Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist
Not sure what home maintenance needs to be done and when? Take a look at our monthly home maintenance checklist.
03/03/2021
As a guest on Radio 702 the other day, we were talking about home maintenance tasks that need to be done regularly and how important it is as a homeowner that you stay on top of this if you want to spot potential problems before they happen, or before they get worse than they already are. If you are a new homeowner or are unsure of what home maintenance tasks you need to do regularly, here's a checklist that is done on a seasonal basis, so that you can have peace of mind that your home is protected.
NOTE FOR LANDLORDS
While this article is intended for homeowners it also applies to homeowners who lease out their properties to tenants on a regular basis. You may not be able to undertake regular inspections for yourself, but you should make sure that tenants are aware of seasonal maintenance that needs to be performed.
AUTUMN HOME MAINTENANCE
When the temperatures start to drop and leaves fall in the garden, this is the time to get outside before it gets too cold to take care of a few home maintenance tasks that need to be done. This includes hiring Millers tree care in Spring Hill to do the pruning and trimming back of overgrown shrubs and trees.
Here is our checklist for your home in autumn:
- Starting at the top with the most
important part of any home is to check the
roof. It doesn't matter if your roof is
tiled, IBR, flat or angled, anything can go
wrong with a roof - at any time. It cannot
be stressed enough that you always need to
keep an eye on the roof for potential
problems.
- In winter rainfall areas, clean out downspouts and gutters to remove leaf debris that could potentially block these and result in expensive repairs you don't need. Also, check that downspouts are pointing away from the structure and water flow is not interrupted.
- For those properties that have a
fireplace and chimney, periodic checking of
this is vitally important. Check the
flashing around the chimney and check
indoors that the fireplace is clean and
functioning properly. You might not need to
use the fireplace at this moment but it
won't be long before the winter chills set
in and that's when you need a fireplace in
good working order.
- Inspect window and door frames for gaps.
Also inspect around the frames that the
brickwork is still in good condition.
- Fix any gaps around doors, particularly
at the bottom of doors. If gaps are
substantial, think about installing a
draught excluder or door sweep to the doors.
- If not already done, consider the
installation of ceiling insulation, a geyser
blanket and pipe insulation.
- Autumn is the best time to do any exterior home painting unless you are in a winter rainfall region in which case spring is the best time. If you use quality paint products for painting the exterior of your home, you should only need to paint every 7 to 10 years.
WINTER HOME MAINTENANCE
While most winter home maintenance is best tackled in the autumn months, before the outdoor temperature gets too chilly, anything that you didn't manage to do during autumn can be done now.
Here is our checklist for your home in winter:
- As previously mentioned in the autumn
home maintenance checklist, giving your roof
a quick inspection is a necessity that
should be done as regularly as possible.
- With
it being
cold
outdoors,
winter
is the
ideal
opportunity
to
complete
any
maintenance
projects
you have
had on
hold.
This
could
include
cleaning
out
indoor
drains
using a
combination
of white
spirit
vinegar
and
bicarbonate
of soda.
If you
clean
these
regularly,
you will
prevent
future
blockages
from
becoming
an
issue.
- Winter is the best time to schedule
repairs on air conditioning systems, whether
these have to be done on-site or the units
sent in for annual maintenance.
- Get out into the garden to take care of any annual winter tasks that need to be done. This includes pruning and trimming back of overgrown shrubs and trees.
SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE
Here is our checklist for your home in spring:
- As previously mentioned in the autumn
home maintenance checklist, giving your roof
a quick inspection is a necessity that
should be done as regularly as possible.
Spring is when the first rainfalls are due,
particularly for those in the summer
rainfall areas, and putting off any roof
repairs could result in expensive jobs that
your insurance company might not cover due
to insufficient maintenance being performed.
- If you didn't manage to schedule
repairs on air conditioning systems during
winter, make sure to schedule this now
before it is too late.
- In summer rainfall areas, clean out
downspouts and gutters to remove leaf debris
that could potentially block these and
result in expensive repairs you don't need.
Additionally, check that downspouts are pointing away from the structure and water flow is not
interrupted.
- Take care of any repair or maintenance to outdoor furniture as well as outdoor timber fixtures and fittings, such as decks and fencing. Clean hardscape areas such as concrete slabs and paving using a high-pressure sprayer.
- Inspect window and door frames for gaps
and also inspect around the frames that the
brickwork is still in good condition. Remove
and re-apply damaged sealer around
window panes and frames.
- In the garden take care of any annual
spring tasks that need to be done.
This includes applying fertilizer to
beds and lawn.
- For properties with wooden windows and window frames, annual maintenance will include rubbing back and re-applying an exterior sealer. This also applies to exterior wooden doors and frames.
SUMMER HOME MAINTENANCE
If you keep to the seasonal checklist above for autumn, winter and spring, you should have plenty of time to sit back and relax during summer. But before you do, take a final inspection of your home and make a list of items that might need a bit of quick maintenance to keep them running throughout the year, for example, clean your garage door and do a general tidy up in the garage and any garden sheds you have.
Home maintenance never stops and you should always take the time to go around your property, both indoors and out, to keep an eye out for potential problems. If anything needs to be fixed, do it before it gets forgotten.