Your Home Maintenance Calendar — Month by Month

One of the best things you can do for your home — and your wallet — is stay a little bit ahead of it. Not way ahead, not obsessively ahead. Just enough that small things don't quietly become expensive things.

Here's a month-by-month rhythm to work with. Think of it less like a chore list and more like a check-in with a house you're getting to know.

January & February — Get Cozy With the Cold

Winter is when your home works its hardest. A little attention now keeps heating bills reasonable and prevents the kind of damage that shows up as a nasty surprise in spring.

• Check any pipes in unheated spaces — garages, crawlspaces, exterior walls. Foam insulation sleeves run about $5–$10 and take minutes to install.
• Swap your HVAC filter if you haven't in 90 days. It's the single easiest thing you can do for your system's longevity.
• Run your hand along door and window frames. Feel a draft? Weather stripping is $10–$20 per door and makes a real difference on your energy bill.
• After any significant snow or ice, take a look at your roof from the ground. Ice dams — ridges of ice at the roof edge — can cause water to back up under shingles. Good to catch early.

March & April — The Spring Walkthrough

Winter is rough on homes. Once the weather breaks, walk the full exterior with fresh eyes. You're not looking for anything in particular — just noticing what winter left behind.

• Check the foundation for new cracks or changes. Minor hairline cracks are usually fine. Anything wider than a credit card is worth a closer look.
• Clean gutters — they're likely full of fall and winter debris, and clogged gutters cause water to back up against your roof and foundation.
• Turn on your AC and run it for a few minutes. Way better to find out it needs attention now than in July.
• Look at your siding, caulking, and exterior trim. Any gaps or peeling are an open invitation for moisture and pests.
• If you have a sump pump, test it by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. Make sure it kicks on.

May & June — Pre-Summer Prep

• Clean your dryer vent — not just the lint trap, the full duct leading outside. This is a genuine fire hazard when neglected and something a lot of homeowners forget about. A dryer vent brush kit runs about $15–$25.
• Check outdoor faucets and any irrigation systems for leaks or damage from the winter.
• Look at your window screens. Tears mean bugs. Screen repair tape is $5 and takes two minutes.
• Peek in the attic if you can. You're looking for signs of moisture, pests, or anything that crept in over winter.

July & August — Peak Season Check-In

Your HVAC is running hard. A little attention keeps it from giving out at the worst possible moment.

• Replace your HVAC filter again — summer is peak season for your system.
• Check your AC's condensate drain line. It's a small tube that carries moisture away from the unit, and it clogs with algae. A clogged line causes water damage. A splash of distilled vinegar keeps it clear.
• Inspect caulking around tubs, showers, and windows. Summer humidity accelerates caulk breakdown.
• Test smoke and CO detectors. Change batteries if it's been six months.

September & October — The Most Important Season

Fall prep is the highest-return maintenance season. Everything you do now is an investment in a drama-free winter.

• Clean gutters after leaves fall — not before, or you'll just do it twice.
• Drain and shut off exterior faucets before the first freeze. A burst outdoor pipe is a bad day.
• Have your furnace or heating system serviced. An annual tune-up runs $80–$150 and extends the life of a system that costs $5,000–$12,000 to replace.
• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, get the chimney swept before you use it. Creosote buildup is a fire hazard. Chimney sweeps run $100–$250.
• Seal any gaps around your foundation, utility penetrations, or exterior trim where pests might enter for winter.

November & December — Settle In

• Insulate any exposed pipes in unheated spaces if you haven't already.
• Review your homeowner's insurance policy. Does the coverage amount reflect what it would actually cost to rebuild your home today? Rebuilding costs have increased significantly in recent years.
• Stock an emergency kit somewhere accessible — flashlight, batteries, a few days of water, basic tools. Not paranoid, just prepared.
• Take a breath. You've made it through a full year. Your house is lucky to have someone paying attention.

Estimated Annual Maintenance Costs