Maintenance#

Recurring upkeep organized by season and month, with weekly and monthly tasks at the bottom.

Spring#

March#

  • Mower readiness: oil change, sharpen blade, replace spark plug, fresh fuel, clean/replace air filter, clean deck, check tire pressure
  • Pressure washer readiness: pump oil change, inspect hoses and O-rings, check connections, flush pump
  • First lawn fertilizer application
  • Furnace filter change
  • HVAC tune-up (AC pre-season service)
  • Refrigerator coil and grille clean
  • Sump pump test
  • Gutter cleaning (early spring)
  • Test lawn drainage: check grading, downspout extensions, and runoff after rain
  • Landscape cleanout

April#

  • Carve edges
  • Tree and shrub trim
  • Overseed thin or bare patches (spring window)
  • Pressure wash house and sidewalk
  • New mulch
  • Dryer vent cleaning
  • Wash exterior and interior windows + screens
  • Ceiling fans: dust and set summer direction (counterclockwise)
  • Washer and dishwasher deep clean cycle
  • Pantry cleanout: check dates, restock, wipe shelves
  • Closet declutter and thin clothes (swap to spring/summer wardrobe)

May#

  • Exterior paint and caulk touch-up (after spring pressure wash)
  • Sidewalk edging
  • Deck inspect, clean, stain or seal as needed
  • Outdoor furniture clean and set out
  • Wash garbage and recycle bins (before summer heat)
  • Refrigerator water filter replacement

Summer#

June#

  • Lawn fertilizer
  • Preventive grub control (before mid-June egg-laying window)
  • Furnace filter change
  • Caulk inspection (kitchen, bath)
  • Grout sealing where worn

July#

  • Showerhead descale
  • Bathroom exhaust fan clean
  • Test GFCI outlets
  • Washer and dishwasher deep clean cycle

August#

  • Range hood filter degrease
  • Vacuum/clean refrigerator water pan area

Fall#

September#

  • Lawn aeration
  • Overseed thin or bare patches (primary window)
  • Lawn fertilizer
  • Furnace filter change
  • Sidewalk edging touch-up
  • HVAC tune-up (furnace pre-season service)
  • Chimney inspection / sweep
  • Wash exterior and interior windows

October#

  • Leaf cleanup
  • Roof and flashing inspection
  • Caulk and weather stripping inspection (windows, doors)
  • Ceiling fans: set winter direction (clockwise)
  • Refrigerator water filter replacement
  • Washer and dishwasher deep clean cycle
  • Pantry cleanout: check dates, restock, wipe shelves
  • Closet declutter and thin clothes (swap to fall/winter wardrobe)

November#

  • Final lawn fertilizer (winterizer)
  • Gutter cleaning (late fall, post leaf-drop)
  • Wash garbage and recycle bins (clean going into winter)
  • Mower winter prep: drain fuel or add stabilizer, disconnect/remove battery, clean deck, sharpen blade for next year
  • Pressure washer winter prep: drain pump, add pump saver/antifreeze, drain fuel or add stabilizer, disconnect and drain hoses
  • Drain and store outdoor hoses
  • Shut off and drain outdoor faucets
  • Replace smoke detector batteries

Winter#

December#

  • Furnace filter change
  • Water heater flush
  • Inspect attic for ice-dam signs after first storms

January#

  • Washer and dishwasher deep clean cycle
  • Mattress flip/rotate
  • Garage door lubrication and safety sensor test
  • Replace garage door keypad batteries
  • Check fire extinguishers (date and gauge)

February#

  • Oven deep clean (self-clean or manual)
  • Deep clean behind/around dryer
  • Vacuum HVAC return grilles and registers
  • Plan spring projects, order any tooling or materials

Monthly#

  • Test smoke and CO detectors (press test button)
  • Freshen garbage disposal (ice cubes + citrus rinds)
  • Wipe washer gasket and detergent drawer
  • Fridge cleanout: toss expired items, wipe shelves and drawers

Weekly#

  • Cat litter change
  • Mow lawn (growing season, Mar–Nov)