What home maintenance do I actually need to do?
Seasonally: furnace filters and service, gutters twice a year, grading away from the foundation, dryer vent, alarms, and winterizing outdoor plumbing. Everything on that list is cheap and prevents something expensive.
Spring. Inspect the roof from the ground for missing or curling shingles. Clear gutters and confirm downspouts discharge well away from the foundation. Check grading slopes away from the house. Service the air conditioner before you need it.
Summer. Caulking and exterior paint. Trim trees back from the roof and away from the sewer lateral. Test the sump pump.
Fall. Furnace service and a fresh filter. Gutters again after the leaves drop. Shut off and drain outdoor taps. Clean the dryer vent, which is both efficiency and fire risk. Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.
Winter. Watch for ice damming at the eaves and check the attic for condensation, which signals a ventilation problem worth fixing before it rots the sheathing.
Annually. Have the chimney inspected if you burn anything, drain sediment from the water heater, and walk the basement after heavy rain looking for anything new.
None of this is glamorous and all of it is cheaper than the failure it prevents.
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Find trades for seasonal workNext questions
How much should I budget for maintenance every year?
Reserve against what the building costs to rebuild rather than against what you paid, which is how the ownership statement in this app sizes the line. Whatever figure you use, it arrives lumpy: nothing for three years, then a roof.
Market practice
How old is too old for a roof, furnace or water heater?
Asphalt shingles last fifteen to twenty-five years, a furnace fifteen to twenty, an air conditioner twelve to fifteen, a water heater eight to twelve, and windows twenty to thirty. Anything within five years of the end of that range is a cost you are buying.
Market practice