Yearly Home Maintenance Schedule

for do-self repairs

YEARLY HOME MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

The following is HRRC’s suggested schedule for home maintenance inspections and repairs:

SPRING (April - June)  Drain off sediment from hot water tank and steam heating system.  Clean gutters; make sure they are flowing properly.  Add copper sulfate to basement floor drain and downspout drains to control  Inspect roof for damaged shingles. tree roots in main sewer.

 Check flashing, and re-seal as needed. SUMMER (July - August):

 Renail any loose siding or trim  Scrape, prime, and paint any areas boards. on house or garage that are in need, especially any bare wood. (Note:  Check house and garage for any Observe precautions for reducing rotting wood, and repair as needed. exposure to lead-based paint.)

 Check porch flooring, and repair as  If the house or garage doesn't need needed. paint, wash exterior off at least once.

 Check and replace any bad caulking  Look for visible signs of carpenter ants, around windows, doors, siding joints, termites, or any other destructive insects. or anywhere else needed.  Check all flat roofs, and recoat or seal  Scrape loose window glazing, and as needed, especially flashing. replace as needed.  Check for mortar that needs repair  Clean windows and their frames (including chimney mortar and inside when installing screens. Wash fireplace,) and tuckpoint or repair as and repair screens at this time. needed.

 Check caulk or seal between house  Check concrete drive, sidewalks, patios, and drive, and repair as needed. and landings for condition and level; patch cracks, level, and/or replace, as  Oil garage door tracks. needed.

 Trim trees, bushes, and shrubs.  Clean carpets and wax tile and (Wait until spring-flowering shrubs hardwood floors. have finished blooming.)  Add copper sulfate to basement floor  Clean flower beds out around the drain and downspout drains to control house. tree roots in main sewe

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FALL (September - October):  Have chimney cleaned (yearly, if wood burning; every 5 years if just  Patch and seal driveway (asphalt for gas appliances.) or concrete), and concrete steps/ landings.  Check damper in fireplace for obstructions, such as birds' nests.  Check tuckpointing on all brick areas, then seal masonry with a silicone  Drain off sediment from hot water sealant. tank and steam heating system.

 Check weatherstripping on all  Add copper sulfate to basement floor doors and windows, and repair as drain and downspout drains to control needed. tree roots in main sewer.

 Check all areas that need to be WINTER (November - March): caulked, and repair as needed.  At beginning of winter, shut off  Make sure all garage floor or interior valves supplying outdoor driveway drains are flowing water pipes to prevent them from properly. freezing.

 Clear gutters of leaves, check for  Change furnace filters monthly. leaks, and repair as needed.  Repair any interior wall damage;  Inspect roof for loose or missing touch up or repaint as needed. shingles, and check flashing seals; repair as needed.  Check and re-grout tile in all bath and kitchen areas, as needed, and  Clean and reseal decks, fences, apply a silicone sealer. or other structures made of pressure-treated wood.  Add copper sulfate to basement floor drain and downspout drains to control  Oil garage door tracks. tree roots in main sewer.

 Prune bushes, trees, and shrubs  Develop plan for next summer's home (except spring-flowering shrubs.) improvements.

 Have furnace checked or tuned up,  At winter’s end, re-open interior valves and change filter; have boiler checked supplying outdoor water pipes. every few years (every year if boiler is more than 20 years old.