We all treasure our homes and wish to keep them in top-notch condition. But achieving this calls for a consistent, seasonal approach. This means cleaning and caring for your home’s exterior and surrounding landscape throughout the year.
So, how do you make sure your home shines year-round? The secret is a checklist, a seasonal one that leaves no stone unturned. And guess what? We’ve got just the blueprint you need right here.
Autumn: Embrace the Warmth and Colour
Autumn, with its cool winds and vibrant hues, paints a beautiful picture. Why not ensure your home mirrors this captivating charm? Here’s your autumn home maintenance checklist:
- Rain Gutter Clean-Up: Autumn brings a cascade of falling leaves, filling up your rain gutters and attracting insects thriving on dried foliage. Regular gutter cleaning, preferably once a week or every other week, can avert this pest problem and keep your roof untroubled.
- Service Your Gas Range and Stovetop: Gas pipe blockages or leaks can result in severe accidents. It’s crucial to get your gas range and stovetop serviced regularly by professionals. However, you can contribute by keeping the stovetop clean and regularly removing dust and debris from the surrounding areas.
- Fireplace and Chimney Clean-Up: Uncapped chimneys can turn into homes for bird nests. If this is the case, you’ll need professional help to safely remove and relocate the nests. Meanwhile, clean your fireplace and consider getting your chimney capped until the next use.
- Regular Leaf Raking: The abundance of falling leaves in autumn calls for frequent raking of your yard, typically once a week. You may use a leaf blower to clear away dried leaves, but if you prefer manual methods, a traditional rake will do the job.
- Water Heater and Furnace Servicing: Be prepared for winter or unexpected cold snaps by ensuring your heating system and water heaters are in optimal condition. A professional HVAC technician can service these units comprehensively, identifying and rectifying any faults, if present.
Winter: Brr, It’s Cold In Here
Ah, winter. A season that brings relief from the sweltering heat and offers the chance to snuggle up by the fireplace with a cup of steaming hot chocolate. Depending on where you live, your home’s maintenance needs will vary. However, some tasks are universal for wintertime upkeep. Let’s have a look:
- Keep an Eye on Your Water Pipes: Freezing pipes can wreak havoc if left unchecked. If you’re planning a long holiday, it might be wise to ask a friend to pop in and give your water pipes a quick check.
- Check for Dampness on Walls and Ceilings: Melted snow or rain can seep through hidden cracks or clogged gutters, causing damp spots on your walls or ceiling. If you spot any signs of dampness, call in a professional right away.
- Clean Gutters and Downspout: To prevent any damage to your home’s roof or foundation, ensure your gutters are clean and your downspout is clear.
- Ventilate Your House: During the winter, indoor air can become stale and musty. Regular ventilation is an excellent way to bring in fresh air and keep your home smelling fresh.
- Pest Inspection: Cold weather drives pests indoors. Keep an eye out for any signs of an infestation and call in pest control if needed.
- Check Your Refrigerator Temperature: If your fridge seems to be overcooling or frosting up, it might be time to adjust the settings or call in a professional.
- Test Your Smoke Detectors: Ensure your smoke and carbon
- monoxide detectors are in good working order, especially if you’re using heating systems or a fireplace.
- Maintain Your Property: Outdoor maintenance is crucial, even in winter. Whether it’s raking leaves or shovelling snow, regular maintenance is better than dealing with a big mess later.
Spring: Time for a Spring Clean
Spring cleaning is a time-honoured tradition, but it’s also an ideal time for some home maintenance. Don’t overlook these essential tasks:
- Touch Up Chipped Paint: If you discover any chips or flaking paint while spring cleaning, now’s the time to touch them up.
- Drain and Clean Your Water Heater: If you won’t be using your water heater much in the spring, it’s a good time to drain it and clean out any sediment and debris.
- Inspect Your Basement and Attic: Spring cleaning is a great opportunity for a thorough inspection of your basement and attic. Look out for signs of mould or dampness.
- Clean and Service Your Dehumidifiers: Over time, your dehumidifiers can accumulate dust and debris. Give them a clean and replace the filters as needed.
- Service Your Air Conditioner: Your air conditioner has likely gathered dust over the winter months, which can lead to poor performance and potential health issues. A spring clean and service are essential.
- Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposal and Dishwasher: While you’re in the mood for spring cleaning, don’t forget your garbage disposal and dishwasher. Regular cleaning keeps them running smoothly and helps maintain a hygienic kitchen.
- Tend to Your Garden: With the arrival of spring, it’s time to deal with dried leaves and unwanted weeds. Trim hedges and bushes, mow the lawn, and fertilise your plants to maintain a beautiful and healthy garden.
Summer
Ah, summer, the season of sun, fun, and ice-cold beverages. And don’t forget the looming spectre of the Christmas clean. However, as temperatures soar, many households unwittingly overwork certain appliances. Moreover, the scorching heat can cause damage to your home’s interior and exterior. Therefore, summer home maintenance is not just nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. Here’s what you need to focus on when the mercury rises:
- Service your air conditioners: As your cooling system puts in extra hours in the summer, it’s important to get it serviced by a skilled HVAC technician. The servicing should include cleaning or replacing air filters, cleaning the condenser coil, inspecting the drainage system for leaks or damage, and other essential upkeep to keep your AC humming all season long. To prevent overusing your AC, remember to turn it off if you’re going to be out of the room for an extended period.
- Inspect your plumbing fixtures: The intense summer sun can cause cracks in your external pipes. It’s crucial to thoroughly check your indoor and outdoor plumbing for any issues. Keep an eye out for any water drips under sinks and around valves. If you spot any leaks, call a plumber pronto before the situation gets out of hand.
- Eliminate mould: The humid conditions of summer can promote mould growth in areas like bathrooms, basements, attics, and garages. The fungus is not only unsightly, but it can also trigger allergies and respiratory issues. So, summer is the perfect time to give your basement, attic, and garage a good clean. If you’re dealing with a severe mould infestation, it’s best to call in a professional for safe removal.
- Maintain your fridge: Depending on how brutal the summer is in your region, you may need to adjust your fridge and freezer’s temperatures. And with your fridge working overtime to keep
- your food fresh, it’s your job to keep it in peak condition. Vacuuming the coils to remove dust and dirt, which can impair the fridge’s performance, is a good start. Regular servicing and cleaning of your refrigerator also play a key role in prolonging the appliance’s lifespan.
- Inspect your air vents: Dust, debris, and even insects and vermin could be lurking in your air ducts. This not only creates a mess inside the ducts but also restricts airflow. Plus, dirty vents can compromise your indoor air quality, potentially leading to various health problems. If you’d rather not roll up your sleeves, consider hiring a professional for the task.
- Check your washing machine: With more laundry to do in the summer, your washer needs a thorough clean. In addition, inspect the pipes and electrical components for any damage. It’s wise to have your washer serviced by a professional before any minor issues turn major.
- Check your fire extinguisher: A working fire extinguisher is crucial, especially when heatwaves elevate the risk of fires. Inspect your fire extinguisher to make sure it’s in working order, and replace or refill it as needed.
With this comprehensive guide to seasonal home maintenance, your house will remain in peak condition all year round.