Home Seasonal Maintenance & Repair Checklist

A home maintenance program, similar to a medical check-up, is essential for the upkeep of any home. Keeping an eye on your home’s appliances, electrical, exterior, air – conditioning, plumbing, and security systems will help you avoid malfunctions, save money, and ensure your home maintains the best look for the foreseeable future.

The use of this home repairs and maintenance checklist will make it easier to arrange your seasonal upgrades, renovations, and cleaning. If any of the chores are beyond your level of expertise or result in more extensive repairs, you should consider contacting a professional to assist you.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall is a great time to do general household maintenance projects in many parts of the country since the weather is often dry and the temperatures are reasonable. To begin your seasonal home care checklist, you should first inspect both inside and outside your property. 

However, if a task is above your ability, it’s always best to be cautious and seek professional aid instead of risking your safety by failing to complete it. Here are some seasonal home renovation suggestions for the upcoming fall season:

• Rake the leaves off the lawn and aerate it.
• Have your imposed-air heating system checked by a qualified technician if necessary. Prior to the heating season, request an inspection at the end of the summer or the beginning of the fall.
• Examine the fireplace for defects or potential risks, and clean its flues if necessary.
• Use caulking or weather stripping to seal any cracks or holes in windows and doors, and replace the weather stripping if necessary.
• If your windows and doors are old and drafty, consider replacing them with new windows and doors, with more energy-efficient models.
• Paint the siding and trim on the exterior of the house.
• Like leaks, check for missing, damaged, or loose shingles on the roof.
• Wash the windows and siding with high-pressure water.
• Remove any leaves or debris from your gutters and downspouts.  
• Repair cracks and fissures in the driveway and sidewalk
• Empty and winterize exterior plumbing s
• Get a qualified specialist to inspect your fireplace.
• Before the holidays, ensure all your major household appliances are in working order.
• Replace or repair the siding
• Change carbon monoxide and smoke detectors’ batteries. Ensure you have a smoke detector on every story of your house, including the basement
• Ensure that your carpets are clean.  
• Clean your door and window screens
• Remove dirt from the dryer vent with a vacuum.
• Examine the hardware on the outside of the door and tighten any noisy handles or loose locks.
• Examine the cords and wires for fraying.
• Empty and store hoses, and drain sprinkler systems.
• In unheated garages, wrap insulation around exterior faucets and pipes to keep them warm.
• Check for leaks in the water heater.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Winter can be extremely damaging to your home. Low temperatures can result in various issues, like frozen pipes and roof damage. Check these winter maintenance items off your home maintenance checklist to minimize winter damage and having to call an expert amid a blizzard:

• Protect the unit that provides air conditioning.
• During the thawing process, inspect the basement for leaks.
• Immediately following a storm, check the downspouts, gutters, and roof for damage.
• Remove the grill from the bathroom exhaust fan and vacuum it.
• Vacuum the freezer and refrigerator coils, and drain and clean the drip trays.
• Clean dishwashers, drains, sinks, and tubs regularly to avoid clogged showers in Toronto

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring home care mostly concerns tidying up following the mess and damages caused by the previous winter. Because the weather remains unpredictable, now is not the greatest time to begin long-term outdoor chores such as painting the home; you will do this later. 

Using this spring home maintenance and servicing checklist, you can make sure that everything in your home, from the basement to the roof, is in excellent working order this spring:

• Use a water hose to clear the gutters and ensure they are draining properly.
• Examine the external siding for damages and make any necessary repairs.
• When the rooftop is dry and safe for walking, inspect it for any damage to the shingles, vents, and flashing.
• Clean and change window screens regularly.
• Prune the trees that may drop branches on your property. Contact your power provider for pruning services for branches that are close to power lines.
• Put window unit cooling devices in late spring. 
• Rotate ceiling fans so that the motor runs in a counter-clockwise orientation. It will cause air to flow downward, cooling the space.

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

With its warmer temperatures and lower precipitation, summer provides ideal working conditions for performing extensive repairs that were previously impossible to complete during other seasons.

• Oil the garage-door latch and chain, including the garage door and all door hinges.
• Clear dirt from the washer hose and dryer vents inside and outside the house
• Ensure the kitchen air duct filter is clean.
• Clean the refrigerator and freezer coils and the drip trays, which should be empty and clean.
• Check for leaks in the dishwasher.
• Check for leaks around the kitchen and bathroom cupboards and near toilets.
• If necessary, replace the washers on the interior and exterior faucets and showerheads.
• Seal the tile grout.
• Prune the trees and shrubs.

Regular Quarterly Maintenance

Perform the following critical maintenance procedures once every three months:

• Check that your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide sensor are still operational by pressing the buttons on the devices. Replace your batteries regularly.
• Check the pressure gauges on your fire extinguishers to ensure they are still properly pressurized before using them.
• Check the temperature and pressure (T&P) valve on your water heater to ensure that it is working properly and expelling water. Fill the relief tube with water and place a bucket beneath it to prevent flooding.
• Examine whether or not your garage door’s security reverse feature is operational and whether or not the electric eyes are installed correctly.
• In low-traffic locations such as guest or basement restrooms, flush the toilet, remove the sediment bands from the bowls, and switch on sink faucets simultaneously.
• Check the salt level in your water softener to ensure a proper salt top-off.
• Remove and soak sink aerators and showerheads in vinegar to remove any accumulated sediment.
• Examine the dryer vent to ensure it is correctly venting to the outside.
• Check all the GFCI outlets to ensure that they all function properly before using them.