Home improvement: A maintenance calendar for all seasons

Your home is more than likely the largest investment you will make in a lifetime. Protect that investment by performing regular maintenance throughout the year. These steps, most of which are fairly simple and cost little to no money, will prevent bigger (and expensive) problems in the future.

Winter

Since the winter weather has you spending time inside anyway, take a moment to walk around the interior of your home to look for problems. (Take a note pad and pencil with you, or a camera.) Pay special attention to the ceiling to look for water damage. Check water pipes underneath each sink and in the basement, plus around the faucets, for leaks. Go into the attic to look for water damage and make sure the vents are clear. Also, do you know where the water shut-off valves are in your home? Take a moment to locate them (look under the sinks and toilets, plus the main shut-off valves in the basement) and test to see if they work so youll be prepared for a water emergency.

Replace the filter on your heating system once a month during peak usage, or as recommended by your systems manufacturer.

Check the hoses on the washing machine for leaks and replace if necessary, and be sure to turn off the water to the machine after each use to prevent the hoses from breaking.

Clean the hood and filter above your kitchen stove. (This is good to do once a month.)

Check the ground fault circuit interrupters on electrical outlets, which are most often located near a sink or other water source. Just push the test button to make the reset button pop up. Then push the reset button to turn the outlet back on. (Also good to check once a month.)

Is there a drain pipe in your basement, or sinks that sit unused for long periods of time, such as a laundry sink? Pour some water down the drains from time to time to ensure there is water in the trap to prevent sewer gasses from backing up into the house.

Schedule the annual tune-up to your cooling system. Yes, cooling system. This will ensure it is ready to go with the temperatures warm up. Heating and cooling systems require ongoing service and maintenance to keep them operating safely and efficiently.

Spring

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Home improvement: A maintenance calendar for all seasons