Can you believe this is my 800th blog post?! I couldn’t think of a better way to mark this milestone than by answering a reader question. I had an excellent question through on my Facebook page this week that has prompted this post which I hope will be a helpful resource for homeowners. We all understand that we need to regularly service our vehicles to keep them running at their optimum, likewise our homes need to be well looked after. This annual home maintenance schedule will help you keep on top of the checks needed to keep your home at its best.
Annual Home Maintenance Schedule For The Homeowner
Quarterly Checks
- Clean range hood filters. Dirty range hood filters will cause a loss of effectiveness in the suction of your range. As a bonus this is one of the most satisfying jobs, once you’ve seen how dirty they get you’ll be happy to deep clean these on a 3 monthly basis. This is also useful for the exhaust fans in your home.
- Check for leaks. On a quarterly basis, take a walk around your home, inside and out, and make a visual check for leaks. Dealing with leaks swiftly can prevent many ongoing and expensive issues around your home.
- Test smoke detectors. Every 3 months check your smoke alarms are working by pressing the button in the middle of the smoke alarm. Do so on all of the smoke alarms in your home.
- Clean gutters. Did you know that a build up of leaves in gutters is the highest reason for roof leaks? The water that falls needs to go somewhere and if your gutters are choked with leaves, this can push the water up under the eaves and into your ceiling cavity. It can be easily prevented by keeping your gutters clean. As a note, building inspectors can tell if that roof leak you experienced is due to your full gutters, which can void any warranty claims. This can be adjusted to quarterly if your home has no trees near by.
- Check your fridge seals. Fridges are often the most expensive appliance to run in the home, a simple check of the fridge seals will ensure that your fridge is running at its best at all times. Check the seals for any breaks, discoloration, cracks or if it is hard and brittle, it needs replacing.
Annual Checks
- Have your air conditioner serviced. We have our air conditioner serviced in Winter and Summer, specifically because I’ve seen what comes out of them when the service is performed. Those filters harbor mould, allergens and dirt that are no good for our health. At the very least have your air conditioner serviced on an annual basis, or clean the filters yourself.
- Check and clean the fridge cells. Grab your vacuum, and vacuum your fridge cells at the back to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Visually check for termites. Talk a walk around all of your home, and carry out a visual inspection for termites, if you think you have found something, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals to asses the likelihood they have entered your home. The earlier you catch them, the less the repair bill will be.
- Check the exterior of your home. While checking for termites as explained above, check the exterior of your home for anything damage. Pealing paint, cracks, separated timber, broken windows, anything you find, action having fixed. Proactively fixing damage as it happens, will save you big money in the long run. These weak points around your home have the potential to expand and cause significant damage that will be very costly to fix.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm. Most calendars show 1st April as the date to change your smoke alarm batteries, but regardless of the date you choose, ensure you have a reminder so it is not forgotten. This has the potential to save your life!
- Clean your chimney. While this is not a job I would ever like to do myself, it is essential to have your chimney cleaned once a year to ensure maximum efficiency and safety. It makes sense to do so just before you will begin using your fireplace for the year.
- Clean and oil your deck. There are great products on the market now to make this job much easier. For protection of your timber decks, clean and oil them annually. We do this each year in Spring.
- Clean your carpets. If you have ever been present when your carpets have been cleaned this one will be a non-negotiable for you. Carpets fill up with so much dirt and dust, an annual clean is a must.
- Clean ceiling fans and light bulbs. Dust reduces efficiency, therefor clean the ceiling fans and light bulbs will save you money!
- Check your weather seals. A quick check of all your weather seals will show you if any need replacing. A quick and easy job for most handypeople and the savings that come with heating and cooling will quickly add up!
- Flush out any unused drains. Sewers smell as bad as we think they do and the thing preventing that smell from entering your home is the s traps on your drains. Overtime if not regularly used, the water which creates a seal in the s trap will evaporate, however this is easy to overcome but running some water in any sinks, and flushing toilets that are not regularly used.
Regular maintenance will keep your home in tip top shape, it really is an investment in your future. If you would like a copy of my annual checklist, you can download your FREE copy here, The Builders Wife Home Maintenance Checks.
Are you a handy person? Do you feel comfortable maintaining your home?
Thank you for your maintenance schedule check list, very handy to have as a home owner. Getting our air conditioner serviced for summer is something we will differently need to look at getting done. Love your blog.
Thank you Carla, you will love your freshly cleaned and serviced air con!
We’re about to get stuck into some much needed house love! This is a great list and has come at a great time. Thanks so much for the amazing knowledge you share with your audience!! x
Aww thanks for being here Bec! xx
Thanks for the reminders. Servicing the central heating is also another good one to go along with the aircon.
That is a great addition Deena, thank you!
My dream list!!! I always try to keep on top of this but sometimes the months fly by. Thanks for the helpful list – time to get started ???
That is really true Emily, the days are gone before we know it. Hopefully the list will help everyone prioritise. x
800 Wow!!
As we have terracotta tiles roof checks are our #1 house maintenance. Have just replaced two ceilings in our reno: ouch!
Great tips in your blog. I also loved that you recently shared your house colour Dune: such a versatile colour.
Oh gosh, that is expensive! I had thought of an annual roof inspection for the list, but was concerned about sending people up on their roof with no fall protection. Love Dune this is the second house we have used it on xx
Excellent tips – as always. Thank you for what you do.
Thank you Terri, that is very kind of you to say. x
I am not a handy person and had never even thought of some of the things you mentioned in your list.. I did have chuckle about cleaning the chimney.. living in a unit in the inner city I dream of a roaring fireplace in winter.. one day the dream will come true..
happy 800 reasons to celebrate
Thank you Danita! Fireplaces are beautiful but goodness they are hard work!!
I cannot thank you enough for this! It is EXACTLY what I needed! I am so grateful!
My pleasure ?
Congratulations for reaching the 800 blog posts! Thanks for the list – it will be my ‘weekend to do’.
Great work Anita!
Thanks for the advice. New to your blog and social media. Great job.?
Welcome Tracy!
Thank you Nicole for providing the most practical and relevant advice to our industry and consumers.
You are incredibly kind Maree and a wonderful inspiration to me, thank you xx
Great list nicole!! We try and keep up with these things (but now have a few new ones to add to our list) I’m going to add to our calendar I think so we don’t forget xx
Ceiling fans are one thing I make sure we keep on top of so it doesn’t spread dust and cause allergies!
Congratulations on your 800th Post!
Thank you for a great list, it is going on my fridge ?