Just like your personal health, your home’s health will decline without regular care and maintenance. Maintaining a healthy indoor environment helps increase your quality of life and the life of your house. With a few simple steps you can keep your home healthy. Use this checklist as a guideline for your regular spring and fall home maintenance evaluations. Please note that maintenance frequencies may vary depending on your local climate and appliance manufacturing recommendations.
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect all wood framing for signs of rats, bats, roaches, termites, squirrels, mice, and other pests. Contact a professional as needed to treat. | ||
| Check exterior siding and trim for loose pieces and chipped or peeling paint. Repair and repaint as needed. | ||
| Check for and replace decaying or damaged trim around the windows and doors. | ||
| Inspect foundation and masonry for cracks. Hire a professional to repair as needed. | ||
| Check for signs of leaks. |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clear dead plants/shrubs from the house and trim branches of trees that overhang the roof. | ||
| Inspect fence and deck for problems that may lead to wood rot. Clean, repair, reseal, and repaint as needed. | ||
| Check all garden hoses for leaks and repair as needed. | ||
| Drain all outdoor faucets and hoses. Store the hoses for winter. | ||
| Hire a professional to clean out the main sewer line, especially if mature trees are present in your yard. (annually) |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clean window wells (semicircular barriers usually found surrounding basement windows) around the exterior of the house and check for proper drainage. | ||
| Check weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors. Check for signs of leaks and repair or replace as needed. |
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| Repair or replace cracked or broken windows | ||
| Inspect the home interior walls and floors for termites. Contact a professional if treatment is needed. | ||
| Check operation of windows and doors. Install screens, lubricate, and repair as needed. |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clean gutters and downspouts (may need to be done more frequently). Make sure they discharge water 2-3 feet away from the house. | ||
| Check flashing around the chimney, plumbing vent, skylight, and other joints to ensure it is securely fastened; repair as needed. | ||
| Inspect the roof surface, shingles, eaves, and soffits; repair as needed. | ||
| Check that attic insulation is in place; add more where needed. Check vents to make sure they are free of debris and working properly. | ||
| Check for signs of leaks and repair as needed. | ||
| Inspect attic for signs of rodents, bats, roaches, termites, and other pests. Treat as needed; you may want to hire a professional. | ||
| Check ductwork connections to make sure that fans exhaust to outdoors. |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Check bath and kitchen exhaust fans and clean the screens; repair as needed. | ||
| Clean dehumidifier coils, check operation, and replace the filter. | ||
| Clean the garbage disposal. | ||
| Clean the refrigerator and freezer; wash door gasket, vacuum condenser coils, and empty drip pan. Check the door seal by closing it on a dollar bill. If you can easily remove the bill, then it is time to replace the gasket. | ||
| Clean washing machine water inlet filters; check hoses – replace if leaking. | ||
| Vacuum clothes dryer lint from ducts and surrounding areas. (You should be cleaning the filter after each use). |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| every 3-7 years | Hire a professional to pump your septic tank to prevent backup. This may need to be done more frequently if you have a garbage disposal. | |
| Check toilets and tanks for leaks; repair as needed. | ||
| Check and repair any faucet, tub, or shower leaks. | ||
| Inspect the caulking and grout around toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks; if caulking is damaged, scrape it out and re-caulk. | ||
| Check water-purification and water softener filters; change as needed. | ||
| Inspect water heater for leaks, corrosion, and proper operation (you may opt to have a plumber do this); inspect flue assembly for gas water heaters. | ||
| Check water main/meter or well pump for leaks or sweating. | ||
| Test the water-heater pressure and temperature-relief valve for proper operation. | ||
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Check for frayed/damaged cords and wires. Check exposed wiring in basements and call an electrician if there are dangerous conditions. | ||
| Clean all light fixtures, interior and exterior. | ||
| Trip the circuit breakers and test ground fault interrupters to ensure proper protection; label switches if needed. | ||
| Inspect indoor and outdoor outlets to ensure they are in safe, working condition. Contact a professional electrician if needed. | ||
| Check for frayed/damaged cords and wires. Check exposed wiring in basements and call an electrician if there are dangerous conditions | ||
| Clean all light fixtures, interior and exterior. | ||
| Trip the circuit breakers and test ground fault interrupters to ensure proper protection; label switches if needed. | ||
| Inspect indoor and outdoor outlets to ensure they are in safe, working condition. Contact a professional electrician if needed. |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Replace air filters (this may need to be done more frequently depending on your HVAC system). | ||
| Dust off ceiling fan blades. Run the fan counterclockwise during spring/ summer and clockwise during fall/winter. | ||
| Hire a professional to tune-up the heating and cooling system. | ||
| Cover or remove any window air-conditioning units; seal openings. | ||
| Inspect the ductwork and vents; clean as needed. | ||
| Check the fireplace damper and clean the chimney (you may opt to hire a professional to do this). |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Check for signs of mold, moisture, water damage, and leaks. Repair as needed. | ||
| Look for signs of rats, bats, roaches, termites, squirrels, mice, and other pests. Seal openings to keep pests out. Treat as needed; you may want to hire a professional. | ||
| Check that the sump pump and floor drain are working properly. |
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| Check operation of the garage door safety shut-off. | ||
| Look for signs of rats, bats, roaches, termites, squirrels, mice, and other pests. Seal openings to keep pests out. Contact a professional as needed to treat. | ||
| Clean out your garage, properly disposing of paint thinners, household cleaners, and pesticides. | ||
| Check for signs of water damage and leaks; repair as needed. | ||
| Spring Only | Have your lawnmower serviced. | |
| Fall Only | Empty and clean gas cans. | |
| Fall Only | Clean and store garden tools once all fall yardwork is completed. | |
| Repair cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway. | ||
| Spring | Fall | Maintenance item to check |
|---|---|---|
| monthly | Check that your fire extinguisher is fully charged; recharge or replace as needed. | |
| Change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. | ||
| Review your hoe evacuation plan and ensure escape ladders are available and working. | ||
| Update your home emergency plans in case of fire, tornado, etc., and be sure that each family member knows his or her role. | ||
| If your drinking water comes from a private well, you should have it tested. (See Bulletin 939, “Water Quality and Common Treatments for Private Drinking Water Systems”) | ||
| every 2 years | Test your home for radon. Contact your local extension agent or visit www.ugaradon.org for more information. | |
For more information, visit healthyhomes.uga.edu
