Seasonal Home Maintenance Guide

Exterior Spring Tasks

Roof and gutters: Inspect for winter damage — missing or damaged shingles, cracked flashing, and ice dam damage. Clean gutters and downspouts. Ensure downspouts direct water at least 4-6 feet from the foundation. Professional gutter cleaning: $100-$250.

Foundation check: Walk the perimeter and look for new cracks, settling, or heaving. Check that the soil grade slopes away from the foundation — you need at least 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet. Fill low spots with topsoil.

Siding and paint: Inspect for peeling paint, damaged siding, and caulking failures around windows and doors. Repair and re-caulk as needed. A tube of exterior caulk costs $5-$8 and prevents water intrusion that causes thousands in damage.

Deck and patio: Inspect for loose boards, rotting wood, and popped nails. Power wash and reseal wood decks every 2-3 years. Composite decks need only cleaning.

Interior Spring Tasks

AC tune-up: Schedule professional maintenance before you need cooling. A spring tune-up ($75-$150) catches problems before a July breakdown. Replace the air filter.

Plumbing check: Inspect all visible pipes for leaks. Check toilet seals by adding food coloring to the tank — if color appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper needs replacing ($5 fix that saves gallons per day).

Window and door screens: Repair or replace damaged screens before bug season. Screen repair kits cost $10-$20. Full screen replacement: $20-$50 per window.

Deep clean: Clean behind appliances, wash windows, vacuum HVAC registers, and clean ceiling fans. A thorough spring cleaning improves air quality and catches problems you might miss otherwise.

Summer Priority Tasks

AC efficiency: Change filters monthly during heavy cooling. Keep the outdoor condenser unit clear of debris, plants, and obstructions — maintain 2 feet of clearance around all sides. Trim overhanging branches. Clean condenser coils with a garden hose if needed.

Humidity control: Keep indoor humidity between 30-50% to prevent mold. Run bathroom fans during and 20 minutes after showers. Use a dehumidifier in the basement if humidity exceeds 60%. Check for condensation on windows — it signals excessive indoor moisture.

Pest prevention: Inspect the foundation for cracks and gaps where insects enter. Trim vegetation away from the house (maintain 12-inch clearance). Keep mulch at least 6 inches from siding to prevent termite access. Address ant trails and wasp nests before they establish.

Storm preparation: Trim dead or overhanging tree branches. Secure outdoor furniture and decorations. Ensure sump pump is working. Check and clean storm drains.

Fall Priority Tasks

Furnace tune-up: Schedule professional heating maintenance ($75-$150). The technician inspects the heat exchanger (cracked heat exchangers leak carbon monoxide), cleans burners, checks gas connections, and tests carbon monoxide levels.

Winterize plumbing: Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Turn off exterior faucet shut-off valves and open the outdoor faucets to drain remaining water. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas (garage, crawl space, attic). Pipe insulation: $1-$3 per foot.

Gutter cleaning (again): Clear fall leaves before they freeze and create ice dams. Consider gutter guards ($5-$15 per foot) if you have heavy tree coverage. Clean gutters are the single best defense against ice dam damage.

Weatherstripping and caulking: Replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows. Re-caulk exterior joints. Install draft stoppers under doors. These simple measures reduce heating costs by 10-15%.

Reverse ceiling fans: Set ceiling fans to clockwise rotation on low speed. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling, improving heating efficiency in rooms with high ceilings.

Winter Priority Tasks

Prevent frozen pipes: Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher, even when away. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to allow warm air circulation. In extreme cold, let faucets drip slightly — moving water resists freezing.

Ice dam prevention: Keep attic temperature close to outdoor temperature through proper insulation and ventilation. Remove snow from the lower 3-4 feet of your roof with a roof rake after heavy snowfall. Never chip ice from gutters — you will damage them.

Carbon monoxide monitoring: With the house sealed up and the furnace running constantly, carbon monoxide risk increases in winter. Test CO detectors monthly. Never run generators, grills, or cars in an attached garage. If CO alarms sound, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Furnace filter: Change monthly during heavy heating season. A clogged filter forces the furnace to work harder, increasing energy costs and wear.