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Home Maintenance

Buying a home is usually the single biggest investments you’ll ever make. It is important to treat your home well and keep it properly maintained so its value will increase over time. As a homeowner you will have to keep your house functioning properly. Proper maintenance will help to minimize problems. Use the following checklist to ensure that everything in your house is functioning properly. As soon as you notice a problem, fix it so it doesn’t grow into a larger, more expensive problem.

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Fall/Winter (Outside)
  • Replace storm windows and doors.
  • Store garden hoses and remove hose connections to prevent freezing.
  • Replace all weather stripping and caulking around the windows and doors as needed.
  • Fill all cracks and holes in the house siding with caulking as needed.
  • Remove window air conditioners or use a weatherproof cover.
  • Clean and store removable screens.
  • Removes leaves from gutters and drain pipes.
  • Repair leaky roofs as soon as possible.
  • Keep walkways and stairs free of ice and snow.
  • Remove snow and ice from roof and gutters.
Fall/Winter (Inside)
  • Inspect fireplace, damper, ash collector and flue.
  • Check insulation in attic and basement.
  • Replace or add insulation as needed.
  • Have the heating system serviced. Change the furnace filters.
  • Do maintenance on the hot water heater as specified by the manufacturer.
  • Check all faucets for leaks. Replace the washers if necessary.
  • Clean the refrigerator coils.
  • Clean major appliances according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Check all fire extinguishers. Review the instructions and replace is needed.
  • Replace batteries in all smoke detectors when you change the clocks for daylight savings time.
Spring/Summer (Outside)
  • Check, and if necessary, replace exterior clapboard, shingles and/or siding.
  • Check exterior lighting systems.
  • Check, and if necessary, repave driveways and walkways.
  • Check and fix exterior railings and stairways.
  • Handle landscaping and gardening tasks.
  • Check the weather stripping and caulking around doors.
  • Check the outside of your house for cracked and peeling paint. Caulk and repaint as necessary.
  • Remove, clean, and store removable storm windows.
  • Patch or replace as needed all door and window screens. Store removable screens.
Spring/Summer (Inside)
  • Inspect central and window air conditioning units.
  • Have central heating system cleaned while not in use.
  • Replace batteries in all smoke detectors when you change the clocks for standard time.
  • Replace the filters on air conditioners.
  • Clean vents and filters on dryers, stoves, and room fans.
  • Check the seals on refrigerators and freezers. Clean the coils and burner surfaces. Adjust the burners.
  • Clean the fireplace. Leave the damper open on non-air conditioned houses for improved ventilation.