Do you own a large or multiple properties? Are you finding it difficult to juggle maintaining your home and personal life? Well, it shouldn’t have to be a concern anymore. Paying a considerable amount of remuneration can help you hire seasonal home maintenance services.
A home inspection will ensure your property is in working order. Also, the professional service will evaluate whether your home complies with legal standards.
Understanding a property’s functionality is a multi-step process. Having a home maintenance checklist can help experts compare the condition of the house.
If any problems are found during the inspection, the experts will inform the homeowners. It will thus enable them to take necessary measures, including repairing or replacing any elements of the house.
From heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system failures to overflowing gutters, home inspectors analyze all these problems. They can range from costly repairs to minor replacements.
Often, the problems home inspectors find during an inspection vary from one season to another. To prevent any surprise upkeep costs, get help from professionals who will follow a well-timed home maintenance checklist.
If you want to find out what is included in a seasonal home maintenance checklist, then you’ve come to the right place.
This blog outlines the seasonal checklist for home inspection, which professionals can follow to conduct an effective home inspection. Furthermore, it will provide information about the cost of home maintenance and its importance.
Why is Home Maintenance Important?
For a healthy, long life, you get regular health check-ups. To extend your house’s lifespan, consider routine maintenance.
While it is easy to keep a small home in check, maintaining a large or multiple properties is challenging. For proactive maintenance, you can choose home inspection services.
They would perform routine maintenance year-round to ensure a well-functioning home. The home inspectors would identify the most common problems in home inspections. These may include:
- Mold deposition in ceilings
- Overflowing gutters
- Dysfunctional HVAC systems
- Frayed electrical wires
Identifying these issues can ensure safety and prevent costly repairs and replacements. Besides evaluating the potential concerns of your property, regular home maintenance also helps:
• Increasing the Value of Your Home
Homes are the biggest investment, and you should think of them as a resale. When prospective buyers look at your property, they expect it to be well-maintained, with landscaping, painting, and small repairs.
The presence of mold in a house is likely to reduce your chances of selling your house. Routine inspection in such scenarios will help prevent mold in vacant homes. And even if there is an occurrence, you can take necessary measures.
• Validating Home Insurances and Warranties
Regular home inspections are your core responsibility as a homeowner. Since you may not have the skills to assess the problems, you can hire home maintenance services.
They will follow a seasonal home maintenance checklist to identify underlying problems that may compromise your home’s functionality. Once you identify the issues, there is a chance your insurance policies will cover maintenance, repairs, and replacements.
• Saving Money and Reducing Secondary Damage
Regular home maintenance inspections catch small problems before they become bigger, more costly repairs. The home inspector would visit your house and conduct a quick scan of your property to identify any issues.
For instance, during a routine inspection, the home inspector may find a small hole in the roof. If you get the information and decide to neglect the problem, it may lead to a larger crack, inviting pollutants or a cool breeze into the property in chilly winters, destroying expensive furniture and appliances.
• Improving Safety
Homeowners who are away from their property can also run routine maintenance checks. It will minimize the risk of fire accidents.
For example, you return home after a vacation and expect it to be in good condition. Hiring home inspectors can ensure that the electric meter is read while away. Also, they play an important role in checking smoke alarm systems and ensuring your house is in the same condition as when you left.
How Much Does Home Maintenance Cost?
Once you understand the importance of home maintenance, you can consider investing in it to improve the property’s aesthetics and safety. In-home maintenance, inspections, and repairs influence the cost.
Typically, the estimate for home maintenance is around $350 or over $16,000 annually. The older the home, the higher its maintenance cost.
Also, to save you from costly repairs, the maintenance will include home inspections. For that, you may wonder: How much does a home inspection cost?
It generally depends on the size and type of the property. On average, the cost to inspect a home ranges from $200 to $500. An old house in a prime location with a high cost of living will require more maintenance than a new home.
Once the home inspection is complete, the findings will reveal which elements require the most attention and which don’t. And by attention, we mean repairs or replacements.
With more repairs, the cost of home maintenance will significantly rise. Furthermore, when a home requires expensive repairs, such as rewiring or replacing HVAC filters, the maintenance cost will also be steep.
To ensure thorough home maintenance, you can invest in reliable home inspection services. Conduct extensive research to understand what tasks they cover.
For instance, you can hire home maintenance services that take photos/videos and write a detailed report after an inspection. Furthermore, they will follow a seasonal home maintenance checklist to compare the condition of your house.
By analyzing such reports, you can ensure that the elements are repaired thoroughly. With these repairs, you can increase your property’s value and ensure the safety of your occupants.
Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist (add Interior & Exterior with every season)
After getting an estimate of home maintenance costs, you may want to consider seasonal maintenance. Of course, swapping out wardrobes is important, but the tasks go beyond that.
