The Ultimate Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Homeowner
- PRO PURE DESIGN
- Nov 4, 2024
- 9 min read
The advantages of regular home maintenance go beyond its physical condition. Undertaking regular tasks for keeping your home on track can significantly boost its market value over time. This is especially important for those considering selling or renting their property in the future. A well-maintained home not only endures over the years but also offers long-term financial benefits. By addressing minor issues before they escalate into expensive repairs, homeowners not only protect their investment but also enhance their property's overall worth. Let’s not forget, that a well-organised and upheld home means comfort for you and your family while you live there. No one wants to enter a messy garden, littered with piles of tools and drying paint from last year's repair project. I urge you to make the effort of turning it into a cozy atmospheric nice place for your morning tea (or coffee) during the summer months.
Of course, home maintenance throughout the whole year may sound like a daunting chore, time-consuming and sometimes not too budget-friendly either. But here is a tip for all your home maintenance projects - breaking them into smaller pieces. In other words, applying monthly, yearly and a seasonal approach.
In our article, we will answer questions like:
What exactly does it mean to apply a seasonal home maintenance approach?
What are the must-haves for each season, so we have a great-looking (and looked after) home all year long?
What types of tasks can we do on our own and for which one it is better we call a professional?
Let's find out more!
Table of Contents:
The Importance of Seasonal Home Maintenance
What is a Home Maintenance Schedule
Just like we think about our good physical condition and have a routine health check-up (usually once a year), having a home maintenance schedule is essential to keep your property in top condition. Checking elements regularly such as the exterior, appliances, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, and security can help prevent costly breakdowns, save money in the long run, and ensure your home remains functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Typically, this schedule includes monthly tasks (like cleaning the garbage disposal or inspecting the electric cords for wear and tear), quarterly or semiannual (like deep spring and autumn cleaning), and seasonal ones (like cleaning the gutters before winter and making sure your boiler is serviced and radiators - balanced).
Why is it Essential
Overlooking routine maintenance can lead to serious problems, no matter whether you are a property owner or landlord or whether your home is new. New homes, especially, require a careful and thorough approach and timely care to prevent issues before they even arise.
Here are four key reasons why it’s crucial to keep up with home maintenance, particularly as the seasons change.
Preserving Property Value
Routine maintenance is key to keeping and even boosting your property's market value. A clean and good-looking home is more appealing to buyers and tenants, directly influencing factors like selling price, lease extension, and the rate of depreciation.
Safety and Security
Regular upkeep is essential for spotting issues like structural wear, faulty electrical systems, and malfunctioning security devices. Frequent inspections can help reduce risks and protect both your family and property from potential dangers.
Prevent Expensive Repairs
Identifying and fixing minor issues early on is far more efficient in terms of time and money spent than dealing with major repairs. Regular maintenance helps catch small problems before they escalate into costly fixes. So, don't postpone! It's not a good idea to wait until things potentially get worse instead of arranging things on time. The best strategy is to act proactively.
Visual Appeal
A well-cared-for home enhances its overall appearance, making it inviting both inside and out. Regular upkeep demonstrates pride in ownership and reflects responsibility as an owner. Imagine the pride of entering your home each evening and passing through a tidy garden, a perfectly mowed back yard and a clean porch where to sit and relax with a glass of wine... Sounds appealing, right?
Home Maintenance Checklist for all Seasons
Seasonal home maintenance involves specific tasks carried out either during or just before a particular season starts to prepare for the weather changes each one brings. For example, roof care can vary depending on the time of year. Before winter, it’s important to inspect the chimney and ensure it's clean to avoid any issues during the heating season. On the other hand, after the spring thaw, checking roof tiles and shingles for any damage caused by harsh winter weather and snow is crucial to maintaining the roof’s integrity.
Below we outlined the most important home maintenance tasks typical for each season. When you know what you need to focus on, you can keep both your home interior and exterior in excellent condition for as long as possible.
