Ultimate Home Maintenance Guide: Essential Tips for Protecting and Preserving Your Custom Home

Maintaining your home might seem like a big task, but with a clear and organized approach, it’s entirely manageable. Regular care will help preserve the health, performance, longevity, and resale value of your home.

Monthly Home Maintenance Tasks

Beyond the regular cleaning and tidying of your home, there are a few monthly tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly:

• Clean range hood filters (follow manufacturer instructions or soak them in degreaser and warm water).
• Freshen up your sink disposal (use lemon slices or frozen vinegar ice cubes).
• Test garage door sensors.
• Check GFCI outlets.
• Maintain your pool on a weekly basis.

For a comprehensive guide covering year-round home maintenance tasks, you can download our FREE Custom Home Maintenance Checklist.

Quarterly Home Maintenance Tasks

Certain home maintenance tasks don’t require monthly attention but should be done at least quarterly:

• Replace HVAC filters.
• Clear leaves and debris from your HVAC condenser.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Run water in seldom-used bathrooms (flush toilets and run taps).
• Schedule quarterly pest control service.

Semi-Annual Home Maintenance Tasks

Every six months, take care of the following to keep your home in top shape:

• Deep clean your home.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils to enhance efficiency and longevity.
• Clean out your clothes dryer exhaust duct.
• Dismantle and clean sink traps (curved pipes) to remove obstructions and buildup.
• Hire an HVAC specialist to clean condensate drain lines and check for duct leaks.

Annual Home Maintenance Tasks

There are several tasks that should be completed annually, organized by season to make them more manageable:

• Spring: Inspect exterior drainage, roofing, and gutters.
• Summer: Check siding, foundation, windows, and weather stripping.
• Fall: Maintain landscaping, irrigation systems, and grout/mortar.
• Winter: Inspect plumbing, screens, front doors, chimneys, and HVAC systems.

For a full list of annual maintenance tips and tasks, download our Custom Home Maintenance Checklist.

Long-Term Home Maintenance Tasks

Some larger maintenance tasks don’t need to be done annually, but they are crucial for the long-term preservation of your home:

• Every 3 Years: Repaint all exterior trim, including siding, window casings, door casings, and soffits.
• Every 5 Years: Inspect all stone elements for large cracks in mortar or caulk and seal them to prevent water penetration.
• Every 10 Years: Repaint exterior stucco and check/replace overflow pans for HVAC air handlers and water heaters.

When you’ve invested in a beautiful custom home, protecting that investment is essential. Proper maintenance not only safeguards your home but also extends its life, allowing your family to enjoy it for many years to come!