The Home Maintenance Checklist
By Frank Bolinsky
Owning a home is both a wonderful experience and an incredible burden to keep it clean, aesthetically pleasing looking, safe, and functional. There are a lot of easy steps homeowners can take to lessen the chance of problems by remembering to do a handful of activities throughout the year. I’ve learned many of these the hard way. I didn't know for years that my dishwasher had a filter. I had neighbors that had no idea filters needed to be replaced on their HVAC and their HVAC froze.
Monthly:
Check the batteries in the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors using the test button. Clean the dishwasher filter at least once a month. Deep clean the garbage disposal with boiling water and store-bought tablets. 1-2 inch furnace filters need to be replaced every 1-3 months. Deep clean your washing machine using vinegar or store-bought products. Run vinegar through your coffee pot to descale it. Try to see your roof once a month to look for any missing or misplaced shingles. At least check after major windstorms.
Every 6 months:
It is recommended that batteries are replaced in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every 6 months. Pour bleach, vinegar, or boiling water down AC drain line. I wasn’t doing this and my furnace flooded. Check places you rarely look to ensure there are no leaks (basement, under sink cabinets, around your hot water heater and furnace). 3-4 inch furnace filters need to be replaced every 4-6 months
Every 12 months:
Change whole house humidifier filter, if you have one. Vacuum outside surface of air return vents and bathroom ceiling vents. They’ll appear noticeably dusty.
Clean out dryer vent to outside (I used a leaf blower to do it myself). 5-6 inch furnace filters need to be replaced every 9-12 months.
Seasonally:
Change floor and ceiling HVAC vent directions in your house. In winter, you want to force heat to the bottom level of your house as it’ll rise, and in summer, force cold air up. Consider magnetic vent covers for basement vents in the summer. Change the direction of ceiling fans or furnace damper if you have one accordingly. Right before winter, turn off the water to hose bibs inside the house and leave house bibs open outside.
106 | THE MOTHERLODE
Powered by FlippingBook