Guide · updated 2026-11-14

Home maintenance schedule by month

Most maintenance is not hard. It is just forgotten. This schedule spreads the work across twelve months so no weekend is overloaded. Adjust it to your climate: a Phoenix owner and a Minneapolis owner do not winterize in the same month.

Every month

Press the test button on smoke and CO alarms. NFPA and CPSC both advise monthly tests.
Check the HVAC filter and replace it if it looks gray and clogged. Many households change standard filters every one to three months.
Check under sinks and around toilets for drips or stains.
Look at the fire extinguisher gauge.
Run water in guest baths and rarely used drains so traps do not dry out.

January and February: indoors

Review last year's repair log and set this year's budget.
Test GFCI outlets with the test and reset buttons.
Check for ice dams, drafts and frost on windows. Note cold rooms for sealing in spring.
Clean refrigerator coils and the dishwasher filter.
Take a utility-bill reading. Unusually high winter water usage can indicate a leak; EPA notes that a family of four using far above typical monthly volumes may have serious leaks.

March and April: spring reset

Clean gutters and downspouts, and check that they drain away from the foundation.
Inspect the roof from the ground for winter damage.
Schedule air conditioner service before the first hot week; technicians book up.
Check the exterior: caulk, siding, paint, wood rot at the lower edges of doors and trim.
Turn outdoor faucets back on and look for leaks. Replace cracked hoses.
Take part in a leak hunt. EPA's Fix a Leak Week, held in spring each year, is a convenient reminder to check toilets for silent leaks with a few drops of food coloring in the tank.

May and June: outdoors and cooling

Clean the AC condenser area of leaves and trim plants back from it.
Inspect decks, railings and steps; probe suspect boards with a screwdriver.
Test the sump pump by pouring water into the pit.
Check window and door screens, and attic ventilation.
Drain a quart from the water heater if you follow the DOE three-month suggestion, and check the manufacturer's manual for the rest of the upkeep.

July and August: low-effort month

Clean the dryer vent and the duct run to the outside. Lint is flammable.
Check for pest entry points and wasp nests.
Inspect the garage door: lubricate rollers and test the auto-reverse sensors.
Clean and test the range hood filter and the bathroom exhaust fans.
Take a radon test if you have not done one. EPA recommends testing; short-term tests take a few days.

September and October: fall prep

Schedule furnace or boiler service before the first cold snap.
Replace the furnace filter and consider fresh batteries in alarms and thermostats.
Clean gutters again after the leaves drop.
Seal gaps around windows and doors. DOE publishes weatherization guidance for owners.
Reverse ceiling fans to the winter direction.
Drain and shut off outdoor faucets; store hoses.
Service the chimney if you burn wood, using a qualified chimney sweep.

November and December: closing the year

Check the emergency kit, flashlights, and the location of the main water shut-off.
Check smoke alarm dates. NFPA advises replacing smoke alarms every 10 years from the manufacture date on the back.
Gather receipts, warranty documents and the year's service log. Total what you spent so you can plan next year.
Update your list of big-ticket items and the replace-by years.

Every few years

Some jobs run on longer cycles: repainting exterior trim, resealing a driveway, re-caulking tubs, servicing a septic tank, replacing the washing machine hoses, replacing a water heater anode rod. Record the last-done date once so the next date is never a guess.

Make the schedule yours

A schedule on a web page is easy to nod at and forget. Put your own dates in a calendar or a tracker. The lelalune Home Maintenance Binder contains 69 recurring tasks with frequencies, DIY or pro tags and time estimates, and a Year Plan tab that spreads them over the months. If you are new to a house, begin with the first 90 days checklist.

General information, not professional advice. Timing varies by climate and by equipment; follow manufacturer instructions. Electrical and gas work belongs with a licensed professional.

Sources

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Written by lelalune/UYNOS; drafted with AI assistance and reviewed. Sources are linked above; wording is our own.

See the Home Maintenance Binder