Yearly Home Maintenance Checklist

Whether it's your first home or your third, owning a home is a big responsibility. Though most are familiar with basic home maintenance, such as cleaning, there are actually areas of your home that should be checked every year to ensure that they are in proper functioning condition. This guide will help you determine what areas of your home need to be checked on a yearly basis (at minimum,) so that way you make sure every nook and cranny of your home is in tip-top shape.

Exterior Checklist

Roofing

Inspect your roof, either from the ground or grab a ladder (and carefully) do an up-close and personal inspection. Any missing or damaged shingles should be replaced. If the entire roof is in poor condition, it may be necessary to replace the entire roof.

Gutters

Most people are aware that their gutters and spouts should be cleaned yearly, but they may not always follow through. Reattach or replace any gutters that have come loose or become damaged during the year.

Also, consider using a hose to detect leaks within the gutter system. Any leaks that are found can be sealed using outdoor caulking or an epoxy. (Tip: be sure the area is dry before applying any product to seal the leak.)

Siding

Each year, the siding of your home should be cleaned thoroughly, either using a pressure washer or a with a good old fashioned scrubbing. This helps to prevent mold from occurring. Should your siding be showing signs of wear and tear (such as peeling of the paint, broken or cracked siding,) then fix accordingly.

Caulking

Though there is caulking on the inside of the home, there is also caulking on the outside of the home. Check caulking around window and door exteriors, as well as any other areas that may have caulking. If the caulking is deteriorating, then remove the old caulking before repairing the area using new caulking. Just be sure to use the correct caulking for your home.

Screens

Screens on the outsides of windows and doors should be cleaned and checked for holes. Holes must be patched or entire screens should be replaced to prevent bugs from entering the home. Also be sure to check that each screen is still securely in place before moving on to your next project.

Foundation

Always check both the inside and the outside of your home when it comes to inspecting the foundation. Any signs of deterioration, such as cracking, should be attended to immediately by a professional. Keep in mind that foundation problems can turn into a huge issue for the home, and simply covering the crack will not fix any problems that are looming.

Air Conditioner

Clean your air conditioner yearly, or as otherwise instructed by the manual. Also be sure to perform any maintenance as stated in the manual, such as checking or replacing a worn belt.

Interior Checklist

Windows

Once inside, it's important to check the condition of each window. Replace any old or worn caulking using the same steps as above. To check for cracks, use a feather around the edges of the window and repair accordingly using caulking or some other method of sealing.

Ventilation System

Be sure to clean out your air ducts and vents, at the very least, by using a vacuum cleaner. For a more thorough cleaning, hire a professional. Also be sure to change any furnace filters if necessary.

Water Systems

Whether you have a tankless water heater or a full scale water heater, be sure to perform any maintenance as required by the manual. If necessary, replace broken or old systems with more energy efficient systems.