To keep your home running smoothly, pay attention to the following tasks. As with cleaning the home, it helps to do a little at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed.
MONTHLY
□Remove any clogs and debris from gutters.
□Test your garage door’s auto-reverse feature—especially important if you have kids or pets.
□Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; change batteries twice a year and as needed. Replace any detectors past their expiration date, noted on the back. (Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years; carbon monoxide detectors, every 5 to 7 years.)
QUARTERLY
□Replace HVAC filters to reduce your home’s dust and allergen load; consider having a regular delivery service to ease this effort.
□Make sure fire extinguishers are easy to reach (and make sure everyone knows where these are kept and how to use them) and undamaged; the gauge should also show adequate pressure.
□Check furnace filters; replace as needed.
□Replace flashlight batteries; keep a flashlight near the circuit breakers, too.
biannually
□Test water heater’s pressure-relief valve to check for mineral and sediment buildup and safeguard against leaks (following instructions in the owner’s manual).
□Vacuum refrigerator unit’s coils.
annually
□Inspect plumbing pipe threads for leaks; seal with plumber’s tape or call in a pro.
□Test your water (using strips from a home-improvement store); hard water can increase the chance of scale buildup in the water heater, so install a water softener.
Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst—leading to substantial property damage and lengthy, costly repairs. Fortunately, there are simple steps to take to keep this occurrence from wreaking havoc in your own home.