Home Maintenance Checklist: Monthly, Seasonal and Yearly

A home maintenance checklist turns upkeep into a short list of small jobs on a calendar. This page gives you that calendar: monthly checks, seasonal jobs, yearly tasks, and a guide to every maintenance article on this site.

Want a version to print or tick off on screen? The free Home Maintenance Checklist tool is the interactive companion to this page: it turns the monthly, seasonal and yearly jobs below into a checklist you can print or work through.

The safety items come first because they matter most: alarms, filters, the dryer, the water heater and GFCI outlets. They are sourced to fire-safety agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and manufacturers. For anything your appliance manual says differently, follow the manual.

What is a home maintenance schedule?

A home maintenance schedule is a repeating list of inspections and small repairs sorted by how often they are needed. Jobs that affect safety repeat monthly. Jobs tied to weather repeat each season. Jobs that wear out slowly repeat yearly.

Set your calendar up once, and move each job to the date that fits your climate. Before you start, gather a basic kit; our guide to the essential tools every homeowner should have covers what to buy first.

What should you check every month?

Check the life-safety devices, the air filter, the dryer lint filter and the GFCI outlets every month. These take about as long as a cup of coffee and catch the problems that are most dangerous or most costly to ignore.

Monthly job	What to do	Source or guide
Smoke alarms	Press each test button	NFPA
Carbon monoxide alarms	Test and check batteries	CPSC
GFCI outlets	Press test, then reset	CPSC
HVAC filter	Look at it; replace when dirty or on the label’s schedule	EPA
Dryer lint filter	Clean before and after every load	USFA
Under-sink and appliance hoses	Look for drips or damp cabinets	Appliance manuals
Garbage disposal and drains	Run water and clean as needed	See guides below

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says to test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button. Install alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. NFPA recommends interconnected alarms so that when one sounds, all of them do.

NFPA also says to replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Check the manufacture date printed on the back of each alarm, and replace the whole unit when it is due; do not just change the battery. The guide to testing and replacing smoke detector batteries walks through the steps.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says to install battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas, and to check the batteries regularly. Interconnected CO alarms are best. Follow the replacement date printed on each CO alarm, because lifespans differ by model. If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside to fresh air and call 911.

GFCI outlets

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) cuts power quickly when current leaks to ground, which protects people from shock. The CPSC says to test every GFCI after installation, at least once a month, and after a power failure.

1. Press the TEST button. The outlet should shut off.
2. Press the RESET button. Power should return.
3. If you lack instructions, plug a lamp in and turn it on. Press TEST. The light should go out. If it does not, the GFCI is not working or was wired wrong, and you should call a qualified electrician.
4. If the light does not come back on after RESET, replace the GFCI.

HVAC and furnace filter

Look at the filter every month and replace it on the label’s schedule. The EPA says manufacturers typically recommend replacement every 60 to 90 days, and that you should change filters more often if they look heavily soiled when you pull them. Use the correct size, and make sure the filter fits snugly so air does not leak around it.

For how to pick the size and rating, see how to change your home air filters. For the furnace-specific swap, see when and how to change your furnace filter.

Dryer lint and vent

Clean the lint filter before and after every cycle, as the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) advises. Also clean the back of the dryer, where lint builds up, and check the vent behind the dryer for damage, crushing or restrictions. Make sure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is running.

USFA data from 2018 to 2020 show that failure to clean was the leading factor (31%) in home dryer fires. Have the dryer installed and serviced by a professional, and follow the manual for vent cleaning intervals.

What should you do each season?

Match each season to the weather it prepares you for. The schedule below is a starting point; adjust it for your climate and your home’s age.

Spring checklist

Spring is for checking what winter did. Walk the exterior, inspect the roof from the ground, and test water systems before heavy rain.

• Check gutters, downspouts and the ground around the foundation for water pooling or damage.
• Test the sump pump before the rainy season; see testing your sump pump.
• Look at exterior paint, caulk and wood trim for cracks or peeling; see maintaining exterior paint.
• Wash and inspect the deck; see annual deck maintenance.
• Have air conditioning checked before the hot season, and replace the filter.
• Remove any temporary window insulation and check that windows open and latch.

Summer checklist

Summer is for the cooling system and for outdoor wear. Keep filters fresh, keep vents clear and watch for moisture.

• Keep outdoor air conditioner units clear of plants and debris.
• Replace the HVAC filter on schedule, since cooling systems run hard.
• Check bathroom and kitchen fans and exhaust vents.
• Clean refrigerator coils; see cleaning refrigerator coils.
• Touch up exterior paint and caulk on dry days.

Fall checklist

Fall is the busiest season. Prepare the house for cold weather before the first freeze.

• Replace the furnace filter and have heating equipment serviced.
• Clear gutters and downspouts after the leaves drop; see how to clean and maintain gutters.
• Check weatherstripping and caulk; see sealing drafts around doors and windows and caulking windows and doors.
• Test smoke and CO alarms and replace the batteries that need it.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses.

The full list is in our fall home maintenance checklist.

