Complete Home Maintenance Checklist by Season

Keeping up with home maintenance is overwhelming when you don't know what to do or when. This checklist covers the essential tasks across every major system — drawn from the same 180-task database that powers SeasonKeep's personalized calendars.

Print it, bookmark it, or better yet, let us turn it into a schedule tailored to your specific home.

Spring (March – May)

Spring is the busiest maintenance season. Winter has stressed your home's exterior, and warm weather opens the window for outdoor projects.

HVAC

• Schedule an annual HVAC tune-up. A professional service in spring catches refrigerant leaks, worn belts, and dirty coils before cooling season.
• Clean evaporator coils. Dust buildup reduces efficiency and can freeze the coil.
• Clean the outdoor condenser unit. Remove leaves, grass clippings, and debris that accumulated over winter.
• Check refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant forces the compressor to work harder.
• Review your thermostat schedule. Switch from heating to cooling settings.

Plumbing

• Check water pressure. High pressure (above 80 psi) stresses pipes and fittings.
• Test the main water shutoff valve. Turn it fully closed and open — valves that sit unused for years seize.
• Inspect outdoor hose bibs. Look for drips or cracks from freeze damage before connecting hoses for the season.
• Test sump pump operation. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and confirm the pump activates and drains completely.
• Check the water meter for hidden leaks. Turn off all water, note the meter reading, wait 30 minutes, and check again.

Roof and Gutters

• Clean gutters and downspouts. Remove winter debris so spring rains drain properly instead of pooling near the foundation.
• Do a visual roof inspection from the ground. Look for missing, curled, or cracked shingles with binoculars.
• Inspect roof flashing. Check around chimneys, vents, and skylights for gaps.
• Check downspout extensions. Ensure water discharges at least four feet from the foundation.

Exterior

• Inspect siding for damage. Look for cracks, warping, or signs of moisture infiltration.
• Check exterior caulk and sealant. Re-caulk around windows, doors, and siding-to-trim joints.
• Fill driveway and walkway cracks. Water seeps into cracks, freezes, and widens them each winter.
• Power wash the exterior. Clean siding, walkways, and the patio to remove mold, mildew, and winter grime.

Safety and Pest Control

• Test smoke and CO detectors. Press the test button on every unit and replace batteries.
• Inspect fire extinguishers. Check the pressure gauge and ensure the pin and tamper seal are intact.
• Schedule an annual pest inspection. A professional checks for termites, carpenter ants, and moisture-related pests.
• Apply perimeter pest treatment. Treat the foundation exterior before insects become active.

Landscaping

• Start up the irrigation system. Open valves slowly, check each zone for broken heads, and adjust spray patterns.
• Aerate the lawn. Core aeration relieves compaction and lets water and nutrients reach the roots.
• Apply spring fertilizer and weed preemergent. Preemergent must go down before soil temperatures hit 55°F.
• Refresh mulch in garden beds. Maintain a 2–3 inch layer to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Summer (June – August)

Summer is lighter on maintenance. Focus on keeping systems running efficiently and addressing anything that surfaces during heavy use.

HVAC and Appliances

• Replace the HVAC air filter. In summer's peak, check monthly — every 2 months with pets, every 3 without.
• Clean refrigerator coils. Dusty coils force the compressor to run longer, increasing energy bills.
• Deep clean the dryer lint system. Clean beyond the lint trap — vacuum the vent duct to prevent fire hazards.
• Clean the dishwasher filter and spray arms. A clogged filter reduces cleaning power.

Exterior and Landscaping

• Inspect the deck for loose boards or popped nails. Summer foot traffic exposes wear quickly.
• Check the dryer vent exterior cap. Ensure the flap opens freely and isn't blocked by lint or debris.
• Maintain lawn mower blades. Dull blades tear grass, making the lawn vulnerable to disease.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Empty standing water from saucers, gutters, and unused containers weekly.

Pool and Outdoor Systems

• Test pool water chemistry weekly. Balance pH, chlorine, and alkalinity to prevent algae.
• Clean pool skimmer baskets. Empty weekly — more often during storms or heavy leaf fall.
• Inspect the pool pump and filter. Listen for unusual noises and check the pressure gauge.
• Treat the lawn for grubs. Apply preventive treatment in late June or early July before damage appears.

