Home Maintenance Tips

• Check the filters on your heating/cooling unit. If you have humidifiers and electronic air cleaners, their filters should also be checked. Change or clean on the recommended schedule.
• Check faucets for drips and the rest of the plumbing for leaks. Repairing minor drips and leaks can prevent major water damage in the future. It also will help with conservation and keep down your water bill.

• Change the batteries in your smoke detector twice a year. Fire experts suggest changing the batteries when you change your clocks at the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time. Or choose two family birthdays that are about 6 months apart.
• Draining a gallon or two of water from your hot water heater at least twice a year can extend its life expectancy.
• Clean out your roof gutters. Particularly don't let the gutters get clogged with leaves. General recommendation is twice a year in the spring and fall.
• Trim shrubs and trees so that they clear the foundation, exterior walls, and roof of the house. Shrubbery that's too close to the house can promote the growth of mildew, mold, and algae, particularly during warmer weather. Root growth can damage foundations. Limbs can scrape paint on siding and trim.
• Clean leaves and trash out from under decks and porches. Pull mulch away from foundation walls.
• Check and service lawn care equipment in spring before you need it. Check snow removal equipment in fall before you need it.

• Have your heating and cooling system(s) serviced.
• If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, check the chimney and have it cleaned if there is any creosote or soot build-up. Check the soundness of the mortar at the same time.
• Inspect, repair and reseal tile grout in bathrooms, kitchens, and any other areas.
• Make a quick inspection of the exterior of the house. Check the foundation for cracking, blocked vents, and leaks. Check caulking around doors and windows. Check paint for peeling, cracking, fading or blistering.
• Check the roof for leaks. You don't have to get on the roof necessarily, but you could inspect the underside of the roof in the attic for any signs of leaking. If you spot any, it's probably time to call a professional.

• If you don't currently have a termite service, have a thorough termite inspection. Follow up on any treatment and repair recommendations. Keep your termite protection current, it will save you money in the long run.
• Make sure that you know where the main cut-off valves or switches are for the home's plumbing system, electrical service, and gas service.

• Checklist for Maintaining Your Home from the Mississippi State University Extension Service
• Home Maintenance, a fact sheet from Ohio State University Extension Service, provides a handy chart of chores that you can print out and post.

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