Your home may be the largest investment you will ever make. Protect that investment with a well planned maintenance schedule. To help you during the planning process we at Homeward Bond Home Inspection have put together a list of items you may want to start with.

To make it easy for you we have identified five tasks in each month that should be done. We have also identified some tasks that should be done monthly and quarterly in addition to the tasks listed for each month. However before you start with a normal maintenance routine you need to first review your home inspection report.

In your report your inspector has identified any item that may require immediate improvement. These items should be addressed before you do anything else on your home.

The next thing you should address is what we call the Critical Five. These are five tasks that may help save your life in the event of an emergency.

Make a list of all emergency contact numbers and place it by every phone in your house.
Place smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom, major hall way and on every floor of your home.
Place fire extinguishers in the kitchen, utility room, and on every floor of your home.
Prepare then share, an emergency escape plan and rehearse it.
Inspect your home for possible hazard causing problems and remove them. (i.e. overloaded electrical circuits, debris placed around furnace and water heater, poorly vented heaters, blocked entryways, etc.)

Now that you have taken care of the items identified in your report and you have completed the Critical Five it is time to develop a maintenance schedule for your home. Every home is different, the items we have provided here have been identified to meet the requirements of the average home and our Michigan climate. Your home may have maintenance requirements that are not represented on this schedule, so please use this list as a guide for creating your own customized maintenance schedule.

The following items should be preformed on a monthly basis.

MONTH MAINTENANCE

Test and inspect smoke, heat and gas detectors.
Check fire extinguishers. Replace or have serviced those that need it.
Check to be certain nothing flammable is near a source of flame, such as a water heater pilot light, gas range, furnace, etc.
Practice family fire-escape plan and review tornado preparedness.
Inspect electrical cords for damage. Repair or replace if needed.
Check the operation of all electrical circuit breakers by turning each off and on. Do the same with ground fault circuit interrupters, usually found in bathroom, kitchen, garage and outdoor outlets. Replace those not working properly.
Check water softener. Add salt if needed.
Clean garbage disposal by grinding up two trays of ice cubes made from a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar to 1 gallon of water. (Be certain to use the disposer cap when grinding.) For a pleasant odor follow the cleaning by grinding a lemon.
Check sump pump and pour water into it so the float works; clean out any debris.
Check furnace filter. Clean or replace if necessary.
Clean lint from clothes dryer vent.

There are some items that should be preformed each month during a given season. Those items have been listed in the following table.

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE

	Winter - Make sure there is not excessive ice build-up on the roof or gutters, if so consider having it professionally removed. Water levels in humidifiers should be checked for proper function and adjustment monthly during the heating season. Inspect all exterior vents, remove any snow, ice or debris blocking air flow and repair if necessary.
	Spring - Inspect basement walls for seepage Check the grade for settling or erosion, standing water and drainage problems. Water should drain away from your house on all sides. Check attic and foundation vents for damage caused by animal intrusions such as squirrels, raccoons or birds nesting.
	Summer - Look around the house for pests and problems i.e. wasp and hornet nests; termite tunnels. Clear excessive growth and debris away from air conditioning compressor and the roof of the house.
	Fall - Clean gutters of leaves and other debris that will hamper drainage and may promote rusting. Inspect crawl space after rain for accumulation of water, as well as for indications of water damage on the sub-floor and joists beneath bathrooms, kitchen and laundry. Look for signs of pest or dry-rot damage. Inspect basement walls for seepage.

Every home requires general maintenance. The good news is that much of it can be scheduled out over the year so that it does not become an overwhelming set of tasks. We have taken the task generally require to keep an average home maintained and assigned them into the month that they should be completed. To view the tasks assigned to each month click on the name of the month.

Home Maintenance Calendar

January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

January

Make a resolution to better maintain your home.
Check all stairway hand rails and secure if needed.
Locate squeaky stairs, floors, doors and repair.
Patch dings in wallboard and woodwork.
Maintain your indoor air cleaner or furnace filter.

