When you’re buying a home, you are surrounded by numbers; the down payment, mortgage rate, closing costs, fees, and so much more. But one of the things you might not consider is what comes after the sale is done. This is where a homeowner maintenance checklist and game plan is key!

A good rule of thumb is to budget 1-3% of your home’s purchase price each year to cover typical and preventative maintenance. It is likely you don’t appreciate surprises (unless there is cake involved) so there is good news; you might be able to avoid many issues by sticking to a homeowner’s maintenance checklist.

If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, this checklist should help keep you safe and comfortable. If you’re thinking about moving, consider it a kind of home renovation timeline that helps you keep the home in great shape for sale down the road.

Monthly Home Maintenance

Whether you pick the first Sunday or the month or the last Saturday or the month, try to block out a little time each month to address these items. Who knows (well, actually, I think you know)… A few simple tasks on a monthly basis can and will save you costly repairs down the road. Ready for some good news? You are in luck! Most of these tasks are DIY-friendly, only require common household tools, and cost very little to perform. Let’s take a look at what you should be doing each and every month:

• Look for leaks around toilets and sinks. Any sign of water where it shouldn’t be is reason to investigate further. Even a tiny leak could cost hundreds of dollars each year, as illustrated by this chart from the City of New York.
• Inspect grout and caulking. Touch up any voids or cracks in tubs and showers. This keeps them looking nice while helping to avoid seeping water damage (a costly repair if left unattended to).
• Check kitchen range vent filter. Clean or replace if needed. Consider looking at the range filter more often if you are living with the next top chef. Not sure how to clean your vent? No problem! Check out How to Clean a Greasy Range Hood Filter in 8 Steps.
• Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. In addition to a monthly test, Consumer Reports explains why you should change batteries every six months. Make a habit of changing the batteries when you change your clocks during Daylight Savings Time.
• Check HVAC system filters. Some filters are reusable, while others are disposable and must be replaced. Clean or replace filters when they get dirty, which might be anywhere from 30 days to a few months.
• Stroll around outside. 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, fence lines, etc. looking for problems with the foundation, vents, gutters, drainpipes, etc. You’ll be glad you did!

Winter Homeowners Maintenance Checklist

Unless you’re a fan of cold weather, your natural inclination might be to hunker down and ride a tidal wave of Netflix and warm adult beverages until spring arrives. However, before going into hibernation mode, there are a few winter home maintenance chores you should attend to:

• Close foundation vents. Crawl space ventilation is good for your home during the spring, summer, and fall. However, during the winter months, closing the vents can help lower your heating costs.
• Watch for ice dams. 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.
• Check for drafts. Cold air slipping in around doors and windows can cause higher heating bills. Use this simple trick: light a stick of incense and slowly move it around the seams of doors and windows. When the smoke blows around instead of rising in a straight line, you’ve got a draft. Many gaps can be eliminated by applying a little caulk.
• Test your sump pump. If you have a basement sump pump, make sure the switch is on and pour a little water in the crock to ensure it starts. Many basement leaks occur during upcoming spring thaws, so check it now to be safe. Check the backup battery, too.
• Cover outdoor air-conditioning units (or transfer window units inside). Snow and ice can damage outdoor air-conditioning units if they aren’t protected. Covers are available at most home improvement stores, but even a secured canvas tarp will do.

Spring Homeowners Maintenance Checklist

Winter can be tough on your home — especially in a valley famous for wind, wind, and you guessed it, more wind. Here’s the springtime homeowner’s maintenance checklist to ensure your home is ready when spring flowers begin to bloom:

