{"id":84621,"date":"2018-10-11T12:54:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T16:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=84621"},"modified":"2018-10-11T12:54:51","modified_gmt":"2018-10-11T16:54:51","slug":"home-maintenance-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/home-maintenance-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home in Working Order: A Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your home is likely one of your biggest investments. Taking care of it properly is essential. The chores and tasks necessary to maintain a home throughout the year can seem daunting, but they\u2019re easier if broken down into seasonal duties.<\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t have the time or physical ability to tackle these must-dos yourself, refer to our home maintenance checklist below when you hire handymen.<\/p>\n

\"\"Spring<\/h3>\n

At the start of spring, many homeowners are eager to do a little cleaning. This season is the perfect time to empty closets, wax floors, give carpets a deep shampoo and more.<\/p>\n

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Here are some good spring cleaning actions you can take to care for your home:<\/p>\n

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  1. Give the grounds an overhaul. Start cleaning by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    • raking up leaves<\/li>\n
    • turning outside faucets on if you\u2019ve turned them off for winter<\/li>\n
    • inspecting trees for illness or dead branches<\/li>\n
    • re-seeding your lawn<\/li>\n
    • planting perennials<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      1. Tend to your home\u2019s exterior by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        • looking for and filling cracks in concrete<\/li>\n
        • fixing broken rain gutters<\/li>\n
        • giving your home a power wash<\/li>\n
        • touching up paint<\/li>\n
        • cleaning windows<\/li>\n
        • repairing patios and decks<\/li>\n
        • treating pool water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          1. Look after the inside of your home by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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            • inspecting HVAC systems<\/li>\n
            • draining your boiler<\/li>\n
            • giving plumbing a once-over<\/li>\n
            • checking your chimney<\/li>\n
            • replacing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              <\/p>\n

              \"\"Summer<\/h3>\n

              Summer is the time when you probably want to enjoy your home, not clean or repair it. Take a bit of time at the start of the season to tidy and patch up so you can spend the rest of the summer relaxing.<\/p>\n

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              We recommend these summer home maintenance tips:<\/p>\n

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              1. Prepare your grounds by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \n
                • mowing your lawn (but not too short so you expose weeds)<\/li>\n
                • pulling weeds<\/li>\n
                • watering plants<\/li>\n
                • checking the functionality of sprinklers<\/li>\n
                • cleaning your pool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                  1. Make exterior home repairs and touch-ups by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                    • painting or staining your porch<\/li>\n
                    • cleaning windows<\/li>\n
                    • hosing or sweeping your fa\u00e7ade<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                      1. The inside of your home can be summertime-ready by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                        • wiping down ceiling fans<\/li>\n
                        • cleaning air conditioning filters<\/li>\n
                        • repairing weather stripping<\/li>\n
                        • evaluating your family emergency plan<\/li>\n
                        • deterring and treating for insects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          <\/p>\n

                          \"\"Fall<\/h3>\n

                          When leaves start turning shades of red, orange and gold, it\u2019s time to begin preparing your home for crisp weather.<\/p>\n

                          There isn\u2019t a huge to-do list for fall, just some simple steps to make sure your home is prepped for the upcoming colder months.<\/p>\n

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                            \n
                          1. Tend to your grounds in fall by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \n
                            • planting perennials<\/li>\n
                            • re-seeding the lawn<\/li>\n
                            • inspecting trees for dead branches and illness<\/li>\n
                            • watering plants<\/li>\n
                            • raking leaves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                \n
                              1. The inside of your home will be fall-ready after you<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  \n
                                • get the central heating serviced<\/li>\n
                                • check the furnace and ductwork for energy efficiency<\/li>\n
                                • call a plumber for a radiator and boiler check-up<\/li>\n
                                • sweep the chimney<\/li>\n
                                • make sure all doors and windows are draft-free<\/li>\n
                                • inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  <\/p>\n

                                  \"\"Winter<\/h3>\n

                                  Winter is usually the time to hunker down. Ensure your home is ideal for getting cozy by tackling to-dos you\u2019ve put aside during summer and fall. Anticipate how harsh weather will impact your home.<\/p>\n

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                                  Start with:<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Winterizing your grounds by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                                    • making sure the snow blower is working<\/li>\n
                                    • stocking up on supplies like ice melt and shovels<\/li>\n
                                    • looking for signs of potential ice dams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                      1. Batten up the inside of your home by<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                                        • putting a new filter on the heating system<\/li>\n
                                        • inspecting pipes<\/li>\n
                                        • having a backup generator<\/li>\n
                                        • stocking supplies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          Throughout the year, check stocks of batteries and light bulbs. Give rugs and furniture a good vacuum and do periodic checks for mold and insects. Each year, refer to this home maintenance list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"