Month by Month - Home Maintenance Checklist
Congratulations on your new Florida home!
As your realtor, I know settling into a new place involves more than just unpacking boxes. To help you get comfortable and keep your beautiful Florida home in tip-top shape, I’ve put together a month-by-month guide for essential maintenance tasks.
This checklist will help you establish a routine and ensure your home runs smoothly throughout the year.
January
- Organize: Gather home improvement manuals and warranties. Schedule maintenance for appliances and equipment.
- Inspect: Tighten loose furniture knobs and hinges. Fix squeaky doors and floors.
- Inventory: Create a room-by-room list of belongings for insurance purposes. Consider photos or videos.
- Plumbing: Don’t block crawl space vents. Insulate pipes exposed to freezing temperatures.
February
- Clean Drains: Remove and clean sink drain traps and pop-up plugs. Check linkage for proper function.
- Caulking & Grout: Inspect and replace cracked grout and discolored caulk in tubs, showers, and sinks.
- Refinishing: Refinish furniture in a ventilated space using low-odor products.
- Musty Closets: Remove contents, wash walls with diluted bleach solution. Consider louvered doors for better ventilation.
- Shut-off Valves: Turn off and on all water valves to prevent sticking and check for leaks.
March
- Medicine Cabinet: Discard expired medications. Ensure all medications are out of reach of children.
- Spring Cleaning: Clean and organize the garage. Hold a yard sale or dispose of hazardous materials responsibly.
- Clean Appliances: Clean the refrigerator thoroughly, inside and out.
- Basement Inspection: Inspect basement walls for moisture after heavy rains. Run a dehumidifier if necessary.
- Water Heater: Test the pressure and temperature relief valve on your water heater.
- Daylight Saving Time: Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
April
- Inspect Screens: Check window and vent screens for tears and bent frames. Clean window screens.
- Outdoor Structures: Inspect decks, railings, and window sills for signs of rot. Plan repairs for dry weather.
- Grill Maintenance: Clean gas grills by removing cooking grates and grease from lava rocks.
- Garden Hoses: Inspect hoses for leaks and replace washers as needed. Disconnect hoses when the frost danger has passed.
- Caulking: Caulk open joints around windows and doors.
- Crawl Space Check: Inspect the crawl space for water accumulation or leaks. Check washing machine hoses.
- Fire Safety: Check fire extinguishers for functionality and pressure.
- Weather Stripping: Inspect weather stripping around doors and windows, replace if worn.
- Garbage Disposal: Clean the garbage disposal with ice cubes and vinegar mixture.
May
- Clean Gutters: Clean gutters and ensure proper drainage away from the foundation.
- Wash Windows: Wash windows using a non-sudsy ammonia solution. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Air Conditioning: Schedule AC maintenance according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Replace air filters. Clean condenser unit debris.
- Faucets & Showerheads: Remove mineral deposits by soaking in vinegar and scrubbing.
- Pool Maintenance: Clean and service pool liners and filters.
- Seasonal Shopping: Look for deals on air conditioners and window fans.
- Ceiling Fans: Dust ceiling fan blades.
- Thermostats & Sprinklers: Adjust thermostats and sprinkler systems for changing weather.
- Patio Furniture: Protect metal patio furniture with auto polish before placing outdoors.
June
- Deck Maintenance: Clean and seal decks on warm, sunny days. Apply deck cleaner, then deck sealer, following a three-day process.
- Exterior Cleaning: Wash the exterior of your house using a mild detergent and garden hose pressure. Avoid pressure washers.
- Exterior Caulking: Caulk joints around windows and doors on the exterior of your house.
- Dryer Vent Cleaning: Clean the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap.
July
- Exterior Paint: Inspect exterior walls for peeling or cracked paint. Prioritize repainting south and west-facing walls that deteriorate faster.
- Brick & Masonry: Check brick or masonry siding for cracks and repair with mortar or concrete caulk.
- Roof Inspection: Look for damaged or missing shingles and leaks, especially around chimneys and vents. Check the attic for stains.
- Outdoor Lighting: Ensure automatic light timers and motion-detector systems function properly.
- Tree Trimming: Prune trees and shrubs to avoid contact with exterior siding.
- Driveway Repair: Clean and repair cracks in concrete driveways. Seal asphalt driveways every other year.
- Termite Inspection: Inspect foundation walls for signs of termites. Contact a professional exterminator if necessary.
August
- Refrigerator Coils: Clean condenser coils on the back or underneath your refrigerator using a vacuum with a narrow nozzle.
- Faucet Repair: Check faucets for leaks and replace washers or repair the faucet as needed.
- Range Hood Cleaning: Clean underneath the range hood and remove or replace range hood filters.
- Plumbing System: Fix “water hammer” noises by draining the plumbing system to restore air to air chambers.
September
- Interior Painting: Paint interior rooms while the weather allows for open windows.
- Heating System: Schedule professional maintenance for your heating system, including checking filters, pilot lights, and burners.
- Dust Removal: Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters, and cold-air returns.
- Window AC Units: Remove and store window air conditioners. If not removable, cover them for winter protection.
- Foundation Grading: Ensure proper grading of soil around the foundation for water drainage.
- Lawn & Garden Equipment: Look for year-end sales on lawn and garden equipment.
- Storm Windows: Inspect storm windows for deterioration and make repairs.
October
- Winterize: Detach hoses, remove paints and liquids from garages or sheds, and prepare your home for winter.
- Weather Stripping: Inspect and repair or replace weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Winterize Sprinklers: Set thermostats and automatic sprinklers for winter.
- Clean Gutters: Clean gutters again after leaves have fallen. Ensure downspouts are in good repair.
- Fire Extinguisher Check: Check gauges on fire extinguishers to ensure they are fully charged and replace if necessary.
November
- Standard Time & Safety: When setting clocks back, replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Garage Door Maintenance: Inspect and lubricate the automatic garage door opener according to manufacturer’s instructions. Tighten any loose bolts or screws.
- Washing Machine Check: Inspect for leaks around the washing machine, especially the hoses. Replace hoses if necessary.
- Appliance Cleaning: Clean the dishwasher, trash compactor, and countertop appliances.
December
- GFCI Outlets: Test all ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets by pushing the “test” button.
- Bathroom & Kitchen Leak Check: Inspect bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets for moisture and leaks around pipes. Repair the plumbing system if necessary.
- Fire Escape Plan: Review the family fire escape plan with everyone in the household.
- Holiday Decorations: Unpack and test holiday decorations. Discard any malfunctioning ones.
- Tool Sales: Look for sales on tools before and after the holiday season.
Remember, I’m always just a phone call away if you have any questions or need recommendations for qualified professionals!
Take action today, and let Florida be the canvas where you paint your sunshine state masterpiece!
