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Home Maintenance Checklist

Home maintenance helps to provide a safe and healthy environment in your home, and also increases the longevity of your investment. Housing experts recommend setting aside 1 to 3 percent of the market value of your home each year for home maintenance and repair costs. Maintenance or repairs should be done as the need arises. The quicker the issue is resolved, the less likely any further damage will occur. At least once every 6 months, your home and yard should be inspected, and areas of concern should be addressed. This guide is a checklist of the most common areas for inspection.

 

Foundations, basements, and yards

• Water should drain away from the house. Check gutters and downspouts to make sure they are working correctly. Make sure gutters are free of leaves and debris.

• The yard should slope away from the foundation. Fill any holes or depressions in the lawn to maintain water flow away from the house.

• Check landscaping items to be sure they are not hindering the water flow away from the house.

• Keep leaves and debris free from the air conditioner.

• Check drives and walks for cracks, erosions and vertical displacements.

• Check basement foundation walls for cracks and water infiltration.

• Check main support beams and floor joists for evidence of bowing or sagging.

• Check for evidence of insect infestation. You may want to call and insect control specialist for and inspection.

Exterior walls, windows and doors

• Check for loose or missing siding, soffit, or fascia.

• Check painted surfaces and caulking where different materials meet.

• Check doors and windows for broken glass or damaged screens.

• Check to be sure doors and windows close properly, and weather stripping is intact.

• Check moving parts of the doors and windows and lubricate if necessary. Check to be sure locking mechanisms on doors and windows is working properly.

Roof

• Check for curled, loose or missing shingles.

• Check roof flashings around walls chimneys, vent stacks, and other protrusions.

• Make sure vents and louvers are free of debris and leaves.

• Trim back any trees where the branches scrape the shingles.

• Check the mountings of any roof-mounted items (cable dish, Christmas lights, etc.).

Interior surfaces

• Check all ceilings and walls for cracks, especially the corners. Check for stains, which is a sign of leaks.

• Check for black spots, which is a sign of mold or mildew.

• Check the caulking at the wall to counter top joint, especially on an exterior wall. Check the caulking at the sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.

• Check for discoloration of stained woodwork, which could be a water leak.

• Check floor coverings for damaged or loose items.

Electrical systems

• Check ground fault circuit interrupters.

• Check smoke alarms.

• Check the switches and outlets for signs of burns.

• Check around the mountings of ceiling fixtures.

• Check the service panel for tripped breakers.

• Check all cord for damage or exposed wiring.

HVAC (Heating, Cooling and Ventilating)

• Check thermostat for proper temperature calibration.

• Have a HVAC specialist check the heating and cooling systems.

• Clean or replace furnace filters as per the manufacturers specifications.

• Keep registers and vents clean.

• Keep fireplace chimney clean, or have the direct vent fireplace checked. Clean the glass of the direct vent fireplace.

Plumbing systems

• Check water supply connections under sinks or in the basement.

• Check to make sure drains are flowing freely. Clean debris if necessary.

• Check to make sure you have a proper amount of hot water. This could mean you need a new water heater soon.

 

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