Whether you have just moved into a new home or you have been living there a while, it’s always good to have a plan for staying ahead of home maintenance tasks and projects without being overwhelmed. At Alair Homes Houston, we LOVE a good schedule! So we put together some of our best ideas and tips that we use for our homes (and recommend to our clients as well) in a handy month-by-month schedule.
January – Change your HVAC Filters
It’s probably been a while hasn’t it? Depending on the filter type, you will need to change these every 30 to 180 days, more often if you have pets or someone with allergies. So change them out this month and set a reminder in your phone or calendar to stay on top of this task (per manufacturer recommendations) all year long. Bonus project: vacuum out your return air grates with a shop vac each filter change to ensure everything is clean and ready to go.
February – Clean Windows and Repair Screens
Fresh clean windows can really make a huge impact…you probably don’t realize how dirty they are! You can tackle this project yourself by using glass cleaner or distilled white vinegar on the interior and a handheld or telescoping squeegee. You can also purchase special cleaners and attachments for outdoor use that hook right to your garden hose.
March – Refresh and update landscaping
As the weather gets nicer, everyone begins sprucing up their yards for the spring. This is a great time to fertilize your grass and re-mulch those flower beds. Get those gardening gloves on and pull weeds, trim hedges, cut back those crepe myrtles and maybe plant some fresh flowers. March is also the perfect time to start a small raised bed garden (Tomatoes grow well in the hot Houston weather) that can be enjoyed all summer long.
April – Power Wash exterior of home and Driveway
There’s something very satisfying about power washing isn’t there? We love seeing the old look new and clean again, it’s an instant facelift for your home! Whether you do this yourself or hire it out, make sure that you only power wash areas that will not be damaged by the powerful spray. For some types of siding, a siding cleaning kit attached to a garden hose is recommended instead of power washing.
May – Schedule an HVAC checkup
It goes without saying that a functional HVAC unit is critical to survival through a Houston summer! Call and get on the schedule for a maintenance check of your units by a certified specialist – it’s worth the upfront cost to avoid costly repairs and the inconvenience of no AC in the Houston heat! Bonus project: Remove debris and cut back any foliage from around the outdoor unit. Hose it down to ensure dirt, debris and insect nests are cleared away.
June – Clean out and repair gutters
Most people will clean out their gutters in the late fall after the leaves have fallen off most trees, which is a great regular practice. But we recommend that gutters be cleaned out at least twice a year. You will want to ensure those gutters are clean, downspouts clear and the gutter guards or covers are intact and haven’t been damaged. Our reasoning is that here in Houston, whether it is a mid-summer shower or a gulf coast hurricane, you will want those gutters working year round.
July – Deep clean the floors
Shampoo those carpets, shine those wood floors and scrub that tile grout! This may be a job for a professional in some cases, but make sure that you research and avoid companies that use harmful chemicals for pets and children.
August – Treat for pests
Hire an exterminator to treat your home for insects, termites and other pests. Consider treating your lawn as well to help cut down on the mosquitos, grass fungus and chinch bugs. If you haven’t already, get a quarterly pest control contract in place to ensure that your home is protected year-round.
September – Do a thorough home inspection
At least once a year you should have a good once over of your whole home to ensure there are no hidden issues popping up. Catching these early can avoid costly repairs and damage! Some suggested tasks are checking for: dripping faucets, water spots on the ceiling, pooling in the water heater drain pans, holes in the exterior siding or major cracks in the driveway. Test all GFCI outlets and visually examine the roof flashing and vent/chimney caps.
October – Get Winter ready
Yes we know, Houston doesn’t have much of a winter, but there are a few tasks that we recommend that will keep your home in good shape through the colder months. First off, your grass likely will be going dormant soon, so shut off and drain your irrigations system ahead of the first freeze. Schedule a furnace check with your HVAC company and consider having your chimney checked and cleaned, even if you don’t use it often (birds really love making nests in there!)
November – Check and replace batteries in your smoke detectors
Replace the batteries at least once a year and make a reminder for yourself to test the detectors monthly. Usually a test can be performed by pressing and holding the button on the face of the detector for several seconds until the alarm sounds. And remember, smoke detectors have a normal life span of 10 years, according to the USFA. Even if you’ve performed regular maintenance, and your device is still functional, you should replace a smoke detector after the 10-year period or earlier, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
December – Spruce up for company
Whether you have company coming to stay or you have piles of clutter that is driving you crazy….take some time this month to tackle those little projects you have been putting off all year. Recycle old magazines and junk mail, organize your garage, touch up the paint in the kid’s bedroom hallway, toss expired food from the pantry and clean out those closets. Bonus project: Make a box of unwanted items to donate to a local charity. It could be a huge help for someone during this season and an end-of-year tax deduction for you!
While this list is not exhaustive of all the tasks needed to maintain a home, it will certainly be a great start and reminder throughout the year. We hope you enjoyed and found this helpful. If we at Alair Homes Houston can be of further help or you are considering building a home in the future, please give us a call. Living better starts here in 2019!