Before rolling up your sleeves, it's a good idea to check both the inside and outside of your home and have a clear idea of your home's current condition. While many of the below home project tasks can be handled on your own, it's important to call in professional help if something exceeds your skills. First and foremost is your health and safety and to ensure effective and quality results - don't hesitate to contact us if you feel you need a professional maintenance expert.
Autumn – Preparing for the Cold
Of course, we will start with the autumn tasks since this charming season is at its highest at the moment. Winter is approaching quickly, but we will still have a few sunny and warm days - a perfect time for our list of autumn maintenance tasks. In many places, fall is the ideal time for home maintenance due to its reasonably dry weather and comfortable temperatures. Even if this is not the case with the ever-changing weather conditions, with a tight and strict schedule you can manage the task for a weekend.
Let's see what the tasks are:
Clean gutters and downspouts
You need to inspect the drains and downspouts until the weather is fine and the rainy season is still not at its peak. The goal is to avoid clogging with fallen leaves and other debris that can cause water damage and buildup. In the ideal situation, you better check and clean them twice a year, in spring and autumn. You are better off hiring a specialist for this reasonably affordable task, to avoid climbing on a high ladder;
Clean the chimney before winter storms hit
Being still on the top of your house, think about cleaning the chimney. Call a professional cleaner to inspect and clean if needed the vents and flues from stuck soot;
Check heating systems
Inspect your heating systems once a year; the most suitable moment for this is right before the heating season. It's recommended to call a gas engineer to service your boiler, and other gas appliances and to balance your heating system, so you know your systems working properly, there are no carbon monoxide or gas leaks, and everything is working at their maximum efficiency during the cold months;
Inspect windows and doors
An often-overlooked issue is the cold air seeping into your home through poorly insulated windows. Ensure to insulate, seal, and re-caulk around all windows and doors, including those in winter gardens, to prevent drafts. This simple step will improve comfort and reduce your energy bills;
Trim trees and decorative bushes in the back garden
Being one of the most relaxing and favourite green oases in our homes, the backyard deserves proper care as we prepare for winter. Your must-do garden tasks include mowing the lawn, trimming the large trees to prevent breaking brunches, and bringing potted plants indoors or into your winter garden. All non-seasonal flowers that need warmer conditions should be kept inside your home or winter garden to protect them from the harsh winter weather.
Winter – Protection from the Harsh Conditions
Depending on where you live the winter can be very harsh or not. London winter conditions tend to be milder and not very snowy, however, you'd better follow this simple winter maintenance routine:
Insulate exposed plumbing
To prevent freezing of the pipes and any other potential issues in mid-winter, it’s crucial to insulate any exposed plumbing - around your garage, garden, sheds, etc. Make sure this is done before the first seriously cold spell, especially when temperatures are predicted to drop below zero degrees for a longer period;
Check for drafts and seal them
It's better to double-check instead of worrying in vain. Repeat what you did during autumn and check the seals around windows and doors for any new or missed drafts. Fix what you found to increase energy efficiency;
Clear snow and ice buildup
And while children may enjoy the heavy snow piled up in the garden, we need to be cautious about other risks, such as snow accumulating on the roof. Regularly clearing snow from roofs helps prevent broken tiles, damage to your roof, and ice dams. Additionally, keeping pathways clear can reduce the risk of slipping accidents;
Spring – Renewal and Preparation
Spring is the season of renewal, so make sure your home and outdoor spaces are prepared for the warmer months ahead. It's time to check if your efforts in proper home maintenance during winter are worth it.
