Home maintenance guides
Short, printable checklists for the maintenance that never flashes a warning light. Each one tells you what to do, when, and how often.
Fall and winter
Fall home maintenance checklistA printable fall home maintenance checklist: furnace, gutters, outdoor faucets, sprinklers, mower storage, smoke alarms and more, with what to do and when.How to winterize a sprinkler (irrigation) systemSprinkler winterization before the first freeze: shut off the irrigation water, drain or blow out the lines zone by zone, and protect the backflow preventer.How to winterize outdoor faucetsTo winterize an outdoor faucet or hose bib: disconnect the hose, close the indoor shutoff, open the faucet to drain, and add a cover.How often to change your furnace filterCheck your furnace filter monthly and replace it at least every 3 months. Change intervals by filter type, plus pets and allergies.How to store a lawn mower for winterWinter mower storage: drain the fuel or add stabilizer, clean the deck, check oil and blade, store it dry. Based on extension advice.How to flush a tank water heaterWater heater flush, step by step: heat off, cold supply off, drain through a hose until clear, then refill before turning heat on.How often to clean guttersGutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, in late spring and late fall, and more often under pines or oaks. When to clean them and what to check.Smoke detector testing and battery scheduleTest smoke alarms monthly, replace batteries at least once a year, and replace the whole alarm every 10 years, per the U.S. Fire Administration.How to prevent frozen pipesKeep pipes from freezing: insulate exposed pipes, drain outdoor lines, drip faucets on the coldest nights, and keep the heat at 55°F or higher when away.Winter home maintenance checklistA printable winter home maintenance checklist: furnace filter, frozen pipe prevention, smoke and CO alarms, roof and gutters, dryer vent, and storm prep.How to prevent ice damsIce dams start in the attic: warm air melts roof snow that refreezes at the edge. Air sealing, insulation, ventilation and safe snow removal, with a checklist.
Spring
Spring home maintenance checklistA printable spring home maintenance checklist: AC check-up, gutters, roof, sprinklers, sump pump, smoke alarms and more, with what to do and when.How to start up a sprinkler system in springSprinkler system start-up without bursting a pipe: wait for thawed soil, close the drains, open the main irrigation valve slowly, then check every zone.How to test a sump pumpTest your sump pump before the snowmelt and spring rains: check the discharge pipe, lift the float or pour in water, and watch it cycle twice.When to apply crabgrass preventerApply crabgrass preventer before crabgrass sprouts: when soil stays above 55 to 60°F for 7 to 10 days. Timing, seeding cautions and a printable checklist.How to find air leaks in your homeFind drafts with a flashlight, a sheet of paper or incense smoke. Four DIY air leak tests from ENERGY STAR, plus a printable checklist of where to look.Where to put carbon monoxide alarmsPut carbon monoxide alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas, not in the kitchen. What the CPSC says about placement, testing and replacement.How to test a GFCI outletTest every GFCI outlet once a month: plug in a light, press TEST, then RESET. What the CPSC says to do, and when to replace the outlet.What temperature to set your water heater toThe U.S. Department of Energy suggests turning your water heater down to the warm setting, 120°F. What that saves and why it also avoids scalding.How to test your home for radonEPA says testing is the only way to know your radon level, and recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L. When to retest and what the numbers mean.
All year
Home maintenance scheduleA complete home maintenance schedule: what to do monthly, every spring, every fall, and once a year, for HVAC, plumbing, safety, exterior, lawn and garden.How often to clean a dryer ventClean the lint filter every load and the dryer vent duct about once a year, more often if drying takes longer than it used to. Signs, steps and safety.Monthly home maintenance checklistA 15-minute monthly home maintenance checklist: HVAC filter, smoke and CO alarms, leaks, drains, GFCI outlets, the garage door reverse test and tire pressure.Car maintenance scheduleA simple car maintenance schedule: monthly tire and fluid checks, oil changes and tire rotations by mileage, and the yearly jobs, based on your owner’s manual.How to clean refrigerator coilsClean refrigerator condenser coils once or twice a year so the compressor works less: find the coils, unplug the fridge, brush and vacuum. Takes 15 minutes.Automatic garage door maintenanceAutomatic garage door maintenance: test the auto-reverse monthly, check the photo-eye sensors, lubricate rollers and hinges, and leave springs and cables to a pro.First-year homeowner checklistJust bought a house? A printable first-year checklist: what to do the first week, the first month, and through the first year so nothing gets missed.HVAC maintenance schedule by seasonCheck the filter monthly, have the AC serviced in spring and the furnace in fall. A printable HVAC maintenance schedule with the DIY jobs and the pro tune-up.How to care for a septic systemInspect an average septic system at least every 3 years and pump every 3 to 5. What EPA says to flush, pour down drains, and keep off the drainfield.