5 Monthly Home Maintenance Calendar Jobs that will Save You Money

As a home owner, you know how expensive home repairs can be.  Some of the bigger ones can cost 10′s of thousands of dollars.  But what if I could show you a way these costs could be greatly reduced?  Even if you think you do not have any do it yourself skills?

 

Later in this article, you will see how easy this is by using a Home Maintenance Calendar.

Most “major” home repairs are the result of poor or deferred maintenance.  So, by performing regular maintenance on your home, you are going to be able to reduce your repair costs dramatically.

Now, I know what you are thinking.  You don’t think you have time to perform routine maintenance.  Or, you are thinking you do not have the skills.  But stick with me for a moment; we have made this very easy for you.

If there are items in this home maintenance calendar that you do not understand, give us a call and we will walk you through it.  But, after you have gone through it once, you will have established a habit that will help keep you free of major problems for years to come.

Here is a simple home maintenance calendar with 5 things you can do every month.  They are an easy weekend project.  But they can be done any day or days of the month that you want.

January

1.       Get Air-conditioning System Cleaned and Serviced.

2.       Test Smoke Alarm.

3.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

4.       Look for signs of insect or other pests entering your home.  Consider an exterminator, or use poisoned baits.

5.       Clean ceiling fan.

February

1.       Change Smoke Alarm Batteries.

2.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

3.       Ensure that water is draining away from your home, not towards it.  This includes checking the slope of the land as well as ensuring all drains and drainage ditches are functioning as expected.

4.       Wash your windows, make sure your tracks are cleaned and oiled.  Ensure drainage holes are clear of any “stuff” that may block proper drainage.

5.       Make sure your dryer vent, range hood, or any other ventilation systems in your home are clear and venting to the outside.

March

1.       Get Air-conditioning System Cleaned and Serviced.

2.       Test Smoke Alarm.

3.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

4.       Ensure there are no plants growing and touching the exterior of your home.

5.       Make sure your roof has no leaks.  Look at your roofing tiles, and ensure flashing is installed and working as expected.  Head into your attic and look up.  Make sure you don’t see any daylight.

 

April

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Change Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries.

3.       If you have any gutters or downspouts, ensure they are clear of leaves, dirt or other materials.

4.       Inspect flashing around roof for damage.

5.       Inspect exterior grout for obvious damage.  This will be your last chance to fix it before the big rains start.

May

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

3.       Clean Smoke Detectors.  Vacuum them out and make sure they are free of lint and dust.

4.      Remove water supply hoses from washing machine (Remember to turn off the water first).  Make sure the washers are in good shape, and the hoses are not damaged.

5.       Verify that any unused drain traps contain water.  This could include traps in the basement, or in an unused “service” shower.

June

1.       Get Air-conditioning System Cleaned and Serviced.

2.       Test Smoke Alarm Batteries.

3.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

4.       Look for any leaking windows or doors.  By now, if they are leaking, Panama will have seen enough rain that you will know about it.  Repair these promptly.

5.       Soak your shower heads and aerators in vinegar or “CLR” to remove mineral deposits and get them working like new.

July

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

3.       Look at all of your caulking and make any necessary repairs.

4.       If you have a water tank instead of an on demand water heater, drain it, fill with water, and repeat until the water runs clear.

5.       Test pressure and temperature.

August

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

3.       Look for leaks in your faucets.  Every drip can end up costing you money.

4.       Defrost your refrigerator.  This usually involves emptying it and unplugging it for a day or two.

5.       While defrosting, clean the coils on the back, and underneath and behind your refrigerator.

September

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Get Air-conditioning System Cleaned and Serviced.

3.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

4.       Clean all lint from your dryer vent.

5.       Clean the filter in your range vent, and clean the grease from underneath.

October

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Change Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries.

3.       Make any needed repairs to the grout in your bathroom and kitchen to prevent moisture from getting into your floors and walls.

4.       Replace water filter on fridge.

5.       Repair loose handrails on stairs or balconies.

November

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

3.       Clean Smoke Detectors.

4.       Lubricate locks on doors and windows.

5.       Inspect the grouting and caulking around the sinks and showers in your kitchen and bathrooms.

December

1.       Test Smoke Alarm.

2.       Test Carbon Monoxide Detector.

3.       Now that rainy season is ending, look at the drainage around your home to ensure that water is still draining away from your foundation.

4.       Determine how well your driveways, slabs and sidewalks survived the rain.  Look for cracks and other damage and repair as necessary.

5.       Make sure that all of your GFI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are functioning.  These can be found in the baños, kitchens and on your porch or other outdoor receptacles.

By using the home maintenance calendar defined above, you are taking a big step towards protecting your biggest investment.  And more importantly protecting your family.  None of these jobs take very long if you do them on the schedule prescribed.

Keep in mind, that this calendar is just a starting point.  You may find there are other items that you want to add.  Feel free.  Just make sure they are written down, or you will not find time to actually do them.

Before beginning on the above jobs, go out and buy a notebook or 3 ring binder.   You might even have one already.  Print off the schedule and attach it to the first couple of pages.

Then, in your notebook, create a section for all of your appliances and write down any information you might need.  Things like make, model, sizes, etc.  This will make it much easier for you to actually perform the jobs listed.

For example, writing down your air-conditioning model will allow you to easily purchase a new filter when needed.  Also write down the purchase date and warrantee period.

A safe and well maintained home is a happy home.  By using this home maintenance calendar every month, you are well on your way to ensuring that yours stays that way.