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Most non-rechargeable fire extinguishers need to be replaced every 10 years. A swarm of termites can lead to huge expenses. This termite primer from the EPA can help you spot them.
Are there cracks, missing shingles, crumbling pieces? Check asphalt for dry, blistering, alligatoring, or curling shingles; wood for rot and splits; slate and tile for broken pieces; and flat roofs for holes. Be especially vigilant under trees, where falling branches or jumping animals could have done damage. Once the leaves have fallen, look more closely at where branches touch the house.
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This however, doesn’t mean that it makes them insignificant, thus entitling you to completely ignore them. Also, make sure to regularly check your fire extinguisher and your fire alarm batteries, since you never know when you are going to need them the most. It is better to check them every month and never need them, than to need them just once and that they fail at that very occasion.
If you need to find a trusted heating and cooling service company in your area, get free, no-obligation quotes from local pros on HomeAdvisor.com. Plus, I provide a comprehensive list detailing the average lifespan of every home appliance, system, and material. Understanding how often these items need to be replaced will help you avoid unpleasant surprises—like your AC unit dying in the middle of the summer. If you’re not ready to download and print right now, I’ve outlined each item on the checklist below and included explanations, tips, and helpful resources to get you started. As the fall season begins, there are a few maintenance tasks to pay attention to around the house.
Monthly Home Maintenance Tasks
Send it out for a tuneup annually, where a small-engine repair company could sharpen the blades, change the spark plug and do any other necessary maintenance. Expect to spend $50 to $75, according to Angie’s List. TOH mason Mark McCullough recommends using type N mortar mix to seal holes or cracks in the foundation that are leaking water. Fixing air leaks—typically around windows and doors, and at the rim joist—will keep your basement warmer and lower your energy bills.
Some infestations, like a single trail of ants, may be resolved with a spray can and a thorough cleaning of the area. Others, like termites, demand professional assistance. A single visit from a pest control company could cost $300 to $550, according to HomeAdvisor. But if you have a continuing pest problem, like mice, consider an annual contract, with a monthly fee of around $40 to $45, according to HomeAdvisor. Seal holes where mice and roaches can get in. Spring is a good time to give the house a good scrub, washing all the winter away.
Yearly Home Inspection Checklist
Those hours spent digging little holes and burying bulbs will be well worth your sore knees when they bloom in all their glory in early spring. As the leaves begin to turn and the days cool, it’s time to wind your house down for the winter. For those of you living in warmer climates, autumn does not necessarily deliver a giant to-do list.
All of those leaves that fell on your roof are now stuck in your gutters. Clear them out before it gets too cold so that rain and melted snow doesn’t build up on your roof and leak into your house. Raking is not my favorite fall activity, but it’s a necessity. If you have thick clumps of leaves covering your lawn all winter and spring, your grass won’t get the light and nutrition it needs and will likely die. If you cook as much as I do, grease will build up quickly in your range hood and filter. Regular cleaning will prevent kitchen odors, air pollution in your home, and a greasy mess that, if neglected for long enough, can become a fire hazard.
At home, now might be the time to buy one. Generators can keep your home warm until the power company can get you back up and running. Add a storm door to reduce heat loss at the main entrance. A personal loan can be especially appealing if you need to move quickly, as the application process is a little less involved than for a home equity loan or HELOC. If you’re planning to clean your gutters or get up on the roof, you’ll likely need to borrow or purchase an extension ladder to safely get the height you need.
Drafty windows and doors will make your heating bill skyrocket. Give each window and door a proper inspection and make a note of any cracks or gaps. Replace the weather stripping on doors if necessary. For windows, seal cracks between the trim and the siding with high-grade polyurethane caulking. If the glass itself is drafty, use transparent plastic window film. I’ve never used it myself but have heard from friends that is works well.
The refrigerator coils are what cools the air inside your fridge. Over time they can get dirty and dusty, which can make the refrigerator less energy efficient and cost you money. You can find these coils on the back of the fridge or inside hidden by a kick plate . Turn off the refrigerator and give the coils a quick vacuum.
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that builds up at the bottom of a roof, trapping snow and melting water behind it. This can allow water to infiltrate the roof. Get in touch with a contractor to fix the problem so it never happens again.
Here's a good overview of ice dams from the National Weather Service. You're probably outside your home on a regular basis, but how often do you really look it over? Walk around the house and any outbuildings, looking for problems with the foundation, vents, gutters, downspouts and drainpipes. These can be located anywhere in your home, but are most commonly found close to water sources . Plug a light into the outlet, then click the "test" button to see if the light goes out, then click "reset" and see if the light goes back on.
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