October 8, 2006
Home Maintenance Checklist
Home Maintenance Checklist for Fall
It’s a good idea to set up a budget for your home’s regular maintenance and unexpected repairs. You may want to budget 1 percent of the purchase price of your house to cover annual maintenance and repairs. You also want to adhere to a regular savings plan to cover essential bills, emergency repairs, and large, periodic expenses such as property taxes and homeowner’s insurance (if they’re not held in an escrow account by your lender). Some financial advisors suggest saving 5 percent of your take-home pay. You must commit this amount every payday to make it happen.
The following seasonal checklist will give you an idea of what you can do this fall to maintain your home:
Outside Items
- Check all weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors; replace or repair as needed.
- Check for cracks and holes in house siding; fill with caulking as necessary.
- Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them.
- Take down screens (if removable type); clean and store.
- Check storm windows and doors; clean and repair as needed; put back up (if removable type).
- Drain outside faucets.
- Clean gutters and drain pipes so that leaves won’t clog them.
- Check roof for leaks; repair as necessary.
- Check flashing around vents, skylights, and chimneys for leaks.
- Check chimney for damaged chimney caps and loose or missing mortar.
- Check chimney flue; clear obstructions; make sure damper closes tightly.
Inside Items
- Check insulation wherever possible; replace or add as necessary.
- Have heating system and heat pump serviced; have humidifier checked; change or clean filters on furnace.
- Drain hot water heater; remove sediment from bottom of tank; clean burner surfaces; adjust burners.
- Check and clean humidifier in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean refrigerator coils.
- Clean fireplace.
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