When the weather warms, it may be a good time to complete the following: 

• Clean up any remaining leaves 
• Contact a professional arborist to inspect trees 
• Check for cracks in your concrete surfaces/structures 
• Clean your gutters and downspouts 
• Wash your windows and doors 
• Replace the batteries in your garage door opener 
• Oil your garage door hinges and chain to ensure it works properly 
• Apply fresh paint to shutters, siding, or outbuildings 
• Start treating the water in your pool 
• Give your lawn mower a tune-up (or take it in for professional servicing) 

Calling a professional is always a good idea for larger projects such as inspecting your trees for damage or disease. 

Inside your home, you’ll need to pay attention to the following tasks: 

• Request an inspection of your home’s chimney 
• Schedule a tune-up for your home’s AC 
• Check your home’s plumbing for leaks 
• Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

If you keep up with your monthly home maintenance checklist, your indoor maintenance routine will be much simpler. 

• Outside your home, you’ll want to focus on the following: 
• Cut the grass regularly 
• Dig up and spray for weeds 
• Check your sprinkler system for dirt and damage 
• Remove leaves and debris from your pool 
• Complete any exterior repair projects  

Here’s a tip: use the highest blade setting to mow. This will protect your grass from drought and weeds. 

When summer heat and humidity rise, you may find yourself enjoying the comfort of the great indoors. But that’s another reason to make sure your home is optimized for rising temperatures. Here are a few things to do to prepare for the summer: 

• Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans 
• Clean your AC air filters once a month 
• Check your home’s weather stripping 
• Contact an exterminator (as needed) to eliminate bugs and household pest 

This can be a great time to complete indoor home improvement projects. With the kids home from school, it’s the perfect opportunity to enlist them to complete some chores around the house. 

Crisp fall weather can be a great time to complete some basic maintenance tasks. Here are a few things to keep at the top of your to-do list: 

• Rake leaves 
• Clean gutters  
• Schedule an inspection of your gutters and downspouts 
• Clean and close your pool 
• Shut down your sprinkler system 
• Accumulate firewood 

Fall can also be a good time to plant perennials such as tulips or daffodils before the ground freezes. 

Inside your home, you’re likely transitioning from your home’s AC to the furnace. The fall season provides a great opportunity to have your furnace serviced by hiring a professional. This may also be a stipulation of your HVAC warranty. But you should also focus on tasks such as: 

• Get your chimney cleaned (if you forgot this task last spring) 
• Clean lint buildup from the dryer vent 
• Check windows and doors for drafts 
• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors 

Contractors often have more free time during the fall and winter than during the summer. The fall may be an ideal time to complete that remodeling project. 

• Here are some basic tasks to prepare you for the cold and snow: 
• Tune up the snow blower (or contact a professional) 
• Inspect your home for ice dams, which can cause water damage to your home 
• Purchase ice melt (though be careful using it around your pets) 
• Drain outdoor faucets to prevent frozen pipes 
• Shovel snow as needed 

And don’t forget to get out and build a snowman! It’s not crucial for home maintenance, but it’s a great way to spend quality time with the kids. 

Inside your home, you should be keeping up with your monthly home maintenance checklist, as well as the following: 

• Replace furnace filters monthly 
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air in and prevent frozen pipes 
• Stock up on food and firewood in the event of a winter storm 

If you leave for an extended period, you should set your thermostat at 55 degrees. This helps to prevent frozen pipes or other damage.