Home Maintenance Checklist For First-Time Homeowners

Mar 16, 2022

Home Maintenance Checklist For First-Time Homeowners 

Being a first-time homeowner comes with lots of excitement, but it can also come with some confusion if you're unsure what maintenance you're now responsible for keeping up with. 

Taking care of home maintenance is critical for the longevity of your home's structure and appliances. 

Use this home maintenance checklist to know when to do what. Over time, these home maintenance chores will naturally become part of your routine.

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE

To keep your home in great condition, add these to your to-do list every month: 

• Clean your kitchen sink disposal with baking soda and vinegar. 
• Check for any leaks around your sinks and toilets. 
• Test your smoke alarms.
• Check your water softener to make sure a salt bridge hasn't formed. Add salt every two to three months. 
• Clean your showerheads once a month to remove any built-up minerals.  
• Check your HVAC filters and replace them as needed. 

BIANNUAL MAINTENANCE 

Here's what every responsible homeowner should do every six months. 

• Flush your water heater. 
• Clean aerators on your faucets using vinegar. 
• Test the pressure relief valve on your water heater. 
• Deep clean your house to keep it in good shape. 
• Vacuum your refrigerator coils. 
• Inspect and test your sump pump at least once a year. 
• Clean out your garage at least once a year to make sure your garage doesn't get out of control. 
• Clean your drains to prevent clogging. You can use baking soda, vinegar, and hot water, or use a different homemade method with what you have on hand. 

SPRING  

As the snow melts away and the weather warms, it's time for spring cleaning inside and outside. 

• Power wash your home and deck. 
• Put down mulch for your landscaping once the soil has started to warm. 
• Turn your outside faucets on. 
• Clean your gutters. This is something you'll do again in the fall so the downspout doesn't get clogged.  
• Check your paint and siding. Warm weather is the perfect time for touch ups or repairs to the exterior of your home to keep up your home's curb appeal. 
• If you own a pool, get the chemicals and cleaning materials you need. Prepare and open it to get ready for summer pool parties! 

SUMMER 

Summer is a great time to entertain outdoors, so a lot of your home maintenance this time of year will focus on the exterior of your house. 

• Landscape and clean up your lawn. Water your plants and mow the lawn regularly.
• Keep your pool clean by removing debris off the top with a net and scrubbing the inside once a month in the summer. 
• Sweep your patio and deck and make needed repairs.
• Inside, check for cracks and small holes where pests could get into your house. Seal these crevasses and consider having a pest control company come out to take preventative measures. 
• Adjust your ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise, which will take warm air to the ceiling and push cool air downward. 

FALL  

The fall is all about gearing up for the chilly winter months ahead.

• Rake leaves as needed. 
• Clean and close up your pool. 
• Reseed your lawn.
• If you have a fireplace, clean and inspect it so it's ready for use in the winter. 
• Insulate your doors and windows. 
• Winterize your air conditioning unit to prepare for snow and ice. 
• Get your furnace, boiler, and ductwork serviced. 
• Clear the area around your heat pump and change change the filter. Schedule a maintenance check up for your heat pump before the cold weather arrives.
• Clean your gutters. Remove leaves and debris. 

WINTER  

Winter is the time to bundle up and appreciate the time spent inside your first home.

• Make sure you're stocked up with rock salt and have a shovel to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear of snow and ice. 
• Insulate your pipes.
• Prevent pipes from bursting in freezing temperatures by keeping cabinet doors open so warmer air can circulate. It's also a good idea to let your faucets drip during frigid weather, especially if your pipes are on an exterior wall. 
• Cover your air conditioning unit. 
• Adjust your ceiling fans to turn clockwise. This moves warm air from the ceiling down to the room. 

ORIZON IS HERE TO HELP 

Are you ready to search for your first home? Our team of agents at Orizon Real Estate are ready to help you through the process from start to finish. Call us at 260-248-8961 today to get connected with one of our talented real estate agents.