Fall (September – November)

Fall is about winterization. Every task here protects your home from cold-weather damage and prepares heating systems for heavy use.

HVAC

• Schedule a fall HVAC tune-up. Have the furnace or heat pump inspected before heating season begins.
• Calibrate the thermostat. Verify the displayed temperature matches an independent thermometer.
• Lubricate the blower motor. Reduces friction, noise, and energy consumption.
• Inspect drive belts. Cracked or frayed belts can snap mid-winter, leaving you without heat.
• Inspect the furnace flue pipe. Check for corrosion, gaps, or obstructions.
• Bleed radiators. If you have hot water radiators, bleed trapped air so they heat evenly.

Plumbing

• Flush the water heater tank. Drain sediment that reduces efficiency and accelerates corrosion.
• Winterize outdoor faucets. Disconnect hoses, close interior shutoff valves, and drain.
• Check pipe insulation. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas — garage, crawl space, attic.
• Inspect washing machine hoses. Look for bulges, cracks, or weeping at connections. Replace every 5 years.
• Test the water heater TPR valve. Lift the lever briefly — water should flow and stop when released.

Roof, Gutters, and Exterior

• Clean gutters after leaf fall. The most important gutter cleaning of the year — clogged gutters cause ice dams.
• Check attic ventilation. Proper airflow prevents moisture buildup and ice dam formation.
• Inspect shingles for granule loss. Check gutters for granule accumulation — a sign the roof is aging.
• Chimney sweep and inspection. Clean creosote buildup before fireplace season and inspect the flue liner.
• Check door weatherstripping. Replace worn strips to prevent drafts and reduce heating costs.
• Inspect attic insulation depth. Add insulation if it's below the recommended R-value for your climate zone.

Landscaping and Pest Control

• Winterize the irrigation system. Blow out lines with compressed air before the first hard freeze.
• Trim tree branches near the house. Remove limbs within 10 feet of the roof to prevent storm damage and pest access.
• Apply fall lawn winterizer. Late-season fertilizer strengthens roots for spring green-up.
• Seal pest entry points. Mice and insects seek warmth — caulk gaps around pipes, vents, and foundations.

Winter (December – February)

Winter maintenance is mostly indoor and monitoring-focused. The goal is catching problems early before spring.

HVAC and Safety

• Replace the HVAC air filter. Heating systems run constantly — check monthly in cold climates.
• Check heat pump defrost cycle. The outdoor unit should defrost automatically. Ice buildup means the cycle is failing.
• Check boiler pressure and water level. Pressure should read between 12–15 psi when cold.
• Test CO detectors near heating equipment. Carbon monoxide risk peaks when heating systems run around the clock.
• Audit extension cord usage. Holiday lighting and space heaters overload circuits — verify wattage ratings.

Plumbing and Interior

• Clean drains preventatively. Flush each drain with hot water and baking soda to prevent slow buildup.
• Replace range hood filters. Grease-saturated filters reduce ventilation and increase fire risk.
• Clean dryer vent duct. Lint accumulation is a leading cause of residential fires — clean every 6 months.
• Check for ice dam formation. If icicles form at the eaves, improve attic insulation and ventilation before next winter.
• Review your home emergency kit. Replace expired batteries, medications, and food supplies.

Planning and Preparation

• Maintain the lawn mower during off-season. Change oil, replace the spark plug, and sharpen blades before spring.
• Check the sump pump. Pour water into the pit to confirm it activates — spring snowmelt will test it heavily.
• Plan spring projects early. Contractors book up fast — schedule deck sealing, exterior painting, or roof repairs now.

Turn This Checklist Into a Plan

This list covers the essentials, but every home is different. Your climate zone, home age, installed systems, and features all change which tasks matter and when they should happen.

SeasonKeep takes your home profile and generates a personalized calendar with every task scheduled to the right month — complete with cost estimates, difficulty ratings, and reminders.

Get a personalized version of this checklist for your specific home →