Home Maintenance Checklist for the First Year of Home Ownership – and Beyond

The first year of home ownership is a crash course in being your own landlord, says Reuben Saltzman, home inspector and owner of Structure Tech Home Inspections in Minneapolis. "Keeping up with seasonal maintenance helps prevent small issues from turning into major headaches and gives you a better understanding of how your home works." A home maintenance checklist is one of the best ways to manage home maintenance, especially during your first year of home ownership.

Home maintenance professionals offer their top tips for a seasonal home maintenance checklist.

Your Home Maintenance Checklist by Season

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Check your grading and drainage. Make sure water flows away from your house. “Poor grading is one of the biggest causes of basement moisture problems,” says Saltzman. “Walk the perimeter after a heavy rain and look for pooling,” says Brett Johnson, a real estate agent with New Era Home Buyers in Englewood, Colo.
2. Clean gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves and debris to prevent water damage, says Alice Moszczynski, an interior designer at Planner 5D in New York City. Clean gutters again in the fall, she adds.
3. Inspect the roof. Check your roof for winter damage, says Constantine Anest, owner of Ethos Roofing & Restoration in Denver. Look for loose or missing shingles after storms throughout the spring, Moszczynski suggests.
4. Examine your air conditioner, windows, doors, and siding. “Clear debris around the [AC] unit and consider a professional tune-up,” Saltzman says. Check caulking and sealants around windows, doors, and siding to keep the cool air inside, advises Lance Williams, chairman and CEO of Williams Homes in Santa Barbara, Calif.
5. Spring clean your home. “Deep clean your carpeting and baseboards, as well as appliances like the washer/dryer, stove/oven, and dishwasher, to ensure longevity and prevent flooding or fires caused by buildup,” recommends Williams.

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Test sprinklers and irrigation systems. “Fix leaks and adjust heads to avoid water waste,” says Phil Green, CEO of I Buy SD, a San Diego-based company that works with home sellers. If you’re planning to install a sprinkler system, invest in high-quality parts. You'll save on maintenance and replacement costs.
2. Check your deck and prevent and fix problems. “Inspect deck boards, railings, and fasteners,” says Saltzman. “Replace anything damaged and reseal the deck if needed.” Power wash decks, siding, and patios to remove mold and extend the life of surfaces, Moszczynski says.
3. Look for pest activity. Summer is prime time for bug invasions in your house. Pay special attention to attics and crawlspaces, Saltzman says. Avoid creating a pest highway by piling too much mulch along the foundation, cautions Jeremy Logsdon, co-owner of Preventive Pest Control in Houston.
4. Give your garage a tune-up. “Check garage door function and lubricate hinges and tracks,” recommends Moszczynski. Green adds: "Wipe sensors clean and make sure the door tracks are straight and functioning.”
5. Improve your yard and home’s exterior. “Check exterior paint and stucco for fading or cracking,” Williams says. Repaint as needed. Inspect outdoor lighting and clean the fixtures to improve safety and extend your time outside, he adds.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Prepare your yard for colder weather. Drain and disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior faucets to prevent freezing and pipe bursts, Moszczynski says.
2. Clear your HVAC and water heater combustion air intake. Houses need combustion air ducts to give combustion appliances like furnaces and water heaters enough air to work properly. Clean the intake to safely operate fuel-burning appliances, Saltzman says.
3. Aerate and overseed your lawn. Improve curb appeal by taking these two steps in early fall. Aeration involves punching small holes into the soil so nutrients can reach the roots, and overseeding is spreading seed over turf to fill in bare spots.
4. Check your roof and attic for signs of leaks. Pay special attention to areas around chimneys and skylights, Saltzman says. Signs include damp or discolored walls or ceilings, and water penetrating around the sides of the glass in a skylight.
5. Clean your dryer vent. Have your dryer vent professionally cleaned even if you clean the lint trap after each use, Williams says.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Home fires occur more in the winter than any other season, and carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
2. Check for indoor moisture and humidity issues. Condensation or frost on windows could signal high indoor humidity, Saltzman says. Run bathroom exhaust fans to help manage moisture and prevent mold.
3. Clear walkways. Stay on top of snow removal and use pet-safe salt, says Moszczynski.
4. Check and wrap pipes for insulation. Wrap exposed pipes in preparation for freezing temperatures. Pay special attention to pipes in attics, basements, and crawl spaces, Moszczynski says.
5. Reverse the direction of ceiling fans. In winter, your ceiling fan should spin clockwise at a low speed. It will circulate warm air, preventing your furnace from working overtime and saving on your electric bills.

The first year in a new home will move you into a consistent home maintenance rhythm, Williams says. Following a seasonal home maintenance checklist will prioritize your time and money, familiarize you with your home’s systems, and protect your investment.