fertilizing, and cutting it.
• Prepare your garden for the winter. This includes pruning your trees and shrubs, and trimming tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines.
• Check the attic insulation and make sure it’s not covering any vents or eaves of the house.
• Check the vents in the ridges and eaves of the house to make sure they are clear of debris.
• Make sure there are no holes in any vents and covers that must be in place to prevent critters from invading your home during the cold winter months.
• Check on your flashlights. Make sure the bulbs are good and you have fresh batteries in them.

Following this simple checklist should help keep you and your precious home safe this winter. By fixing it now, you won’t be scrambling so much or having to deal with a costly furnace repair in the dead of winter.

In the Spring (prep for Summer)

Start around April/May

We’re all familiar with “spring cleaning,” but after enduring months of harsh winter conditions, your home will also need interior and exterior upkeep. 

Use this spring maintenance checklist to address any seasonal damage and prepare your home for sweltering weather and rainfall:

• Restock your first aid and emergency preparedness kits.
• Get your AC unit serviced by an HVAC professional. Spending ​​$125 to $175per year on an inspection can extend your unit’s lifespan and save you thousands in repair or replacement expenses.  We recommend setting up a maintenance contract with your preferred HVAC company.  We prefer using who installed the system because they know it best and we have fully vetted them already.
• Clean your home’s siding and windows with a pressure washer or scrubbing pad to prevent mold or mildew from building up. Only “soft wash” natural cedar siding or other natural surfaces that could be harmed by the high pressure.
• Check the exterior drainage to make sure water continues to flow away from your home. If not, there are DIY drainage kits that are easy to install—or you can hire a local drainage installation professional. We can recommend one if needed.
• Clear your gutters and downspouts of any accumulated debris to prevent water from pooling on your roof and to protect against potential damages from leaks or overflows.
• Trim and prune the trees, plants, and shrubs around your yard and AC unit, and make sure power lines near your home are unobstructed.
• Inspect your roofing for leaks and any damaged, loose, or missing shingles. Repair or replace as needed or consider hiring a certified and insured roofer.
• Check sprinkler heads for damage and remove insulation from outdoor water faucets. 
• Examine the lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, or malfunctioning sprinkler heads and test to see if the yard receives water evenly.
• Inspect any underground collection tanks such as drywells and other which could have filled up with debris such as leaves and other items since the fall which could cause these tanks to fail prematurely.
• Fix or replace damaged window screens and door screens to prevent bugs from entering your home.
• Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned at least once per year. You can contact a local chimney sweep for expert cleaning and inspection.
• Reverse your ceiling fans so they rotate counterclockwise and force cold air downward.

Monthly

Pick a time each month and create a routine to handle these monthly items.  This will help you stay on track and over time, you will have to think about it less and less as it becomes a habit.  Great items for the kid’s chores too!

First of the month or End of the month

• By organizing a regular home inspection and cleaning routine, you can be sure that you’re never overwhelmed with maintenance tasks.
• Here’s a monthly checklist to accomplish for a safer and more efficient home:
• Make sure your fire extinguishers are easily accessible, have sufficient pressure, and have an intact pin and tamper seal.
• Test your carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm
• Replace dirty HVAC filters for more efficient temperature regulation.
• Vacuum any bathroom exhaust fans, intake panels, heat registers, and vents to improve indoor air quality throughout the house.
• Clean the garbage disposal/kitchen drain with a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Add lime, lemon, or orange juice (not peels) to eliminate any odors and ice cubes to sharpen the disposal’s blades.
• Rinse/wash your hood vent over the cooking surfaces of grease with a mix of degreaser and hot water for better airflow. Or in the Dishwasher if they are safe to do so according to the manufacture’s guidelines.  Most of what we install will be safe to wash in the machine.
• Unclog shower, bathtub and sink drains using a snake or drain cleaner to remove debris and prevent build-up and water pooling.
• Dust surfaces in your home (tables, window blinds, etc.) to prevent dust build-up, remove allergens and extend the lives of your HVAC filters.
• Clean your dryer ductwith a vacuum and vent brush to remove a potential fire hazard and save about $20 per month on your utility bill.  We do our best to make the outdoor vents accessible to clean out by removing the bird screen.  But sometimes we cannot accommodate this due to design restrictions.  In which case those screens are removed.
• Check your water softener. If it’s a salt softener, add salt once every three months or as necessary for your specific system. See manufactures guidelines.

It literally only takes 10 minutes to get the information you need to find out if we’re a good fit for you. Book your call here.

Also, make sure to visit our Learning Center for more valuable tips and information to help you plan your next home project with confidence!