Properly maintaining your home can save you money in the long-term by lengthening the lifespan of your home’s components. Maintaining your home is important for keeping the value of the property and for the safety of your family.

The following checklist can be incorporated into the routine maintenance of your home and property.

Monthly

• Test your GFCI outlets to lengthen the lifespan and ensure operation. Do this by pushing the “test” button located on the GFCI outlet. You should hear a pop sound and power should no longer be running to the outlet. Then, press the “reset” button to reset the GFCI. The outlet should now have power.
• Exercise your circuit breakers by turning them on and off to ensure operation.
• Test your AFCI breakers to ensure operation and lengthen the lifespan. To do this, go to your electrical panel and locate your AFCI breakers. Then, press the “test” button on the AFCI breakers. The breaker should make a pop sound and the breaker should no longer be supplying power to the specified circuit. Then, reset the breaker by flicking it off and back on.
• Replace your HVAC filter if you have a large family or many pets to lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC unit.
• Ensure your pool is being properly maintained to avoid costly repairs. Consider hiring a pool service.
• Ensure your sprinklers are being properly maintained by preforming a test of each zone.

Quarterly

• Every three months you should do the following:
  • Check sinks and around toilets for leaks to prevent cabinet damage.
    
  • Clear vegetation away from your home to prevent water intrusion and keep bugs away.
  • Look for stains on your ceilings that may indicate roof leaks.
  • Clean your gutters to prevent roof leaks and moisture intrusion.
  • Check your exterior faucets for drips/leaks to avoid costly water bills.
  • Oil Garage Door Springs for improved lifespan.
  • Check water heater for leaks or rust.
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  • Inspect the outdoor entertainment areas I.E. wood decks, concrete patios and/or playground equipment; for any cracks, other types of deterioration. Watch for uneven areas that could be a potential trip or fall hazard.

Seasonal Maintenance

• Climate conditions change every season and your home will be put to the test, repeatedly. Complete these maintenance items to ensure your home continues to run smoothly.
  • Have your HVAC system serviced in the Spring (before Summer) and Fall (before Winter) to ensure it will continue working and to avoid high service fees.
  • Check drainage and grading to ensure water flows away from your home before the rainy season.
  • Make sure that the caulking around doors and windows is adequate to reduce heating/ cooling loss.
  • Remove birds’ nest from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures.

Hurricane Preparation

• In Florida, we have a lot of wind and rain. Here’s what you can do to prep your home before the hurricane season.
• Ensure you have hurricane preparation items.
• Count and layout your shutters to ensure they are all there.
• Buy plywood and cut accordingly to fit your openings.
• Ensure all shutter hardware for shutters is ready.
• Conduct a roof inspection yourself or hire a professional inspector.
  • Request an appointment now: New Ground Home Inspection
• Paint/Caulk areas of your home that have become worn or damaged (around windows, be sure not to cover the weep holes).
• Clean out weep hole areas to avoid water intrusion at your windows.
• Test emergency generator.
• Verify that you have a secure area for all outdoor equipment and furniture that may need to be stored safely incase of projected landfall/ intense weather in your area.

Yearly

• Every year, you should complete the following:
  • Replace smoke detector batteries and test for operation by pushing the test button on your smoke detector.
    
  • Flush out your water heater by connecting a hose and opening the bottom valve.
  • Clean your dryer vent to prevent house fires.
    
  • Pressure wash your home to remove dirt or algae that may hide damaged siding.
    
    Give your house a deep and thorough cleaning.
  • Have an annual home maintenance inspection by a home inspector (this is especially useful for your roof and attic – catching a leak ahead of time will be less costly).
    Request one here: New Ground Home Inspection
  • Order a termite inspection if you do not have a termite bond.
  • Check grout at kitchens, tubs, showers, and sinks to avoid water damage.
  • Make sure the house number is clear and visible from the road for first-responders to see, in the event of an emergency.

Revisit this checklist every year to be sure you are keeping up with your home maintenance.