Keeping any home or property in top condition takes some serious work. So many nooks and crannies get clogged up by seasonal debris or stop working in the harsh grips of winter. Sometimes, taking care of your home means doing something simple, like, changing the air filters or batteries in the smoke detectors. At other times, you might just need to be a bit laborious and check the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system or make sure the plumbing system is in order.
In this blog post, we’ll give you a checklist of home maintenance tips for every seasonal variation Christchurch goes through. The list is going to be a mix of DIY tips and non-DIY tips (i.e., when you should be calling a professional). Let’s go!
General List of Monthly Home Maintenance Tasks
1. Inspect and clean refrigerator door seals
The rubber seals on your refrigerator doors and freezer are essential as they help maintain the evenness of the temperature inside. So, when the doors aren’t sealed, your refrigerator's compressor will overwork itself to keep the temperature low.
Keeping your door seals clean will save power usage and increase your refrigerator's longevity. When cleaning the fridge, use a sponge, warm water, and a drop of dish soap to scrub thoroughly.
2. Vacuum the rugs
Dirty carpets can bring down the overall appeal of your home’s interiors. Worse, owing to dirt’s abrasiveness (power to cause damage and tear), walking on a dirty rug rubs filth into its fibres, which means frequent carpet cleaning. Vacuuming regularly-used carpets (especially in higher footfall areas) can help to extend their lifespan.
3. Clean drains
You should check the drains in your shower, kitchen, and bathrooms every month to avoid unexpected plumbing clogging and repair bills. Gutters can often get clogged with debris, food particles, or hair if they aren't cleaned on a regular basis. If you need help with cleaning drains, you can contact our house-washing experts in Christchurch today!
4. Change your filters
If you don't do this, your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system will not function to its full potential. It’s also a good idea to change those filters on a regular basis. Additionally, check and replace the furnace filter and remove the specks of dust that have been building up over time.
Especially during the colder months, it's crucial to change your furnace and air filters as necessary. In Christchurch, a house-washing expert can help you with that kind of information.
5. Clean the dishwasher screen
If you’re someone who uses a dishwasher often, then make sure to check if it has a filter screen under the spray arm at the bottom. If so, then maintaining its cleanliness is essential. When food particles get washed away from the screen, it creates a sticky sludge formation, becoming difficult to rinse away. You should refer to the instruction manual for cleaning instructions.
6. An empty basement dehumidifier
The dehumidifier in your basement needs to have its reservoir cleared out on a regular basis. You may need to empty your basement more frequently than once a month, depending on your climate and how wet it is. If it's overflowing, get rid of it.
7. Clean kitchen bins
The bottom of your trash can or recycling bin is often filled with food and liquid. If this isn't taken care of, it can turn into a foul-smelling sludge that attracts vermin. Keeping your trash and recycling bins clean on a regular basis will help you avoid this.
Home maintenance checklist for spring
When winter is approaching its end, nature seems to take on a different shape. Trees and plants are soon filled with fresh buds, and in a matter of a few days (and maybe weeks), they’re fully covered with beautiful greens and vibrant flowers.
During this phase, those of us who’ve been procrastinating the whole winter may decide it’s time for a little spring cleaning! Here’s the list that people, ideally, choose to stick with:
Drain cleaning (and how to go about it)!
Here’s a tip: try pouring hot water down your garbage disposal drain. Next, pour about 1.5 cups of baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. While you wait, mix together a cup of vinegar with one cup of hot water. Dump that mixture down the drain. If you want to, cover the disposal drain with a lid. Give it 10 to 15 minutes to sit. After that, pour another pot of boiling water down the drain to flush the pipes.
Drain the hot water heater
Clean out the bottom of your hot water heater by letting all the water out. Doing this regularly will make your water heater last longer, which could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Test each smoke and carbon monoxide detector
It’s always best to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once every three months, if not more. This should be checked every season.
Inspect windows and doors
Take off any previously-installed weatherproofing layers. Check your locks and latches. Make sure to check the windows and panes to see if they need replacements.
Check the basement conditions
Check your basement for leaks or other damp spots, as well as your basement dehumidifier. Fill in any holes or leaks you find.
Service HVAC
You can make your home’s HVAC system last longer by keeping regular professional check-ups. Call your professional service provider, especially if you think it’s not working correctly!
Home maintenance checklist for summer
Examine the pipework
Look around the entire house for any signs of plumbing leakage and check the pipes under the sinks (bathroom, kitchen, etc.).
Look for stains or other signs of water damage on the ceilings, and use the toilets to ensure that they are operating correctly.