To ensure your house is in perfect condition, a routine home inspection is crucial. As it can be difficult to understand home maintenance standards, seeking professional help can make your life easier.
They will follow a checklist for home inspection and cover all the areas for potential seasonal repairs. It will therefore save you money on expensive maintenance and keep your property in good condition.
From checking for pollen stuck in the ceilings during the spring season to assessing cracks in the shingles, the seasonal home maintenance checklist covers a range of tasks to prevent chilly winter winds.
Here you will find out maintenance tasks that are included in the interior and exterior checklist for home maintenance, as per the seasons:
Winter Season
Winters in Arizona arrive like a surprise, and the cold breeze often leaves behind lasting damage to the house. Following a home maintenance checklist in winter will prevent weather-related wear and tear, as well as plumbing and heating issues.
What are the tasks on the home interior maintenance checklist for winter?
The winter home maintenance checklist includes tasks that ensure your house is in good condition on the inside. The following are the tasks that you and professionals should follow for your home inspection and maintenance:
• Checking the heating system:
Inspect the furnace and vents. Upon finding any issues, it is essential to replace the filters to keep the energy use in check.
• Reviewing fire safety measures:
Winters mean spending more time indoors by the fireplace. The checklist will include evaluating the smoke detectors, removing leftover ash, and inspecting chimneys to ensure flues are clear.
• Sealing drafts and weather stripping:
Assess cold spots around windows and doors. Once you find these spots, replace or add sealants to prevent heat loss and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Checking attic insulation and exposed plumbing:
Take a tour of the attic to inspect any uneven insulation that could allow warm air to escape. Ensure any open pipes are wrapped, especially around exterior walls, to prevent freezing.
What are the tasks for the exterior home maintenance checklist in winter?
The exterior checklist will cover tasks to ensure home maintenance on the outside. From gutter cleaning for winter to trimming trees around the house, a wide range of tasks can make your house winter-ready:
• Cleaning gutters and checking the roof:
Clogged gutters are a common problem in the winter season due to heavy leaf fall. As you identify the problem, clean the debris and flush the downspouts so the drainage flows away from the foundation.
• Draining outdoor faucets and storing hoses:
The task involves shutting off outdoor water lines and hoses. It will help protect pipes and valves from cracking as temperatures drop.
• Trim trees around the house:
Inspect overhanging branches that may break due to ice buildup or winter storms. Ensure cutting these branches to protect the property from damage during unpredictable winter conditions.
Spring Season
After the winter season, spring sets its full bloom. The season determines how well a house will be affected by unexpected weather in the upcoming months. As professionals follow a home inspection checklist, it can help reduce long-term wear and protect your financial standing from costly repairs.
What are the tasks on the home interior maintenance checklist for spring?
The interior checklist for the spring season will focus on dusting ceilings, inspecting HVAC systems, cleaning carpets, and more. Let’s elaborate on the tasks to ensure good home maintenance:
• Replacing HVAC filters:
Allergen buildup can disrupt HVAC system performance. Ensure that old filters are replaced with new filters to run the system more efficiently.
• Inspecting plumbing for leaks:
Check near the appliances, under the sink, and around the toilets for moisture or mildew. Addressing them early can help prevent water damage and repair costs.
• Dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures:
Clearing away pollen improves the air quality in the living space.
• Deep cleaning rugs and carpets:
Even in spring, winter dirt may still settle in rugs. The season calls for deep cleaning rugs and carpets for seasonal gatherings.
What are the tasks for the exterior home maintenance checklist in spring?
Moisture in the spring season can dull the appearance of the house. To maintain its aesthetics and functionality, following a home maintenance checklist is essential. The tasks for the checklist to protect the exteriors of the house include:
• Washing hardscape and siding:
Pressure-washing exterior walls and patios can give the house a clean appearance. Also, it detects potential damage early.
• Evaluating sprinklers and irrigation systems:
Professionals inspect every zone of your house for broken leaks. As they find damage to the irrigation systems and sprinklers, you can call maintenance personnel to make the repairs.
• Preparing outdoor spaces:
Ensuring furniture and patios are clean. It will prevent the elements from cracking or wearing.
• Redoing paint and sealing wood surfaces:
Assess peeling areas to ensure a touch-up. It will prevent moisture from entering the house and slow the spread of rot.
Summer Season
Long, intense sun can push the home’s limits. The results can be so detrimental that they make it difficult to maintain the house effectively. With a checklist, you can inspect the interiors and exteriors of your property to protect its integrity.
What are the tasks for the interior home maintenance checklist in summer?
Home maintenance during the summer includes checking insulation, swapping air ducts, and running exhaust fans. These small details can prevent costly damage and enhance your home’s functionality. In the interior home maintenance checklist, the tasks involve:
• Checking attic ventilation:
Attic spaces trap summer heat. To ensure the heat is at bay, clear the vents.