February

Clean condenser coils or fins beneath or behind the refrigerator according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make certain air flow around the appliance is adequate.
Check for signs of moisture condensation on the windows.
Inspect underside of roof for frost in the attic.
Clean out and defrost the refrigerator, freezer and oven/range.
Inspect and service clothes dryer, cook top or stove, dishwasher, refrigerator water filter, trash compactor, countertop appliances, exhaust fans, etc., according to manufacturers' recommendations.

March

Remove stopper and clean drain plugs from all sinks and tubs.
Check for leaks at water turn-off valves at outdoor faucets, bathrooms, kitchen bar, garage, etc.
Inspect grout and caulk around sinks, tubs and showers. Repair or replace damaged areas.
Clean underside of range hood and clean or replace filters.
Replace storm doors and windows with screens and make repairs when needed.

April

Inspect roof, looking for loose, missing or damaged roofing materials. If you have access to the underside of the roof, check during a heavy rain for leaks.
Replace batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Do this when you set the clock ahead to daylight-saving time.
Do spring cleanup. Wash walls and windows; clean carpeting, upholstery, woodwork, floors and window coverings.
Check doors and windows for proper operation. Lubricate hinges and tighten loose hinge screws. Apply clear wood floor wax to door edges that rub.
Clean all lint from your dryer vent.

May

Trim branches around the roof line to keep animals off the roof.
Remove accumulated mineral deposits from shower heads and aerators by soaking them in or scrubbing with white vinegar. (Wear eye protection.)
Clean and service central or window air conditioners, attic fan and install window units Check operation of attic fans. If attic space is accessible, make certain that attic insulation is not blocking air flow through vents.
Repair damage to porches, decks, i.e. loose nails or warped wood, refinish if necessary.
Reset programmable thermostat for the summer.

June

Clean lint from the dryer drum to where the air is vented outdoors.
Caulk open joints, particularly around windows and doors.
Turn water supply to humidifier off , close damper, clean system.
Inspect siding and trim and make repairs when necessary. Hose down and wash siding.
Check exterior walls for cracks, peeling paint or other damage. Touch up peeling paint on the exterior of the house.

July

Run water from the bottom drain of your water tank until the water turns clear.
Clean ceiling fan.
Check window and patio doors for easy operation; lubricate track
Patch holes or dents in exterior finishes.
Paint high traffic areas like hallway or bathroom.

August

Clean underside of range hood and clean or replace filters.
Clean condenser coils or fins beneath or behind refrigerator, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Replace your refrigerator's water filter.
Patch cracks in asphalt and seal driveway.
Inspect and service garage door opener.

September

Remove stopper and clean drain plugs from all sinks and tubs.
Inspect heating system and maintain thermostat. Service furnace or boiler, and humidifier.
Have a professional clean the fireplace chimney; clean ash dump and make sure the damper closes tightly.
Replace screens with storm windows and door panels.
Install weather-stripping and caulk around doors and windows.

October

Replace batteries of smoke, heat and gas detectors. Do this when you set the clock back to standard time.
Get your humidifier up and running. Remember to turn on the water, open the damper and adjust the humidistat.
Take out window air conditioners and cover central air conditioner.
Remove the garden hose from outside spigot.
Clean out the garage and remove anything that might freeze i.e. paint, caulks, adhesives from unheated sheds or garage.

November

Maintain plumbing fixtures and water appliances i.e. aerators, garbage disposer, dish washer, clothes washer, water treatment system.
Clean refrigerator coils, range hood vent and clothes dryer vent.
Shut off water to washing machine and remove water supply hoses. Check washers. Replace hoses that are damaged, including where fittings are badly corroded. Check the owner's manual for any other maintenance recommendations.
Clean floor register grills.
Disconnect the garage door opener to lubricate hardware and inspect for wear. Springs on overhead doors should be adjusted by a qualified service technician.

December

Fire up the snow blower and check for proper operation. If you use an ice melter make sure it is concrete/asphalt safe.
Service clothes dryer, cook top or stove, dishwasher, trash compactor, countertop appliances, exhaust fans, etc., according to the manufacturers' recommendations.
Clean underside of range hood and clean or replace filters.
Check electrical system making sure bathroom, kitchen, garage and outdoor circuits are grounded and protected by GFCI.
Wood stove chimneys and flues should be checked for creosote build-up and cleaned at least annually (more frequently depending upon use).