Home sale prices vary from state to state, but you can expect to pay an average of $511,100 for a new property. One way to protect your investment is to follow a regular home maintenance plan.
While you may feel the urge to tackle all areas of your home at once, it’s best to allocate a few tasks per season. Our seasonal home maintenance checklist will help you know what to focus on throughout the year. Discover some of the best tips for caring for your home in spring, summer, fall and winter.
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Spring
Spring often sparks a desire to deep clean our homes. This tradition dates back to ancient times, and it’s a great opportunity to launch your home maintenance schedule.
Here are some projects to add to your spring home maintenance checklist:
- Change HVAC air filters: Your HVAC system has likely worked extensively over winter to keep your home warm. Replace clogged filters to ensure better air quality and energy efficiency.
- Deep clean garage door: Remove cobwebs, dust and other debris from your garage door tracks. Deeply cleaning these components ensures your door opens and closes seamlessly.
- Inspect your roof for leaks: As the United States receives most of its rainfall in winter and summer, it’s best to restore your roof in drier seasons like spring. Check for any missing shingles or damp areas in your home indicating a leak.
- Check lawn maintenance equipment: Your lawn will experience rapid growth during the warmer, sunnier days in spring. Ensure you stay on top of your lawn mowing schedule by inspecting and proactively repairing your equipment.
- Consider painting exterior surfaces: A fresh coat of paint will help protect your exteriors from the harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays. Consider painting your garage doors and property walls for increased longevity.
Summer
The warm weather and the longer days of summer make it a good time to tick off some essential tasks. Use these ideas to inspire your summer home maintenance checklist:
- Check for air leaks: Retain the cool air in your home by sealing any air leaks around doors and windows. Ensuring more effective seals will also help you reduce the load on your air conditioner.
- Inspect your premises for insects: After frigid winter temperatures, insects wait until spring to lay their eggs. Come summer, you may have an insect infestation. Perform routine inspections during the hotter months and remove any insects from your home or garage before damage occurs.
- Trim foliage around garage doors: Trees and bushes grow prolifically in summer. Prevent them from obstructing your garage door operation by trimming them frequently.
- Clean refrigerator coils: You’re likely to reach for a cold drink more often in summer, which is a good reminder to optimize your refrigeration. Removing dust and pet hair from the coils helps it run more efficiently.
- Prioritize indoor maintenance: The United States experiences some extreme temperatures, with Death Valley in California considered the hottest place on earth. Stay cool by prioritizing interior maintenance tasks during summer.
Fall
Many animals prepare for hibernation in fall, and it’s a good time to follow suit and create a cozy space for the cooler months. Add these items to your fall home maintenance checklist and enjoy a comfier home:
- Clean your gutters and downspouts: You may need to do this task several times during fall, as fallen leaves and twigs can clog your gutters and downspouts. Keeping these areas free of debris will minimize damage to sidings and trims.
- Lubricate garage door parts: Adding a quality lubricant will prevent vital garage door components from getting stiff in winter. It’s best to focus on tracks, rollers and hinges for a smooth operation.
- Check your smoke detectors: Fall weather calls for the use of heaters and fireplaces, so it’s essential you check your smoke detectors are in good condition. If these components are older than 10 years, it’s time to replace them.
- Prep your yard: By prioritizing your green space in the fall, you can reap the rewards later in the year. Adding mulch to flower beds and insulating sprinkler systems are essential tips during this season.
- Flip your mattress: Fall marks the start of shorter days, prompting many of us to press snooze in the mornings. Ensure quality sleep by rotating or flipping your mattress in autumn.
Winter
Winter can take its toll on your home, and keeping up with your maintenance will mitigate any long-term damage. Some items to add to your winter home maintenance checklist include:
- Clean your chimney: If you plan to use your fireplace or woodstove during the colder months, it’s a good idea to clean your chimney. Contacting a professional to fulfill this task is often the best solution.
- Store furniture and equipment: You’ll use patio furniture and gardening equipment less in the winter. Ensure it remains in peak condition by storing it at the start of the season.
- Check your garage door battery backup: Power outages are more prevalent during rain or snow storms. A working battery will enable you to open and close your garage door if the power is out.
- Inspect your pipes: If your home runs water through exterior pipes, inspecting them for freezing vulnerabilities is a good idea. It’s also wise to insulate the pipes as an added precaution against the cold.
- Stock up on sidewalk salt: Laying sidewalk salt or ice melt helps you access your driveways during winter. Be sure to replenish these essentials before the cold weather sets in.
General Year-Round Tips
While it’s a good idea to implement these tasks into your monthly home maintenance checklist, there are some projects you must prioritize each year. These include:
- Garage door maintenance: A malfunctioning garage door is one of life’s greatest inconveniences. Ensure yours works year-round by following a regular maintenance checklist and scheduling a professional inspection once or twice a year.
- Regular cleaning: By frequently cleaning the interior and exterior of your home, you can maintain a healthier, more welcoming space all year long.
- Customize your checklist: If you’re a homeowner with additional specific tasks, like swimming pool cleaning or pest prevention, include these items in your personalized home maintenance checklist.
Prioritize Home Maintenance With Easy Open Door
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to safeguard your investment or a renter hoping to claim back your deposit, these maintenance tips help to ensure your home remains in peak condition. One maintenance area of utmost importance is your garage door.
Easy Open Door is a family-run business committed to helping San Diego residents maintain their garage doors. From biannual tune up services to more extensive garage door repairs, our experienced team takes care of it all!
Book a service with us today or contact our helpful team for more information.
