Let’s face it: We all made New Year’s resolutions that we’d like to stick to, but life gets in the way sometimes. Getting to the gym during the work week can be a hassle, staying on a clean diet gets boring and not watching television leaves you out of the loop at Sunday brunch. These aren’t excuses; it’s just how life works. However, one resolution you should stick to (no matter how much life gets in the way) is performing maintenance on your home.
Yes, we’re talking about tackling that to-do list collecting dust. To make your job easier, we’ll break it down month-by-month. Here is Warner Service’s New Year, new home checklist:
January:
- Change the furnace filters
- Knock off icicles around your home
- Tighten any loose knobs or handles on doors
- Deep clean the basement
- Vacuum the refrigerator coils
- Flush toilets that aren’t used often
- Add salt to the water softener
February:
- Wash curtains and drapes
- Re-caulk showers, bathtubs and windows
- Repair any holes in the walls; repaint
March:
- Inspect roofing for leaks and missing, broken or cracked shingles
- Test the outdoor draining system
- Prep for summer by scheduling a maintenance check-up for the air conditioning system
- Repair or replace window and door screens
- Flush the hot water heater and remove debris
April:
- Clean gutters by carefully removing leaves, debris and metal objects
- Remove dead plants and shrubs from around the house; mulch over the gardens
- Clean out the window wells of debris, dirt and dust
May:
- Schedule a septic tank check-up
- Inspect and clean the outdoor lighting; replace lightbulbs, if necessary
- Repair or replace any loose or missing siding
- Trim back bushes, trees and shrubs
- Apply fertilizer to the lawns
June:
- Remove lint from the dryer’s master exhaust vent
- Check grout and tiling in the bathrooms, kitchen and basement
- Power-wash the home’s exterior
- Clean and organize the garage
- Schedule a plumbing check-up
July:
- Clean range hood fan
- Maintain yard growth through fertilizing and mowing
August:
- Inspect the basement and crawl spaces for moisture and leaks
- Schedule a paint job for the driveway
- Spray insect repellent in the corners of walls
- Repair the deck
September:
- Winterize the air conditioning system
- Prep for winter by scheduling a heat system maintenance check-up
- Check and repair weatherstripping on windows and doors, especially those leading to the outside
- Apply a last coat of fertilizer to the lawns
October:
- Test the sump pump
- Rake the leaves and clean debris from around the gutters and downspouts
- Cover and store away outdoor furniture and grills
- Clean and inspect the chimney
November:
- Deep clean the carpets
- Check the fire extinguisher
- Clean the kitchen stove’s exhaust hood and filter
- Oil up the garage door tracks
December:
- Remove showerheads to clean sediment
- Inspect washing machine, dishwasher and icemaker hoses for leaks
- Check sinks and toilet pipes for leaks
There are some chores that require monthly maintenance, such as checking the carbon dioxide and smoke detectors (changing the batteries, if necessary) and cleaning the kitchen garbage disposal with a concoction of baking soda, ice and lemon. Then, there are seasonal chores like scheduling maintenance check-ups for appliances that will soon get a lot of use and doing outdoor jobs to prep for the weather.
Tackling your home to-do list one month at a time, with a few chores at a time, makes for a New Year’s resolution that’s easy to stick with. You still shouldn’t skip out on the gym, healthy meals or a little "You Time" now and then, but keeping up with home maintenance will save you money and stress in the long run. Maybe even an entire year.
To schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact Warner Service today.