Winter checklist

Winter is for keeping heat in, water flowing and alarms working. Check regularly rather than waiting for a cold snap.

• Replace the furnace filter on schedule and keep vents unblocked.
• Watch for ice dams, drafts and condensation on windows.
• Know where your main water shut-off is, in case a pipe freezes or leaks.
• Test CO alarms, especially if you use a fireplace, gas appliances or a portable generator. The CPSC says to run portable generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the home.

For energy-saving and cold-weather jobs, see winterizing your home.

What should you do once a year?

Yearly tasks are the ones that wear out slowly: the water heater, the dryer vent, the chimney and the home’s exterior joints. Put them on your calendar for a month you will remember.

• Flush the water heater. Rheem says to flush a tank water heater once a year in most homes, or every 6 months in hard-water areas, to remove sediment that can reduce efficiency and increase wear. Per Rheem, shut off power or gas and the cold water supply, attach a hose to the drain valve and run it somewhere that can handle hot water, then drain and refill the tank and restore power or gas only once water runs steadily. Follow your own manual. Rheem advises calling a professional if the unit is 8 to 12 years old or older, or if noise continues after flushing. Our water heater inspection guide lists the warning signs.
• Service the heating and cooling system. Schedule an annual tune-up and use the HVAC maintenance basics to know what is checked.
• Clean the dryer vent. Follow the dryer manual and USFA guidance: check for crushed or restricted duct and a working outdoor flap.
• Inspect caulk and weatherstripping. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) lists caulk, spray foam and weather-stripping among the do-it-yourself air sealing materials, and says air leaks make a home drafty and strain heating and cooling equipment.
• Check tubs, showers and grout. Re-caulk where seams have pulled away; see re-caulking your bathtub and cleaning and sealing grout.
• Replace anything past its date. Smoke alarms at 10 years, CO alarms by the printed date, and any appliance part the manual lists.

Which appliances need regular maintenance?

Most appliances need a monthly or seasonal wipe-down and a yearly deep clean. The manual for each appliance sets the exact intervals and cleaners.

• Washing machine. Clean the drum and gasket and leave the door open to dry; see simple washing machine maintenance.
• Dishwasher. Clean the filter and spray arms; see deep cleaning your dishwasher.
• Refrigerator. Clean the coils and door seals; see the refrigerator coil guide.
• Garbage disposal. Keep it clean and avoid what the manual says not to grind; see cleaning and maintaining your garbage disposal.

USFA also advises plugging major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers directly into a wall outlet, never using an extension cord with a major appliance, and replacing an appliance that has a cracked, damaged or loose cord.

Where does each maintenance guide fit?

Every maintenance guide on this site maps to a job on the calendar above. Use the groups below to jump to the right one.

Safety and alarms

• Testing and replacing smoke detector batteries
• Essential tools every homeowner should have, including the voltage tester and fire extinguisher

Heating, cooling and air

• How to change your home air filters
• When and how to change your furnace filter
• The basics of maintaining your HVAC system

Plumbing and water

• How to fix a running toilet in 5 easy steps
• How to install a new faucet in under an hour
• 5 simple plumbing fixes you can handle yourself
• DIY water heater inspection and warning signs
• Testing your sump pump before the rainy season
• Re-caulking your bathtub

Appliances

• Simple washing machine maintenance
• Deep clean your dishwasher
• Cleaning refrigerator coils
• Cleaning and maintaining your garbage disposal

Exterior, drafts and weatherproofing

• How to clean and maintain gutters
• Annual deck maintenance
• Maintaining exterior paint
• The ultimate guide to caulking windows and doors
• Sealing drafts around doors and windows
• Winterizing your home
• Fall home maintenance checklist

Walls, floors and small repairs

• Patching holes in drywall
• Quick wall touch-ups
• How to clean and seal grout
• Squeaky door hinges: fix them in 5 minutes

How do you keep a maintenance log?

A simple log keeps the schedule honest. Use a notebook, a spreadsheet or a calendar with repeating reminders.

1. List each job, how often it repeats, and where the supplies are.
2. Write the date you finished it and any notes: filter size, paint color, appliance model.
3. Keep manuals, warranty dates and the manufacture dates of alarms in one folder.
4. Set a repeating reminder for the monthly safety checks, such as the first of the month.
5. Put one season’s jobs on a single weekend so they do not pile up.

When should you call a professional?

Call a licensed professional for gas appliances, electrical panel or wiring work, roof repairs, structural problems, major plumbing and anything involving a ladder you are not comfortable on. For electrical checks, turn off the breaker, confirm the circuit is dead with a non-contact voltage tester and at the device, and follow the device manufacturer’s instructions and local code.

If you smell gas, leave the area immediately without using light switches, appliances, flames or a phone inside, and call 911 from a neighbor’s house or another location well away from the leak (PHMSA guidance). If a CO alarm sounds, get to fresh air and call 911. If you see scorched outlets or smell burning plastic, shut off power if it is safe to do so, leave, and call the fire department or an electrician.