Helpful 7-Day Home Maintenance Checklist

With the weather heating up, use this 7-day checklist for you and your family to get your home ready for the warmer weather. This quick checklist will help you hit on the main points on home maintenance.

At last, summer has finally come to drive away the winter winds. Summer brings high temperatures and sunny days, as well as driving rain, thunderstorms  and other hazards. Now is the perfect time of year to give your home the old once-over. This home maintenance checklist will help you prepare your house for summer and give you a chance to spot any damage that may have occurred over the winter. This will allow you to plan for home repairs while the weather is still good and before the damage can get worse.

Day 1: Filters, Vents, Fans and Detectors

The best time to get your HVAC serviced is in the early spring, before you need to crank on the A/C for the summer. A technician can clean out your A/C and examine it for faulty parts that may need to be replaced before they break down. By getting your A/C tuned up by a professional, you can avoid the headache of a sudden breakdown later in the summer, when temperatures are even higher.

Of course, you can probably handle changing your own A/C filters, and you should do it now, especially if it’s been more than three months since your last filter change. Make sure that your home’s vents are open and unblocked – closing vents in unused rooms can encourage mold to grow in your ducts. Finally, check that all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Dust your ceiling fans, and use a dryer sheet, duster or vacuum hose to clean your bathroom vent fans, too. 

Day 2: Gutters and Roof

Cleaning your gutters and checking your roof is an important house maintenance chore that should be done at least twice a year, in the spring and the fall. Your home’s gutter system keeps water from flowing behind your siding or accumulating around your foundation. A good day’s work should be sufficient to get up on a ladder and clean your gutters. While you’re up there, check your roof for missing or damaged shingles and check your gutters for gritty, black residue – a sign that your asphalt shingles are nearing the end of their useful life.

Day 3: Porch, Deck and Patio

Give your porch, patio or deck a good sweeping, then wash it clean with a power washer. Check your deck for any loose nails or rot, and spray some water on it to see if it needs to be re-sealed. If the water soaks in rather than beading up, the deck needs to be resealed. If weeds are coming up between patio paver stones, apply a long-lasting, anti-emergent herbicide.

If you’re doing any barbecuing, clean your charcoal grill with hot water and soap. Clean your gas grill by turning it up to high and letting it cook for about a half hour. Let it cool, then clean the grill with a grill brush and clean the drip trays with soap and water.

Day 4: Lawn and Garden

Weed and mulch beds, trim bushes and shrubs, and prune trees. Cut back any flora that has encroached on your A/C unit. Test your irrigation system and check your fence, if you have one, for signs that it needs to be repaired, resealed or repainted. Inspect outdoor play equipment for damage and safety concerns. Cut back any tree branches that hang over your roof.

Related articles: Lawn Care Tips for Maintaining your Lawn

Day 5: Windows, Doors and Siding

Check the caulk seal around your doors and windows, and replace caulk as needed. This will keep bugs out of your home, as well as help cut down on drafts. Check the outside of your home for rotted, loose or damaged siding, as well as for holes larger than an inch in diameter, which can provide small animals with access to areas like basements and crawl spaces.

Day 6: Driveway

Check your driveway for cracks or potholes and consider having it repaired and resealed. Make sure your outdoor trash bins are tightly sealed against pests.

Day 7: Basement and Attic

Go into your basement or crawl space to check for leaks or standing water, mold or mildew, or pests, such as termites. Look for signs of structural damage, such as rot.

In your attic, you should also look for signs of moisture, including leaks or holes in the roof, mildew, mold and water damage. You should also keep your eyes peeled for pests, including squirrels or bats that may have found their way into your home.

Your home is your sanctuary, and this summer maintenance checklist will help you stay comfortable and relaxed all season long. But if problems do occur, American Home Shield® can help. Don’t face unexpected repair costs on your own. Call today to get home warranty coverage for up to 23 major components of your home’s systems and appliances. 

If you’re already an AHS member, we’re here for you when you need us. You can request service in MyAccount 24/7.