Home Maintenance Tips                
Outdoor Items   |   Indoor Items

These suggestions should help you preserve and increase the value of your home. The list looks long, but most items take only a few minutes. Regular maintenance is easy if you plan to do a few items each week. Good maintenance will save you time and expense by preventing small problems from becoming emergency service calls or major replacements.

Outdoor Items

Yard and Grounds Schedule
1. Fill in low areas around the foundation so water will drain away from
    the house.
Spring
2. Remove small trees and seedlings growing along foundation (also
    around garage).
Fall
3. Patch worn sections of driveways and coat asphalt with sealer.
Fall
4. Check all steps, sidewalks and railings, repair if needed.
Spring
5. Prune branches of trees growing near roof (check tress near garage
    also).
Fall
6. Clean out window wells, check any retaining walls.
Spring
7. Check trash cans and lids, replace or add extras as needed.
Spring


Roof
1. Check ALL the roof for damage or wear, especially valleys, use
    binoculars and/or look from the neighbors upper floor windows.
Spring
2. Check gutters for leaks, loose areas, damage and disconnected
    downspouts.
Spring
3. Clean gutters and down spouts, check extensions or splash blocks
    (Very Important).
Spring
4. Check chimney for loose bricks, gaps in mortar, other damage (use
    binoculars).
Spring
5. Check eaves for squirrel holes, bird nests, peeling paint, loose
    boards.
Spring


Walls
1. Check foundation for loose or missing mortar, cracks, crumbling.
Spring
2. Check wall surfaces fro loose or peeling paint, cracks, loose siding,
    stucco.
Spring
3. Check trim surfaces for loose or peeling paint, decay, loose boards.
Spring
4. Check hose bibs (faucets) for leaks.
Spring
5. Check caulking around pipes, vents and other wall penetrations.
Fall


Door and Windows
1. Check storm doors, storm windows and screens for operation, fit,
    decay, damage.
Fall
2. Check caulking around window and door frames, all other gaps or
    concerns.
Spring
3. Check address numbers (should be visible from street).
Today


Electric Outlets and Fixtures
1. Check weatherproof covers on exposed outlets, fixtures and
    switches.
Spring
2. All overhead wires securely fastened to build and 10' above the
    ground (12' above the driveway), contact the power company if
    problems are visible.
Fall
3. Contact power company if branches interfere with power lines to
    house.
Spring
4. Clean leaves and other debris from around air conditioner unit
    (Turn power off).
Spring


Garage
1. Check doors for good fit and proper operation, lubricate if needed.
Fall
2. Check locks, windows and electric fixtures.
Fall
3. Check roof, grade, walls, install rear address numbers if lacking.
Spring