• Check seals around doors and windows. Check for drafts again. Cracked caulking should be touched up to prevent the loss of cooled air all summer.
• Check storm-window drains. Older homes often have triple-track storm windows and screens, and these usually have small drains to prevent rain puddling, which can rot wooden window sills. Make sure any rain that does get trapped can flow out.
• HVAC checkup. It’s a good idea to have your system tuned up before air conditioning season arrives. Always use a trained professional for this. Many companies offer discounts to those who sign maintenance agreements for spring and fall tune-ups.
• Roof inspection. Winter snow and ice can damage shingles which could lead to leaks. You can inspect your roof with binoculars, but don’t go up there. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 500,000 people are injured in ladder-related accidents each year. Roof repairs are best left to a qualified contractor.
• Check gutters. Ice buildup during the winter months can cause gutters to loosen and sag. Gutters that don’t drain properly may create drainage issues — left for a season or two, an unstable gutter can spill enough water to damage the foundation.
• Inspect sidewalks and driveway. Cracks and buckles caused by freezing temperatures should be repaired before they become a major issue.

Summer Homeowners Maintenance Checklist

Whether summer means vacations, golf outings, and lounging by the pool or a season spent in a bailer, building livestock fencing, and asking yourself why you keep adding more animals… save a little time for your home. With enough other stressors, rest easy at the end of each day with the knowledge that your house is ready for summer by taking care of these chores before hitting the hay:

• Test lawn irrigation system. If you have an underground lawn irrigation system, leaks in the pipes or connections can cause your water bills to skyrocket. The Environmental Protection Agency offers excellent tips for maintaining your irrigation system.
• Trim around outdoor HVAC units. Grass and weeds growing around the units can affect their efficiency and could even cause expensive damage.
• Inspect your decks. If the wood is beginning to show its age, summer can be a good time to apply a coat of stain or sealant. Take the time to tap down any protruding nails and sand any rough areas to ensure safety throughout the seasons.
• Check siding. Warm weather is ideal for pressure washing vinyl or fiber cement siding. Pay close attention to each piece of siding as you clean it, looking for cracks, soft spots and any other signs of trouble.
• Inspect foundation and crawlspace. Look for cracks that may need repair. Check the crawlspace right after a heavy rain to make sure there’s no water.

Fall Homeowners Maintenance Checklist

Before you pop the top on that pumpkin ale, reserve a few weekend hours to take care of these autumn home maintenance tasks (they make your beverage of choice taste even better come days end):

• HVAC system inspection. Noticing a trend? Have a qualified HVAC mechanic inspect your system to ensure it’s ready to heat your home all winter. The HVAC system is one system you do not want to neglect.
• Turn off outside hose bibs. If you don’t have frost-free exterior faucets, shut off their water supply and drain the lines to prevent freezing. While you’re at it, roll up hoses and get the outside of your home tidy for winter.
• Inspect the fireplace. Always have a professional inspect wood stove and wood burning fireplace chimneys prior to starting the first fire of the season. The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports an average of 22,300 chimney fires each year; a good fireplace and chimney cleaning can help keep your home from becoming a statistic. Find a CSIA Certified technician today!
• Clean gutters and check roof. Remove all debris that can trap snow and water during the winter. If you live in a one-story home, this can be a DIY-project for you and a partner.
• Check exterior grade. Fill in any depressions near the foundation that can trap water or snow. These water issues could eventually lead to damp basements, settling or foundation damage.

Yearly Home Upkeep Checklist

Just like you, your house and its many components get a year older every 12 months. Here are a few annual maintenance tasks that can help your home become the fine wine that you know it can be:

• Clean clothes dryer exhaust. Lint buildup can affect the dryer’s efficiency and may create a fire hazard. In fact, about 15,500 house fires are caused by clothes dryers each year. The National Park Service offers some interesting ideas on what to do with all the lint.
• Lubricate garage door springs. Whether you have an opener or not, greasing your garage door springs can make it much easier to operate.
• Drain/Service hot water heater. Sediment that collects in the bottom of the heater can affect its longevity. If you’re not sure how to drain the water heater, this tutorial from the City of Fresno has the answers you seek. Consulting a trained and certified professional is always a good idea.
• Look for signs of termites. A swarm of termites can lead to huge expenses. This termite primer from the EPA can help you spot them.
• Clean septic tank. If your sewage collects in a tank, it should be inspected annually and emptied as needed. The average household needs a septic tank cleaning every two or three years.