Keep Your Home in Top Form

As a homeowner, you quickly find out that very few of your home’s features are maintenance free. Proper care of your house will keep you safe and comfortable for years to come. Here is a basic list from the American Association of Retired Persons to help you create a maintenance plan for your house.

Monthly
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Check gauges on fire extinguishers.
Test and reset any GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets.

Every six months

Check for leaks at each faucet and under each sink.
Inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers.
Clean refrigerator coils and inspect the drain pan.
Drain three or four gallons from the water heater to prevent sediment build-up.
Clean roof gutters in spring and fall.
Trim shrubs and trees so they don’t obstruct walkways or touch the foundation, roof or walls of your house.
Clean leaves and trash from under decks and porches, in window wells and around exterior drains.
Clean ceiling-fan blades.
Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Once a year

Make sure toilets are securely anchored and don’t leak.
Inspect for insects and rodents.
Have a licensed roofer inspect gutters, downspouts, roofing and flashing.
Have a professional inspect the heating/cooling system.
Have a professional inspect flues of wood-burning fireplaces and stoves and have them cleaned if necessary.
Check tile grout and replace or reseal as needed.
Make certain interior and exterior handrails are secure.
Check steps, making certain that treads are solid.
Check weather stripping and seals around doors and windows.
Inspect glass for loose putty, cracked panes and cloudy glass in insulating windows.
Inspect screens in windows and doors.
Check exterior paint and caulking.
Check exterior masonry for cracking or loose mortar.

American Association of Retired Persons
aarp.org