Home maintenance checklist by month: a printable plan for the whole year

Most home repairs that cost thousands start as a ten-minute task someone forgot. This checklist spreads the work across the year so no month is overwhelming. Use your browser's print option to keep a paper copy, or let an app schedule each task for your own equipment and climate.

Every month

• Check or change your HVAC air filter. Standard 1-inch filters usually need replacing every 1 to 3 months. See how often to change your air filter.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with the test button. See what to do when a smoke detector chirps.
• Clean the range hood filter and the dishwasher filter.
• Run water in unused sinks and showers to keep drain traps full.

Month by month

Month	Tasks
January	Check for ice dams and drafts; vacuum refrigerator coils; inspect the water heater for leaks
February	Test the sump pump before the spring thaw; check caulk around tubs and showers
March	Flush the water heater; inspect the roof and attic after winter storms; check the basement for moisture
April	Clean gutters and downspouts; schedule the AC tune-up; test outdoor faucets and irrigation
May	Clean window screens; inspect the deck and fence; service the lawn mower
June	Clean the dryer vent; check exterior paint and siding; trim plants away from the AC unit
July	Hose off the outdoor AC coil; check for pests and termites; clean ceiling fan blades
August	Inspect the roof before storm season; check weatherstripping; review your hurricane or wildfire plan if relevant
September	Schedule the furnace or heat pump service; book the chimney sweep; check the attic insulation
October	Clean gutters again after leaves fall; drain and store garden hoses; replace smoke alarm batteries if not sealed
November	Winterize exterior faucets and irrigation; reverse ceiling fans; see the winterizing checklist
December	Check for frozen pipes in unheated spaces; inspect holiday lights and extension cords; review the year's records

Spring checklist (March to May)

1. Roof and gutters: look for missing shingles, flashing damage and clogged downspouts.
2. Cooling system: book an AC or heat pump tune-up before the first heat wave, when contractors are busiest.
3. Water: flush the water heater to remove sediment, test the sump pump and check outdoor faucets for leaks.
4. Outside: clean window screens, inspect the deck, and grade soil away from the foundation.

Fall checklist (September to November)

1. Heating system: service the furnace, boiler or heat pump and change the filter.
2. Chimney: have it inspected and swept if you burn wood.
3. Gutters: clean them once most leaves have fallen.
4. Freeze protection: shut off and drain exterior faucets, blow out irrigation lines, and insulate exposed pipes.
5. Safety: test every smoke and CO alarm and replace batteries that are not sealed.

Every year, whatever the season

• Have a licensed technician service your heating and cooling equipment.
• Clean the full dryer vent run, not just the lint screen.
• Check the age of your smoke alarms (replace after 10 years) and CO alarms (follow the manufacturer, often 5 to 10 years).
• Inspect the water heater's anode rod every few years.
• Keep every receipt and service report. Insurers and buyers ask for them.

Adapt the checklist to your home

A generic checklist is a starting point. A home in Phoenix and one in Minneapolis do not need the same plan, and a heat pump does not need the same care as a gas furnace. Note the brand, model and age of each system, and adjust the frequency to what the manufacturer recommends and to your climate.