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Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

When it comes to taking care of your home, there are so many different things you must remember to do regularly to ensure your home stays in great condition. Whether it is monthly tasks or seasonal ones, it is important to put together a home maintenance checklist that you can adhere to. From changing out air filters to replacing lightbulbs, creating a tangible list that you can check tasks off one by one is the best way to make sure your home is being taken care of year-over-year. Listed below is a home maintenance checklist that the Tony Kelly HVAC team put together, compiling monthly and seasonal maintenance items that every homeowner should follow.

Monthly Home Maintenance Items

Replace your HVAC Filters

This simple task provides so many benefits. Not only can replacing your A/C filters help with overall air quality in your home, but it can also help improve the efficiency and life expectancy of your HVAC unit as a whole.

Inspect Fire Extinguishers

Just like most things, fire extinguishers have an expiration date. It is essential that you check your fire extinguishers every month. You can go to your local firehouse to refill your extinguishers when necessary.

Deep Cleaning

Once a month, you should deep clean your entire home. This is crucial for so many reasons. From removing dust, allergens, and bacteria from spaces you often utilize to decluttering your home, deep cleaning can help keep your home in tip-top shape year-round.

Dust and Clean Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures, and Blinds.

Cleaning ceiling fans, light fixtures, and blinds is an important part of maintaining a clean and healthy home environment. Here’s how to properly dust and clean these items:

Ceiling Fans: Dust the blades of the fan with a soft cloth or duster. Make sure to turn off the fan and clean it while it’s not in motion to prevent injury. For tougher grime or dirt buildup, use a damp cloth.

Light Fixtures: Dust the fixtures and bulbs with a soft cloth or duster. Be careful not to touch the bulbs with your fingers as this can cause them to burn out prematurely. If the fixtures are particularly dirty, use a damp cloth to clean them.

Blinds: Dust blinds by wiping them down with a soft cloth or duster, or use a damp cloth for tougher grime. For vertical blinds, use a cloth or a soft brush to clean both sides of each slat. For horizontal blinds, wipe down each slat individually.

Test Smoke Detectors

Your smoke detectors are one of the most important things in your home, and while the annoying beeping that occurs from low batteries can cause us just to remove the batteries altogether to deal with at another time, this is a no-no. We recommend buying a battery tester and testing the battery life each month. When you see one is getting low, replace it immediately.

Deep Clean your Kitchen Sink

Your garbage disposal and pipes in the kitchen are used so often, yet we often forget to take the time to clean them truly deep. With so much waste being thrown down the sink, we think that the garbage disposal will fully dispose of it but this is not always the case. Once a month, you should clean the garbage disposal and pipes with designated cleaning products to remove buildup and any foul odor coming from the sink.

Check Exterior Walls, Roof, and Foundation for Any Signs of Damage or Wear

Examining the exterior walls, roof, and foundation of your home is an important part of monthly maintenance to ensure that your home is in good condition.

Exterior walls: Look for cracks, holes, or other signs of damage in the walls and make repairs as needed. Also, check for peeling paint or other signs of wear that may indicate that the walls need to be repainted.

Roof: Inspect the roof for missing or damaged shingles, cracked or broken tiles, or any other signs of wear. Look for signs of water damage, such as discoloration or mold, which may indicate that there is a leak. If you notice any issues, it’s important to address them as soon as possible to prevent more serious damage in the future.

Foundation: Look for cracks or other signs of damage in the foundation. Check for any signs of settling or shifting, which may indicate that the foundation is unstable. Any issues with the foundation can lead to serious problems if left unaddressed, so it’s important to take action as soon as you notice anything of concern.

Spring Home Maintenance Items

Bi-annual HVAC Maintenance

Call your local HVAC company to come out before the warm summer months to perform bi-annual A/C maintenance. These appointments should never be skipped as they help ensure your HVAC unit is functioning properly, any necessary repairs are taken care of, and overall helps extend the life of your A/C unit. Homeowners who get their HVAC units serviced 2 times per year often find that the life of their HVAC unit lasts much longer than originally anticipated.

Check Your Plumbing System

Your plumbing system is one of the most important components of your home, so it’s important to give it regular attention. The first step is to inspect all exposed pipes for any signs of corrosion or leaking. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, call a plumber right away. You should also pay close attention to your water pressure and check for any clogs in the drains or toilets. It’s also important to inspect your water heater periodically, as this will ensure that it is working properly and efficiently.

Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

Your roof is another important element of your home that needs regular attention. Inspecting your roof every month can help you spot any loose shingles or missing tiles before they cause serious damage. You should also inspect your gutters for clogs, debris, or damage from animals or storms. Taking the time to clear out any debris will help keep water flowing easily away from your home and prevent flooding or water damage.

Clean Out Your Air Vents

It’s easy to forget about cleaning out air vents, but this is an essential part of keeping your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently. As dust and dirt build up over time, these particles can be pushed into the air when you turn on the heat or air conditioning, which may worsen allergies or asthma symptoms for some people in your household. Vacuuming out air vents every month will help keep these particles at bay and ensure that everyone in your home can breathe easily!

Home maintenance is an ongoing process; there are always new things popping up that need attention! But if you create a monthly checklist with items like checking plumbing systems, inspecting roofs and gutters, and cleaning air vents regularly, then you’ll stay ahead of any potential issues before they become major problems down the line. Keeping up with regular maintenance will not only save you money but also give you peace of mind knowing that everything around you is safe and secure!

Contact Tony Kelly Heating and Air Today!

Maintaining your home on a regular basis is important for its overall health, longevity, and comfort. From cleaning ceiling fans to inspecting the roof and foundation, there are many tasks to consider for your home maintenance checklist. If you need HVAC services, Tony Kelly Heating and Air is here to help. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to providing top-notch services to keep your home comfortable and functioning efficiently. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a well-maintained home.

published on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023