House Maintenance Tips & Checklist: A Seasonal Guide
House maintenance is an ongoing responsibility for any homeowner, as your biggest investment, you will want to avoid any long-term damage, and regular maintenance will be important to achieve this.
Every property is different and will require different levels of attention. To help we’ve put together a handy house maintenance checklist with a few helpful tips and tricks to help guide you through the seasons and to keep on top of things throughout the year.
Monthly tasks
First, let’s start with some house maintenance jobs which you should really be doing each month to keep on top of things.
- Check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm batteries.
- Clean your tumble drier of any fluff or dirt.
- Check your boiler pressure.
- Descale and clean your dishwasher.
- Clean cooker hood filters.
- Clean around the inside of the oven.
- Give your bin a good wash (inside and out).
- Cut the grass and sweep any fallen leaves from your garden.
- Complete any minor repairs that you’ve been putting off.
- Do a deep clean and tidy.
- Vacum your sofa.
- Clean any sink or bath drains with a specialist cleaner.
Winter house maintenance tasks
Winter months and the wet and windy weather conditions can take quite a toll on our bricks and mortar if it hasn’t been well maintained.
- To reduce the risk of damp from condensation, keep your home well ventilated and make use of your extractor fans.
- Wipe away condensation from window and door frames to prevent mould form forming.
- Check your pipes for leaks or cracks if there’s been a frost.
- Keep an eye on any fences or trees you have in your garden if its been windy.
- Check your roof for slipped tiles after any strong winds.
- Check drains and gutetring for fallen leaves that might be causing an obstruction
Spring maintenance tasks
It’s spring cleaning time! Now is a good time to complete a deep and thorough clean. Move your furniture to clean those hard to reach places, undertake some much-needed house maintenance on your garden to prepare it for summer and get those pesky DIY jobs off your to-do list. This is the best time for it.
- Check the roof to see if there is any damage or moss that’s occurred over the winter months.
- Take a look at your guttering and drainage holes, make sure there are no leaves or moss blocking these.
- Take a look at the paintwork around your house – is it flaking or fading? Consider touching this up yourself or getting a professional to help.
- Inspect brickwork for signs of damage.
- Check your loft to see if any water has managed to get in over the winter period.
- Clean your windows thoroughly (inside and out).
- Move your furniture and clean in those hard to reach places.
- Clean and dust your light fittings.
- Have a thorough clear out, throw away any unwanted or unused items to give you more space.
- Consider reducing the temperature / thermostat in your house as the weather begins to improve.
- Prepare your garden for the summer – mow the lawn, sweep away fallen leaves, trim any hedges or bushes. Don’t overcommit at this stage as you’ll likely need to give your garden some more attention as the days get hotter.
Summer house maintenance tasks
It’s time for summer and you’re going to need to get your garden in shape for those hot July evenings spent with the family.
- Give any decking, pavement and patios a good clean, ideally with a jet washer if you can.
- Give your garden furniture a thorough clean to remove any dirt or cobwebs.
- Paint any fences or woodwork which might need freshening up.
- Mow the lawn, sweep the patio, trim any hedges or bushes, sweep away fallen leaves, pull up any pesky weeds and generally give your garden a bit of TLC.
- Check the seals around your bath and sinks to ensure they’re not cracked, damaged or leaking.
- Clean your BBQ.
- Check that all outside lighting is in working order.
- Wash your duvets, pillows, cushions and curtains.
- Clean out your garage and give it a tidy up.
Autumn house maintenance tasks
Autumn is the month for packing away from summer and preparing your house for the winter ahead. Here are some of our recommended tasks.
- Cover any garden furniture and pack away in a secure place if possible.
- Keep an eye on guttering and drainage holes to ensure any fallen leaves don’t obstruct these, increasing the risk of water damage occurring.
- Bleed radiators and ensure there are no cold spots that will prevent them working fully throughout winter.
- Insulate external pipework to prevent these from freezing.
- Ensure your security system and lights are in full working order.
- Seal any cracks or gaps in your windows and doors.
- Clean your carpets thoroughly and with a specialist cleaner.
- Check your boiler.
- If you have an open first or wood burning stove, its time to get your chimney swept
More house maintenance tips
Maintaining your home throughout the year can help prevent costly repairs and ensure a comfortable living environment. To stay up-to-date with more property-related tips and tricks, consider signing up for our newsletter. It’s your key to keeping your property in excellent condition and saving both time and money in the long term. Don’t miss out! Sign up today to receive valuable advice directly to your inbox.
Last Updated: November 1st, 2024
