1. Inspect the weather-stripping around your exterior doors and windows; replace as needed. A Handyman or Window Fixer can help you with needed repairs.
2. Inspect the caulking around exterior windows and doors to keep out drafts; repair as needed. A Handyman or Window Installer can help you with needed repairs.
3. Inspect exterior roof vents and clean and/or repair as needed. A Roofer can help you with repairs that you may need.
4. Inspect roofing and chimney caps for damage; repair and/or replace as needed. A Roofer can help you with repairs that you may need.
5. Get your chimney and your fireplace professionally cleaned to avoid chimney fires and blockages.
6. Hire a Chimney Sweeper to inspect the chimney and fireplace for needed repairs.
7. Inspect the entire outside of your house for cracks, holes, and other openings in the siding; repair as needed. Depending on the exterior material of your home, a Painter, Plasterer or Carpenter may be able to help with repairs you may need.
8. Close the air vents in the attic so the heated air in your home doesn't escape.
9. Inspect the attic and the basement in your house for signs of pests such as birds or rodents and seal cracks and holes where they are entering.
10. Schedule an appointment to have your heating system inspected and cleaned so it's ready for the winter season.
11. Vacuum out heating system registers and ductwork.
12. Pressure wash the outside of your house and garage. Use your own water-blaster, or ask a House-Washing company for a quote to pressure wash your house on an annual basis so that you will have one less thing to worry about.
13. Check that your Fire Extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
14. Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
15. Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
April/May
1. Clean leaves, branches, and other debris from roofs.
2. Clean out gutters and downspouts and inspect for leaks and damage; repair as needed. A Roofer can help you with repairs that you may need.
3. Remove window and door screens and clean. Inspect the screens for tears and holes and repair as needed.
4. Clean out humidifiers that you use in the winter and replace the filters.
5. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and drain your hot water heater.
6. Trim tree branches around your house that are touching or are near your roof. A Gardener or Tree Serviceman can give you quotes for trimming trees and tidying your garden.
7. Wall Furnace: Clean grills.
8. Range Hood: Clean grease filter.
9. Faucet: Clean aerator.
10. Tub Drain Assembly: Clean out debris; inspect rubber seal and replace if needed.
11. Floor and Outdoor Drain Grates: Clean out debris.
WINTER
June
1. Check the batteries in the smoke alarms and replace if needed. Also, test the actual alarms after you're sure the batteries are good.
2. Use homemade or store bought drain cleaner to clean out all the drains in the house.
3. Inspect the filters in your heating systems and clean or replace them as necessary.
4. Check that your Fire Extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
5. Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
6. Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
7. Garbage Disposal: Tighten drain connections and fasteners.
8. Clothes Washer: Clean water inlet filters; check hoses and replace them if they are leaking.
9. Clothes Dryer: Vacuum lint from ducts and surrounding areas.
10. Wiring: Check for frayed cords and wires; repair or replace them as needed.
11. Range Hood: Wash fan blades and housing.
July/August
1. Inspect the faucets in your kitchen, bathrooms, basement, etc for leaks and other problems; repair or replace as needed. A Handyman or Plumber can help you with repairs that you may need.
2. Inspect and clean out your clothes dryer vent, if needed.
3. Check that your Fire Extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
4. Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
5. Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
6. Wall Furnace: Clean grills.
7. Range Hood: Clean grease filter.
8. Faucet: Clean aerator.
9. Tub Drain Assembly: Clean out debris; inspect rubber seal and replace if needed.
10. Floor and Outdoor Drain Grates: Clean out debris.
SPRING
September
1. Inspect your basement or crawl space for water and dampness; repair as needed.
2. Inspect door locks, latches, hinges, and other hardware on your interior and exterior doors and windows; repair as needed. Also, use oil to lubricate the hinges and all of the other moving parts.
3. Check that your Fire Extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
4. Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
5. Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
October
1. Replace spark plug in lawn mower as well as other lawn equipment.
2. Replace fuel filters, air filters, etc, in same.
3. Change oil and lubricate all moving parts of lawn equipment.
4. Inspect belts, lines, etc, in lawn equipment and replace as needed.
5. Inspect the blades on your lawn mower for damage; replace if needed
6. Sharpen the blades if you don't replace them.
7. Check that your Fire Extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
8. Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
9. Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
November
1. Open up the air vents in your attic to allow for ventilation.
2. Open up your fireplace damper for ventilation as long as your house does not have central air conditioning.
3. Inspect your basement and/or crawl space for dampness, water, and leakage; repair as needed.
4. Inspect your air conditioning system and clean or replace the filters if necessary.
5. Inspect and clean out your clothes dryer vent, if needed.
6. Main Cleanout Drain: Have a Drain-layer professionally clean out the main line, particularly if there are mature trees in your yard whose roots could have cracked the pipe in their search for moisture.
7. Wall Furnace: Clean grills.
8. Range Hood: Clean grease filter.
9. Faucet: Clean aerator.
10. Tub Drain Assembly: Clean out debris; inspect rubber seal and replace if needed.
11. Floor and Outdoor Drain Grates: Clean out debris.
12. Check that your Fire Extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
13. Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
14. Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
23. Relax!
