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Home maintenance gear, by job
Everything our guides recommend, in one place. Each group links to its guide, so you know when and how to use it. UpNext reminds you when each job is due.
Updated
Start here this fall and winter
| If you want to | What to get | How and when |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the furnace breathing all winter | Pleated furnace filters, MERV 8 (check your size) | Furnace filter guide |
| Stop pipes from freezing | Foam pipe insulation | Frozen pipes guide |
| Protect outdoor faucets | Insulated outdoor faucet covers | Outdoor faucet guide |
| A carbon monoxide alarm before the heat runs | Carbon monoxide alarm (UL 2034) | CO alarm guide |
| Clear a lint-clogged dryer vent | Dryer vent cleaning brush kit | Dryer vent guide |
How we picked:
- Every item comes from one of our guides, which cite the sources they're based on.
- We link to an Amazon search, not one product, because the right size or model depends on your home (filter size, pipe width, faucet type).
- We don't list prices or star ratings because they change, and we haven't tested these products ourselves.
As an Amazon Associate, UpNext earns from qualifying purchases. Links go to Amazon search results so you can pick the size and brand that fits.
Car maintenance schedule
- Digital tire pressure gaugeFor the monthly check
- Portable tire inflatorTop up at home
- Wiper blades (check your size)Swap every 6 to 12 months
Fall home maintenance checklist
- Furnace filters (check your size, e.g. 16x25x1)Have spares on hand for the monthly check
- Insulated outdoor faucet coversCheap protection for every hose bib
- Fuel stabilizerFor the mower and other gas tools
First-year homeowner checklist
- Combination smoke + CO alarmReplace any alarm older than 10 years
- Furnace filters (check your size)Spares for the monthly check
- Breaker panel labelsLabel the panel in the first week
Garage door maintenance
- Garage door lubricant sprayFor rollers, hinges and springs
- Garage door bottom sealReplace a cracked seal before winter
How often to change your furnace filter
- Pleated MERV 8 filters, multi-packThe common 60–90 day filter
- MERV 11 filters (pets or allergies)Catches finer dust; check your system can handle it
How often to clean a dryer vent
- Dryer vent cleaning brush kitReaches the whole duct run
- Semi-rigid metal dryer ductReplaces crushed or plastic foil duct
How often to clean gutters
- Gutter scoopFaster and gentler than a trowel
- Ladder stabilizer / standoffKeeps the ladder off the gutter
How to clean refrigerator coils
- Refrigerator coil cleaning brushLong and narrow, reaches under the fridge
- Refrigerator thermometerCheck 35–38°F after cleaning
How to find air leaks in your home
- WeatherstrippingSeals gaps around doors and windows
- Caulk gunSeals small cracks you find
How to flush a tank water heater
- Water heater flush kit / drain hoseFits the drain valve and reaches a floor drain
- Brass drain valve (replaces an old plastic one)Old plastic valves often leak after use
How to prevent frozen pipes
- Foam pipe insulationFor exposed pipes in garages and crawl spaces
- Insulated outdoor faucet coversCheap protection for every hose bib
- Pipe heat cableFor a line that freezes every year
How to prevent ice dams
- Roof rake (telescoping)Clear the roof edge from the ground
- Attic rafter vent bafflesKeep insulation off the soffit vents
- Attic hatch insulation coverSeals one of the biggest leaks
How to start up a sprinkler system in spring
- Sprinkler head flagsMark broken heads as you walk each zone
- Replacement spray heads (match your brand)Swap out cracked or stuck heads
How to store a lawn mower for winter
- Fuel stabilizer for ethanol gasOnly in fresh fuel
- Small engine oil (check your manual's grade)For the fall or spring oil change
- Mower blade sharpenerOr swap in a new blade
How to test a sump pump
- Battery backup sump pumpKeeps pumping if the power or main pump fails
- Water leak alarmSounds off if water rises on the basement floor
How to winterize a sprinkler system
- Sprinkler blow-out adapterConnects a compressor to the system's blow-out port
- Backflow preventer insulation coverKeeps the backflow device from freezing
How to winterize outdoor faucets
- Insulated outdoor faucet coversFits over the hose bib after it's drained
- Frost-free hose bib (if you're replacing one)Puts the shutoff inside the heated wall
HVAC maintenance schedule by season
- Furnace filters (check your size)Spares for the monthly check
- Condenser fin combStraightens bent fins on the outdoor unit
- Combination smoke + CO alarmEvery home with gas heat needs CO alarms
Monthly home maintenance checklist
- Furnace filters (check your size)Keep spares for the monthly check
- Water leak detectorsCatch leaks between checks
- Digital tire pressure gaugeFor the monthly tire check
Smoke detector testing and battery schedule
- 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarmNo yearly battery swap
- Combination smoke + CO alarmOne device for both
Spring home maintenance checklist
- Gutter scoopMakes the spring gutter clean-out faster
- Furnace / AC filters (check your size)Have spares for the monthly check
When to apply crabgrass preventer
- Soil thermometerShows when soil reaches 55°F
- Broadcast spreaderSpreads granules evenly
Where to put carbon monoxide alarms
- Carbon monoxide alarmLook for UL 2034 on the package
Winter home maintenance checklist
- Furnace filters (check your size)For the monthly check
- Combination smoke + CO alarmCovers both in one device
- Roof snow rakeClears snow from the roof edge from the ground