• Managing moisture and humidity indoors:
Extreme humidity can cause mold growth and damage a property’s integrity. Ensure running exhaust fans to prevent moisture from entering appliances or the house structure.
• Inspecting weatherstripping around windows and doors:
Cooling systems cannot function well when there are gaps in the seals. To trap the cool breeze in the humid weather, inspect the gaps, and replace the stripping.
What are the tasks for the exterior home maintenance checklist in summer?
Your home maintenance on the outside will involve checking the pool systems and monitoring the foundation. Performing these responsibilities will not only extend your house’s lifespan but also increase its value in the real estate market. In the summer home maintenance checklist, the exterior tasks include:
• Inspecting pool and water systems:
Houses with pools require the utmost maintenance during the summer months. Check the filters, chemical levels, and remove debris to offer a clean appearance and a well-functioning water system.
• Wash patios, driveways, and siding:
Look for grime on them. Use a pressure washer to clear the areas to reduce long-term surface damage.
• Checking the foundation and soil gaps:
Droughts can pull soil from the house slab. As a result, cracks appear in the foundation. When you inspect such a problem, replace the area with soil to protect the foundation.
Fall Season
As autumn approaches, so do new home maintenance priorities. With a thorough home inspection, you can detect seasonal damage and keep the repair costs low. The home maintenance will include interior and exterior checklists to improve the safety and effectiveness of your home.
What are the tasks on the home interior maintenance checklist for autumn?
Fall home maintenance prepares the property for winter. From checking attic insulation to deep cleaning storage areas, there are numerous tasks that you can include in the checklist. They are as follows:
• Inspecting attic insulation:
Check for sagging or thinning insulation. These are the signs of roof leaks or ventilation issues. Ensure to replace the insulation or fill the gaps to maintain indoor comfort and save on energy bills.
• Sealing windows and doors:
Drafts can get inside through tiny gaps. Assess worn seals and reapply weather stripping where necessary.
• Cleaning and reorganizing storage areas:
Clearing out unused items can make room for important commodities. For that, fall is an ideal time. Check for broken appliances or batteries, and dispose of them properly.
What are the tasks for the exterior home maintenance checklist in autumn?
The shedding of leaves around the house can clog gutters during the fall. Ensure these elements remain clean to prevent water from entering the foundation. Other than that, the exterior home maintenance checklist follows:
• Wash walkways and exterior walls:
Remove algae, mildew, and dirt that accumulate on walkways and exterior walls during the summer. As you clean the areas, hidden fissures will be revealed, allowing you to fix them early.
• Cleaning roofing materials:
Hire professionals to inspect the roofing. When they find out curling shingles or visible gaps, you can address these problems to save costly damage.
• Shutting off and draining outdoor faucets:
Ensure the water supply to hoses and outdoor faucets is cut off. Using foam insulation on the fixtures prevents cold snaps from damaging them.
Ensure Timely Home Maintenance with Desert Dogs
With a seasonal home maintenance checklist in hand, you can protect the property from costly repairs. Also, it keeps the property valuations accurate.
As the checklist may include numerous inspection duties, it would be easier if you hired a service to handle the process. With proper documentation and photos, the professionals will give you a clear picture of what requires your attention and what does not, in terms of house maintenance.
At Desert Dogs, we have on our team to provide effective home watch and maintenance services. Our experts ensure to thoroughly inspect your house when you call them.
They check every nook and cranny to find out maintenance issues that can help you prevent costly repairs. At an affordable price, we provide home watch like no other!
Check out our home watch services for prompt maintenance throughout the season.
FAQs
1. What Home Maintenance Tasks Matter the Most?
Home maintenance is a challenging process. It involves various tasks that ensure the smooth functioning of a house. The crucial home maintenance tasks include routine HVAC system filter changes, inspecting/cleaning the roof and gutters, and replacing battery units to ensure safety from fire accidents.
2. Should you bring in a professional for seasonal home maintenance?
Yes, as an owner of a large or multiple properties, calling in the professionals can be helpful. With a reliable home maintenance service like Desert Dogs, you can ensure regular inspections of your HVAC systems, plumbing, roofing, and foundation.
3. How Often Do You Actually Need to Deep Clean Your Home?
To extend the longevity of your house, consider deep cleaning once or twice a year. But with frequent rainfall or harsh winter conditions, it is essential to deep clean your home every 3 to 4 months.
4. How does professional home winterization take place?
To conduct a professional home winterization, individuals will run inspections and maintenance. They will check the plumbing, HVAC, roofers, and chimney sweeps to prepare the house for cold weather, mostly to prevent overall damage.
5. What tasks are included in a vacant home insurance checklist?
In a vacant home insurance checklist, professionals include regular maintenance and security. These tasks mitigate the risks of accidents, pollutants entering the property, and burglary. From checking window panes to installing cameras, the checklist includes various maintenance tasks.
