Taking Care of Your House: A Simple Guide for Every Season

As a homeowner, you know keeping your house in good shape is something you always have to do. Taking care of your home helps it stay worth more money, and it makes sure you and your family have a nice and safe place to live. If you don’t fix things when they break, it can cost you a lot of money later, so it’s best to stay on top of things. This guide has simple lists for each season to help you keep your house in great shape all year long.

Why Taking Care of Your House Each Season is Important

Every season brings different problems for your house. When the weather changes, and when we do different things during different times of the year, it can wear down your home. If you do a few simple tasks each season, it helps your house get ready for the weather and lets you catch any problems early.

Springtime Tasks

Spring is a great time to fix things that winter messed up and get your house ready for warmer weather.

Things to Do:

• Check your gutters: Clean out leaves and other stuff that got stuck in the gutters during winter. This helps water flow away from your house. Fix any broken parts so water doesn’t leak into your house.
• Look at your roof: See if any shingles are missing, broken, or bent. Fix any leaks so water doesn’t damage the attic or inside your house.
• Check the foundation: Look for cracks in the walls that hold up your house, and in your driveway and sidewalks. Fill in any cracks so water doesn’t get into your basement.
• Look at the outside of your house: See if the paint is peeling, the wood is rotting, or the caulk (the stuff that seals cracks) is damaged. Repaint and add new caulk to protect your house from the weather.
• Get your air conditioner ready: Put window air conditioners in place and get your central air conditioner ready for the summer heat. Have a professional check it to make sure it runs well.
• Wash your windows: Take off the storm windows and wash your windows so you can see clearly. Clean the screens on your windows and doors, and fix or replace them if they’re broken.
• Check for bugs: Look around your yard for standing water, because that’s where mosquitoes like to lay eggs. See if there are any holes where bugs can get into your house.

Summertime Tasks

Summer is a good time to work on things outside and fix problems that come from using your yard and outdoor spaces more often.

Things to Do:

• Take care of your lawn and garden: Keep your grass cut and your plants healthy so your house looks nice.
• Fix your driveway and sidewalks: Repair any cracks or damage so people don’t trip and fall.
• Check your water features: Make sure things like fountains and ponds are working correctly.
• Power wash: Clean the outside of your house, your deck, your driveway, and your sidewalks with a power washer to get rid of dirt. Be careful not to damage the wood or siding.
• Check for rotten wood: Use a screwdriver to poke around and see if any wood is rotting, especially near windows and doors. Replace any bad wood to keep the problem from getting worse.
• Check monthly: Clean refrigerator coils, check oven heating elements, and check washer hoses.

Fall Tasks

Fall is the time to get your house ready for cold weather and winter storms.

Things to Do:

• Clean your gutters: Remove leaves and other stuff from your gutters before winter so ice doesn’t build up and damage your house.
• Disconnect hoses: Empty out and disconnect your garden hoses from the outside faucets so the pipes don’t freeze and break.
• Check windows and doors: See if there are any drafts or damage around your windows and doors. Replace weather stripping and add caulk to keep the cold out and save energy.
• Organize your garage: Clean out junk and organize your garage so you have room for your car and winter equipment.
• Get your heating system checked: Have a professional check your heating system to make sure it’s ready for winter. Clean or replace the filters to keep the air clean and help it run better.
• Check smoke detectors: Put new batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them to make sure they’re working.
• Clean dryer vent: Remove lint from the dryer vent to prevent fires.
• Cover AC unit: Protect your air conditioning unit with a waterproof cover.

Winter Tasks

Winter is the time to focus on things inside your house and fix any problems caused by the weather.

Things to Do:

• Check for ice dams: After snowstorms, look at your roof and gutters for ice buildup.
• Check for leaks: Look for water leaks in your basement when the snow melts.
• Clean appliances: Clean refrigerator and freezer drip pans and vacuum the coils. Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter.
• Check water heater: Look for leaks and pressure issues. Consider installing a leak detector to prevent costly flooding damage.
• Indoor seals: Check window and door seals to prevent drafts and improve heating efficiency.

By following these simple checklists, you can protect your house, keep your family comfortable, and avoid big repair bills. Remember to change the lists to fit your specific home and schedule, and don’t be afraid to call a professional for things you can’t do yourself.