The Ultimate Household Maintenance Checklist

Some safety hazards, like faulty wiring or smoke detectors or fire extinguishers that don’t work, can quickly lead to you having to put your home emergency plan into action for real. Others may not be a danger to the whole family but can still cause individuals to get hurt: loose handrails or floor tiles, for instance. Once a month, go through your entire house and identify possible safety hazards. Also test your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Then address the problems sooner rather than later.

Blocked air vents can really mess with the air quality in your home. Check them every month and remove any debris, snow or critter’s nests that might be preventing air from circulating through these vents.

Furnace filters become clogged with things like dust and pet dander faster than you think and this affects the air quality inside the house. For better air quality and a lower risk of respiratory problems and allergies, replace those filters every month. If you have an electric wall furnace, you can soak the filter in soapy water while cleaning the grills.

Related: 20 Plants That Will Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

No matter what your range hood design, its filter can become clogged with grease and dirt. To keep it working properly, you need to clean the filter every month. Soak it in warm, soapy water with baking soda added to it. Once the grease has softened, use a non-abrasive brush to scrub it off. Then rinse the filter and dry it.

The water inlet filters in your washing machine keep debris and mineral deposits from getting into the machine and damaging it. Every three months, turn off the water supply and then remove the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then clean the filters in warm, soapy water. Check them for signs of damage or wear and if necessary, replace them with new ones.

Lint around your dryer’s lint ducts can be a fire hazard. To get rid of the lint, first turn off the gas valve or unplug the dryer. Then remove the lint filter and vacuum it, as well as the areas around it. Next, disconnect the dryer duct and vacuum the duct work too until it’s lint free.

Every three months, check the caulking around the sinks, showers and tubs for leaks. You need to deal with leaks without delay because they can lead to damp and mould. If there are any gaps in the caulking, fix it. While you’re at it, you can also clean the grout to keep thing looking sparkly.

There are two times that are ideal for cleaning your fireplace and chimney: spring, after a winter of regularly using the fireplace and fall, as you’re getting ready for winter. It’s easy enough to clean your fireplace yourself, but it’s best to call in the professionals to clean the chimney.

Check your roof every spring for possible damage caused by winter weather and every fall to make sure it’s in perfect condition for winter. Replace and fix tiles where necessary. Also check the flashing, eaves and soffits and repair what’s needed. While you’re up there, you can also clean out the gutters and downspouts.

Proper caulking and weatherstripping helps to keep your home insulated, so that it’s cool in summer and warm in winter without driving up your power bill. Every spring and fall, check the caulking and weatherstripping on the outside of your house and repair where necessary.

Related: 20 Clever Ways to Save Money on Your Hydro Bill

In spring, you can remove your storm windows and replace them with screens. Clean the windows and check the window and door screens for any signs of damage. Repair or replace screens if necessary and clean the screens in warm, soapy water before installing them. This is also a good time to repaint your windowsills, doorsills and thresholds.

Before the spring thaw sets in, check your sump pump and make sure that it’s working properly. Also check that the discharge pipe is connected and will allow water to drain away from the foundation.

Related: The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

You want your air conditioning or ventilation system to work properly on those hot summer days. So, as the season starts, check the filters on these systems. Clean them or if they show signs of damage or wear, replace them.

To be prepared for those summer storms, check that your basement will remain dry. Fix and insulate pipes if there are signs of condensation or dripping, check the floor drain and use a dehumidifier to keep relative humidity levels below 60 per cent.

Related: 30 Basement Renovations That’ll Blow You Away

Frost and ice can cause the driveway, walkways, decks and steps to become warped. In summer, when there is no risk of frost anymore, check these surfaces and fix if necessary. Also fix loose stones, tiles or handrails.

When summer has come to an end, it’s time to start preparing for the harsh winter weather. Replace the window screens with storm windows. Also remove interior screens. This will allow more sun into your home, making it more energy efficient and will prevent condensation by improving the air flow around the windows.

Related: 9 Small Upgrades That Will Make Your Home Way More Energy Efficient

In fall, check your heating systems to make sure they work properly: you don’t want to have to repair them when it’s freezing outside. Test the furnace by raising the thermostat setting, clean the ventilator and furnace filters, check the hot water radiators, circulating pumps and bathroom exhaust fans. Repair whatever needs repairing.

Get your garden ready for winter by protecting plants or bringing them indoors, storing your outside furniture, draining hose bibbs and draining and storing outdoor hoses. Check that the ground around your home slopes away from the walls too so that water won’t leak into your basement.

Related: How to Winterproof Your Cottage, Trailer or Mobile Home

When it’s cold outside, you’d probably prefer doing little maintenance jobs inside instead. One of these that is perfect for doing every winter is to check all your faucets. If they’re dripping, replace the washers.

Ice and snow accumulation can cause serious damage and can be hazardous too. When temperatures are freezing, check for ice and snow buildup around outdoor vents, chimneys, gas meters, windows, doors and the attic. If there is snow and ice where there shouldn’t be, identify the problem and fix it.