Printable Yearly Maintenance Checklist

Homes are an investment, and not just when you're planning on selling. My home is my family's refuge and I need it to last. Not too mention that delaying simple maintenance tasks can lead to a more costly repair down the road! I know we're all busy, and home maintenance can feel especially overwhelming. But just like with my Yearly Cleaning Checklist, I find breaking it down into smaller monthly tasks makes it feel much more manageable. This Yearly Maintenance Checklist gives you a month-by-month guide to help you tackle essential home tasks without feeling buried by chores or having to remember when you last changed your HVAC Filters. So let's dive into what you should be doing each month to keep your home looking - and running - its best. And don't forget to grab your printable maintenance checklist!

January

• Change HVAC Filter: Your heating and cooling system works best with a clean filter. Changing it every few months improves air quality and extends the life of your system.

  Estimated Time: 2-5 minutes

• Faucet Aerators: These are that small screen attached to the tip of your faucet, and over time they can get clogged with mineral deposits. Most aerators can be removed by hand (just unscrew them) and cleaned. This is especially important if your area has hard water. This simple task can improve your water pressure!

  Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes, depending on the number of faucets in your home and how much build up you have.

• Oil Squeaky Doors: Just a little bit of WD-40 on the hinges will silence those squeaky doors, and it takes very little time and effort!

  Estimated Time: 1-2 minutes

February

• Window Wells: If you've got basement windows with wells, make sure they are clear of debris and draining properly to prevent any basement flooding!

  Estimated Time: 10 mins - 1 hour depending on when you last did this.

• Repair Caulk: Take a look at the caulking around your windows, doors, and sinks. If it's cracked or peeling, reapply fresh caulk to keep moisture and drafts out!

  Estimated Time: 15-30 minutes

• Unclog Drains: If you've noticed any drains are moving a little slower than normal, this is a great time to pour some boiling water or vinegar/baking soda down the drain to clear any small clogs. For more stubborn clogs, you may need a drain snake or a plumber.

  Estimated Time: 10 minutes

March

• Alarm Batteries: Keep your family safe! I always use Daylight Savings as a reminder that it's time to change the batteries in my smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors.

  Estimated Time: 1-2 minutes

• Trim Trees: It's time for spring storms, which often means falling limbs and possible property damage. Take some time to prune any dead or overgrown branches before that happens! You also want to keep any large branches away from your roof, as leaves and seeds can clog your gutters and the branches themselves can scratch your shingles protective coating.

  Estimated Time: Varies depending on number and height of trees.

• Check Grading: Things I never knew before becoming a homeowner? The slope of the ground is important! If the ground is sloping towards the foundation, you risk water damage and even flooding as the water runs down toward your home. You'll need to add or remove soil as necessary to ensure you've got proper grading and that water is draining away from your house.

  Estimated Time: Varies depending on repairs needed.

April

• Change HVAC Filter: Another filter change to keep your air clean and your systems running efficiently!

  Estimated Time: 2-5 minutes

• Refresh Landscaping: Spring has sprung! Take advantage of warmer days by spending some time in your yard removing dead plants and debris, adding fresh mulch to your landscaping, and planting new flowers or greenery.

  Estimated Time: Varies

• Tighten Loose Knobs: It's not unusual for drawer pulls or even doorknobs to come loose over time, especially if you've got littles hanging on them. Go through your home and tighten up any loose cabinet handles, door knobs, and drawer pulls.

  Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes

May

• Clean Gutters: Spring showers and storms can wash leaves and debris into your gutters, especially if you live in an area with large, mature trees! Clear them out to prevent any overflow and water damage to your home.

  Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

• Service AC Unit: Schedule an AC tune-up to make sure your system is ready to handle the summer heat...and that no large snakes crawled inside over the winter and died (true story!)

  Estimated Time: 30 minutes-1 hour

• Window Wells: Another check on those window wells - staying on top of any debris that tends to gather in there throughout the year makes it a lot less of a project.

  Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes

June

• Pressure Wash Drive: Maybe you don't see this as a completely necessary task, but it sure is a satisfying one! What are the benefits of pressure washing your driveway? It removes dirt, grime, and mildew - which can help prevent weed growth in cracks that lead to further damage.

  Estimated Time: 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the driveway.

• Pressure Wash House: Pressure washing your house extends the life of your exterior materials, which replacing can be costly! Pick a warm day, grab the pressure washer, and clean off any grime or buildup on your siding.

  Estimated Time: 2-4 hours, depending on size of the house.

• Pressure Wash Deck: It's outdoor entertaining season. Another area that can benefit from a good pressure washing? Your deck/patio! This can help prevent rot and extend the life of your deck by washing away mold and mildew. It also helps to extend the life of your wood stain.

  Estimated Time: 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the deck.

July

• Change HVAC Filter: Yet another routine filter change!

  Estimated Time: 2-5 minutes

• Re-Seal Woodwork: If you have a wooden deck, fence, or outdoor furniture, re-sealing will help protect them from moisture and sun damage.

  Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

August

• Window Wells: Check those window wells again before all those leaves start to fall.

  Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes

• Chimney Sweep: If you use your fireplace, it's so important to schedule a chimney cleaning to remove soot and flammable buildup. Otherwise, you've got a fire hazard at worst and a inefficient chimney at best.

  Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

September

• Alarm Batteries: Time to check your alarms and ensure all the batteries are still in good working order in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

  Estimated Time: 1-2 Minutes

• Repair Screens: Winter and colder weather is on its way. Take a look at your window and door screens for any holes or damage and repair them before it gets too cold to want your windows open.

  Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes per screen depending on the extent of the repair.

• Test Garage Door: Check that your garage door opens and closes smoothly. Lubricate the moving parts if needed.

  Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes

October

• Change HVAC Filter: Last filter change of the year!

  Estimated Time: 2-5 minutes

• Service Furnace: Speaking of HVACs, schedule an inspection and tune-up to make sure your furnace is in good working order before winter.

  Estimated Time: 30 mins- 1 hour

• Weather Stripping: Check your doors and windows for any drafts. Replace worn-out weather stripping to keep heat in and energy costs down.

  Estimated Time: 30 minutes-1 hour depending on number of doors and windows that need repaired.

November

• Clean Gutters: Clear out leaves and debris to prevent any ice dams from forming this winter - which can cause water damage and leaks in your home!

  Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

• Window Wells: A final check of those window wells before winter to prevent any water pooling and freezing.

  Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes

• Winterize Hoses: Drain your garden hoses and store them in the garage or shed to prevent them from cracking in the cold.

  Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes

December

• Enjoy the holidays! I know you're way too busy making the holidays magical for your families to worry about any home maintenance this month. See you in January!

Why This Checklist Works

This simple, month-by-month approach makes home maintenance feel manageable. You can take a look above and see that many of these tasks actually take very little time out of our day, yet we often neglect them! Staying on top of this to-do list can prevent costly repairs and keep your home running smoothly all year long. I hope this helps you stay organized and stress-free. Let me know in the comments - which of these is you least favorite task?

And don't forget to download your free Printable Yearly Maintenance Checklist for your fridge!