All the leaking washers should be replaced ASAP. So make sure that you check your showerheads and faucets for leaks and drips. Showerheads and faucet aerators should be cleaned regularly to remove mineral deposits. Check the caulk in your showers, sinks, and bathtubs, and either repair it or apply a new caulk if needed.
Last but not least, put your water heater's temperature-pressure relief valve through its paces.
Vacuuming refrigerator coils
Before you begin checking, make sure the refrigerator is unplugged. Cleaning the coils with a vacuum will save you money on your energy bills because dusty and dirty coils will prevent your refrigerator from functioning at its optimal level.
Maintain a clean fireplace and chimney
Alternatively, you could arrange for a chimney sweep. Occasionally chimney swifts will lodge in your chimney during the fall. We recommend that you inspect your chimney carefully first, to avoid disturbing the nest before removal.
Examine the fire extinguishers for any issues
There is a time limit on how effective our fire extinguishers remain. You should perform annual inspections to ensure that your fire extinguishers are in good working condition.
If an extinguisher is reaching its expiration date, you should replace it asap. The fire department in your area is the best place to enquire about fire extinguishers and get answers to your questions.
Clean the dryer vent
Lint reduces your dryer's efficiency and energy bill. Excessive lint buildup is a leading cause of house fires. We recommend that you begin by vacuuming the dryer's cabinet. To remove the access panel, consult the manual and clean the vent. You can do this yourself or hire a pro. Disconnect the dryer's vent and use a vacuum to remove lint, or feed a dryer bush from the outside into the house.
Replace the detector batteries
Test the smoke and CO detectors quarterly. Replace detector batteries before the summer solstice.
Cleaning the doors and windows
If you have power-washed your house in the spring, you probably won't need to do it again any time soon. However, if you feel your glass is getting a bit dirty, both windows and doors can be cleaned using common household cleaners, hot water and a gentle brush or sponge.
Termite damage inspection
Home termite inspections are easy. Tap walls, windowsills, and baseboards. If you hear a hollow, flat sound, this may indicate a termite nest. Call in a pro to get a second opinion or start extermination.
Garden and yard maintenance
Water, mow, aerate, and weed your garden and plants. As needed, sweep patios and decks.
Fall home maintenance checklist
Test smoke and CO detectors
Test your smoke and CO detectors monthly. If not every month, you’ll need to do it every three months.
Leaf-rake
Falling leaves usually signal the arrival of the autumn season. During this period, you should clean the basement windows every month or as necessary. Keep a check on the gutters, too, to prevent clogging.
And, before the seasons change, make sure to test your leaf and snow blowers!
Furnace/heater service
Check your furnace or heater before winter. You can also consult the brand’s furnace and heater troubleshooting guide if you're having problems or seek professional help.
Window and door inspection
Check your home’s locks and latches. Replace any broken windows or panes. Storm doors should replace screen doors. Install weather stripping on your windows and doors to save energy and keep your home warmer in the winter.
Rodent and pest control
Pests seek shelter indoors when it's cold. Take precautions to keep pests out.
Appliance tests
Check the stove and oven. If your range's ignition or burner prongs aren't working, clean them. Take a look at your oven and microwave and get them in working order.
Maintain outdoor areas
Take care of your lawn and plants, and prepare your garden for the winter. As needed, sweep patios and decks. Drain, clean, and cover your pool for the winter. Drain sprinklers and other exterior plumbing before the first freeze and turn off the water.
Have your chimney capped
If you have a swift chimney stay at your chimney during the summer or the fall season, you must wait until they leave to clean and cap your chimney.
Winter home checklist
Before the year’s winter is upon us, make sure you check the following things;
1. Vacuum refrigerator coils
Unplug the appliance. Dusty and dirty coils reduce your refrigerator's cooling ability and increase energy costs.
2. Fix the water heater
Check your water heater's relief valve and settings. Find out how to adjust the temperature of your water heater.
3. Replace the detector's batteries
Do a quarterly check of smoke and CO alarms. Replace detector batteries before the winter solstice.
4. Inspect the basement
Look for basement leaks and dampness. Fix leaks. Clean your dehumidifier.
5. Maintain outdoor areas
Clear leaves, snow, pathways, and patios. Clean gutters, drain pipes, and basement window wells.
6. Preventing ice buildup in pipes
Set faucets to drip if you are travelling or worried about frozen pipes. Keep your thermostat above 13℃ when travelling.
Before we end
This blog is meant to act as a near-exhaustive list of home maintenance checklists, one for each season. Feel free to return to this blog post if you need help recalling anything you might have missed in your cleaning habits. For cleaning, power, or pressure washing jobs during any time of the year, you can contact our house washing experts in Christchurch today!