Inspect roofing, gutters and cladding
One of the first tasks in spring is checking over and repairing the roof, gutters, and cladding after winter wear. You might need to replace broken tiles or clear the gutters;
Remove the insulation from exposed plumbing
Once the cold and minus temperatures are gone, it's time to uncover and check all exterior faucets for leaks or damage;
Revive your garden
It's time for your garden and flowers to be revived from the long winter hibernation. Put some gloves on and clean up the debris, prune back overgrown plants, and replant flowers where necessary. Consider adding fresh mulch to garden beds and applying fertilisers. After the winter, the soil is often depleted, and plants need extra nutrients to encourage healthy growth and blooms throughout the warmer months;
Another important gardening task includes checking your lawn irrigation system. During the upcoming summer months, you will use the garden irrigation system frequently, so test it for leaks and optimal efficiency.
Test and service HVAC systems
For those of you who have invested in air conditioning following the heatwaves of the last few summers, the end of spring is the perfect time for a second round-up check of your HVAC system. Call a specialist to diagnose these systems' condition and cooling efficiency;
Clean the dryer exhaust duct
During the cold winter months, we tend to use the dryer more frequently. This makes it essential to clean the lint buildup from the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and the space beneath the dryer to ensure maximum efficiency and reduce the risk of fire.
Summer – Focus on Outdoor Projects
Prepare the pool
If you are one of those lucky guys with an outdoor pool, the beginning of summer is the time to think about the preparation of the pool for the approaching summer heat we all hope for. Start with a thorough cleaning, checking the filtration system, water pump, and any chemical treatments to ensure everything is working efficiently;
Complete any exterior repair projects
It's the perfect time for home improvement tasks, especially out of the house. If you have any exterior refurbishment projects planned, make sure to complete them while the weather is still favourable for outdoor work. Clean wooden decks, outdoor furniture, and fences. Apply fresh paint during long, sunny days to ensure it dries faster and achieves the best results;
Take care of the interior design improvements and cleaning
During summer we tend to spend more of our free time outside. Whether in the pool or sitting around the barbecue in the backyard, we can forget about the interior home chores. However, the ultimate home improvement and seasonal home maintenance tasks include activities inside the house, too. Our advice is to keep your house in good condition every season. The summer is a suitable season to complete indoor home cleaning and some refurbishment tasks, such as:
Cleaning air conditioning units;
Washing of carpets and rugs;
Cleaning out or reorganising spaces like the garage, basements and storage rooms.
Tips for Effective Seasonal Home Maintenance
We have gathered some practical and valuable tips for more effective seasonal home maintenance.
Prioritise Safety First
Regularly check your home's electrical systems, carbon monoxide detectors and plumbing for any hidden issues;
Make sure you have fire extinguishers at key places of your home like around the fireplace, in the garage, etc. Except for only having them, they must be easily accessible and operable for any case.
Small Tasks, Big Impact
Don't panic and over-stress to do all tasks that need to be done at once. Learn how to identify the most critical and urgent ones, instead of diving into everything simultaneously. Prepare a checklist and put all items on this list ordered by priority. Remember that it’s more effective to break down one large, overwhelming task into smaller, manageable steps rather than trying to tackle all tasks at the same time.
Hire a Professional
Honestly speaking, home maintenance projects are not always easy. Most of the time they are time-consuming and require professional skills like cleaning the chimney, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, etc.
For any of those tasks, you can contact ProPure Design and get a free quote for the projects and activities from your seasonal house maintenance checklist.
Home Insurance
Extend the life of your house by completing regular seasonal checks and preservation actions. Addressing any issues in advance and taking care of them as soon as possible to prevent bigger issues is an important task. Doing all these means you are almost done with your home seasonal to-do list.
We would advise you to invest in comprehensive home insurance that will guarantee the safety and safety of your home and belongings in different risky situations and potential accidents.
Conclusion
Home maintenance can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time homeowners used to landlords handling repairs. However, it doesn't have to be difficult. By breaking tasks down into manageable monthly and seasonal checklists, you can stay ahead of issues and keep your home running smoothly. Following a consistent schedule helps prevent small problems from turning into big ones.
Remember that a central place in maintaining your home in top shape includes more upkeeping regular tasks and doesn't necessarily mean costly repairs.
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