Keeping Up with Your Home: Seasonal Maintenance Tips

Maintaining a home is a large job which serves two purposes. First, homeowners will be able to spot and avoid future problems with regular maintenance. Second, buyer are more likely to pay more for a well maintained home because of the peace of mind that comes with it. Here is a breakdown of maintenance ideas that can be done seasonally.

Summer
Summer is probably one of the busiest season for home maintenance. This is because the weather is best for spotting and fixing problems. Always check the exterior of you home for leaks and cracks in the window seals, roof, and siding. Other activities can include checking the output of cooling units, cleaning chimneys, and inspecting and cleaning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Spring
Spring is a good time to begin preparing the yard for summer as well as touching up any quick fixes on the exterior of the home. Inside, checking the filter on the furnace, checking locks and door knobs for proper function, and checking hinges on doors and cupboards is a good idea. While going through the home, you may want to deep clean each room both for dust as well as clutter. Having a clean and neat home always makes it easier to enjoy.

Winter
Winter maintenance is mainly focused on the interior. This is a good time to clean the refrigerator both inside and out, check water connections to the dishwasher, washer, water softener, and water heater. You can also clean the range hood, check the duct work and output of the furnace as well as clean out heat registers to help keep the filter clean all year. Outside, promptly removing ice and snow from walkways may prevent the need for ice melt which can damage concrete.

Fall
Fall is a perfect time to keep up on the outdoor grooming that can be overlooked by this time of year. Keeping walkways, gutters, and rain spouts clear of leaves and other debris will make for an easier Spring. Also, removing plants that will not return the following year helps to keep the look of a well maintained yard. Inside, the weather is perfect for checking attics and crawl spaces for adequate insulation for the coming Winter. Other indoor activities can include checking GFCI outlets, and interior window seals.

These activities are only suggestions, and can be completed at any time of the year. Homeowners who keep up on these things will be able to better enjoy their home because there is a peace of mind that comes with upkeep. Also by constantly up-keeping the home, homeowners may develop new ideas for renovating, improving current aspects or adding more value to their home.