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Time to Tie up Loose Ends: Annual Home Maintenance Calendar Setup Made Easy

Home maintenance to-do list

Regular maintenance and repair works are a homeowner’s shortcut to long-term functionality, comfort, and increased market value of their property – but do you know how often you should roll up your sleeves and put in a bit of elbow grease to keep your home shipshape? To stay on top of home upkeep, every proud property owner should draw up an annual maintenance calendar and stick to it religiously as this will reduce long-term hardware servicing hassle and costs. Here are a few guidelines on how to set up your home maintenance calendar and keep your property in perfect shape throughout the seasons.

Monthly MaintenanceAnnual Home Maintenance Checklist - ToolBox Divas

Home maintenance tasks which you’ll need to tackle on the monthly basis are mainly related to home safety, and they include the following four points.

• HVAC checks. Inspect the HVAC system and replace filters every 1-2 months to prevent respiratory problems, especially if your family has a pet or if some members suffer from an allergy. For allergy- and pet-free households, HVAC filters can be swapped every 2-3 months to cut the upkeep costs.

• Kitchen sink disposal cleanup. Use vinegar ice cubes or a standard degreaser to clean the sink disposal and prevent bacterial development in your kitchen. Vinegar is a better option for green-minded homeowners as it doesn’t add to your household’s ecological footprint like chemical-based cleaning solutions.

• Fire extinguisher inspection. Check the pressure gauge on the fire extinguisher and make sure that the unit is functional and easily accessible. In case the gauge is not working or the unit shows visible signs of abuse such as dents and scratches, you may need to have it replaced.

• Range hood filter maintenance. Regular range filter cleanups are a must, and if you’ve been neglecting this aspect of home upkeep for a while, you’ll have a lot of dirty work on your hands. Soak the filter a solution made from hot water and a potent degreaser for a couple of minutes to remove accumulated dirt and grease, then rinse it well and put it back in the hood.

HVAC

Quarterly Checkups and Repairs

Quarterly maintenance will make sure all critical home hardware is in good shape, and these tasks involve kitchen and bathroom component checks, repairs, and cleanups.

• Smoke detector tests. Check carbon dioxide and smoke detectors in your home and replace batteries if needed. In case the units are not working after the battery swap, try cleaning the battery terminal of rust and dirt. If the detector is still not budging, you may need to get a new one.

• Fridge cleaning. Unplug the fridge from the power outlet and clean its insides with a solution made from lukewarm water and vinegar. Before returning the staples into the fridge, check expiry dates and throw away gone-off products to keep your food storage sanitary.

• Water outlet checks. Inspect plumbing and water outlets on your property, run water in little used bathrooms and clean the sink and toilet bowl to prevent dirt buildup. Ozzy plumbing experts also recommend taking care of leaks and clogged drains immediately upon detection as these issues can compromise safety and market value of your home if left unattended.

Biannual To Do List

Twice a year, give your home a full inspection and tend to any damaged equipment to keep the property safe and clean.

• Water heater check. Inspect the pressure relief valve on your water heater and clean the unit of corrosion and mineral buildup. Dirt buildup can slice the unit’s lifespan and cause various glitches, and preventing them is cheaper than replacing a heater gone haywire through neglect.  

• Spring clean your home. Go over your belongings, and toss or donate items you don’t need to keep your home clean and functional. Also, check if all appliances are in good working order and replace batteries in smoke detectors, security devices, and other critical electrical equipment.

• Clean the gutters. In early spring and late autumn, clean the gutters and downpipes to prevent spring floods and wintertime ice dams that can compromise the roof structure.

Paint the house

Annual Upkeep Tasks

The maintenance calendar should also include the tasks that need to be performed once a year, and these tasks include both home and garden maintenance.

• Flush the water heater. Flushing the water heater once a year will extend the unit’s lifespan and reduce the risk of leaks and consequent repair costs.

• Home insurance review. Check your home insurance policy and see whether it needs to be renewed or extended any time soon. That way, you’ll make sure your home is safe in case of any accidents or burglary.

• Get a chimney sweep. Chimneys should be swept once a year, preferably before the heating season. This will lower the risk of fire and improve your home’s thermal regulation capacities.

• Inspect heating equipment. The heating system should be inspected once a year to make sure all critical components are in good working order. Parts that show signs of wear and tear should be replaced to minimize risk of mishaps during the heating season.

• Backyard checks. Aerate the lawn in early spring and eliminate clutter from sheds and auxiliary facilities to stay on top of outdoor storage and keep the curb appeal in check.

• Fresh paint touches. If possible, refresh your wall and pool paint once a year to keep your home chic and functional. Also, if the drywalls are damaged, tend to them without delay to prevent cracks and patches of peeling paint from spreading further.

Staying on top of home upkeep is easy if you know when and how to go about it – and now you do, so don’t put off annual home maintenance setup if you want to keep your home functional and organized 24/7. Good luck!

 

This article was written by Zoe. Zoe is a proud mom of one baby girl and a miniature schnauzer. When not obsessing about designing perfect homes, Zoe is spending time with her family. You can find her on Twitter.

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