Home maintenance is an ongoing process. From raking leaves and replacing shingles to cleaning disposals and replacing batteries in smoke detectors, there’s always something to do around the house.
The following home maintenance checklist has items you can tackle now and throughout the year to keep your home running smoothly.
Monthly home maintenance checklist
Owning a home is an investment, and it’s important to have a plan to maintain it. Your monthly plan will focus on checking several interior and exterior items to ensure that they are in good working order and verifying the upkeep of the property. Let’s review key maintenance tasks you should be tackling on a monthly basis. [1]
Indoor home maintenance
Plan time each month to survey the interior of your home. Start by checking the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors. You’ll want to be sure those are always in good working order.
Next, focus on your fire extinguishers. Do you know where they are located and how to use them? Verify that they’re not expired and are ready to be used.
Dryer vent maintenance is important, so inspect that next. Does it need to be cleaned out? Lint buildup can impede the efficiency of your dryer and can also be a fire hazard.
Next, take a look at your dishwasher. Is it running smoothly? Also plan time to inspect and clean out your garbage disposal. Regular dishwasher and garbage disposal cleanings will help avoid unpleasant odors. [1]
Outdoor home maintenance
Once you’ve surveyed your home’s interior, plan a time each month to inspect the exterior of your home and property. First, survey the outside of your home by walking around your whole house. Did you notice any loose slates or shingles when you looked up at your roof? Are your gutters and shutters properly attached? How does the siding look? Did you notice peeling paint anywhere on the exterior?
Next, inspect your property surrounding your house. Are there any large, downed branches? That could signal an unhealthy tree. Is your landscaping and yard free of debris? Do you notice water pooling in your driveway on your property? Any of these symptoms could signal an issue that you’ll want to handle before it becomes a larger problem. [1]
Annual home maintenance checklist
Annual routine care and maintenance is essential to help preserve the value of your home and property. A yearly inspection will help you catch critical issues right away and catch smaller problems before they grow. Let’s review key maintenance tasks that you should be tackling on an annual basis. [2]
Indoor home maintenance
Start your interior home maintenance checks with filters. Many people are surprised to learn how many filters are in their home. Now is a great time to replace them: including air filters, furnace filters, water filters in your refrigerator and so on.
Next, check your refrigerator coils and clean them if needed. Excessive dust on the coils can prevent the unit from working properly.
Also be sure to inspect and flush your hot water heater to remove any sediment that has built up. If you’re unsure of how to do this safely and without damaging your water heater or surrounding area, consider consulting a professional.
Verify that your attic and pipes are properly insulated, especially if you live in the part of the country that sees a lot of snow, ice and cold weather.
Consider scheduling a professional to inspect your furnace.
Finally, survey your house by walking into every room. Take careful note of the ceilings and walls. Do you see any watermarks? It could indicate a leak that you’ll want a professional to handle. [2]
Outdoor home maintenance
Create an annual outdoor home maintenance plan. Start by scheduling the necessary inspections from the appropriate professionals.
You’ll want to schedule an inspection for your air conditioning unit so it’s all set for the spring. Also schedule a termite inspection.
Next on your list are things you can inspect yourself. Consider whether your driveway needs maintenance such as sealing or crack repairs.
Also look for cracks in your foundation, inspect the weather stripping on your doors and windows, and consider sealing wood decks and fencing.
Take a look at your roof from the ground level. Consider whether you’re seeing signs that your roof may need to be replaced, like curling, loose or damaged shingles, water damage or damaged flashing. If you have concerns, it’s best to hire a professional to get an expert assessment of your roof’s condition. [2]
As part of your home maintenance checklist, take some time to address your garage, too. These useful tips can help you get organized and improve your storage solutions in this space.
It’s also a good idea to plan a seasonal maintenance checklist for spring and fall. Spring tasks can include cleaning outdoor furniture and the grill, power washing your house, painting your home’s exterior or trim, and cleaning the gutters. Check out our useful prep tips.
Before winter weather strikes, it’s key to insulate your pipes, seal air leaks, seal up the attic, have your chimney inspected, and prune your trees and other landscaping. Review more winter maintenance tips here.
Frequently asked questions about home maintenance
How much to budget for home maintenance?
If you’re a homeowner, it’s important to budget for home maintenance, and specifically to have an emergency fund to cover unexpected, critical repairs. It’s best to have 3 to 6 months (or more) of your living expenses in an emergency fund. If you don’t have an emergency fund, consider setting aside a certain percentage of your take-home income each month until you’ve reached your goal. [3]
Should you seek a professional for home maintenance services?
While it may be tempting to complete all house maintenance on your own to save money, there are times when you should call in a professional. For example, you may be able to mow your lawn and tackle interior painting yourself. But many other tasks require the help of a licensed professional such as repairing appliances, installing flooring, or troubleshooting and resolving plumbing and electrical issues.
You may also choose to hire a professional for tasks such as gutter cleaning (to avoid getting on a ladder) or sealing a driveway (if you don’t own the equipment). Deciding to seek professional help for home maintenance depends on the specific job and your experience and comfort level with the task.
Also, it’s best to keep up with maintenance routinely to avoid larger potential costs that result from letting issues fester. Handling routine maintenance may help prevent minor problems from becoming major problems. [4]
Is home maintenance tax deductible?
Many homeowners believe they should be able to write off their home maintenance on their taxes. Thus, it’s important to distinguish between regular repairs, which are not tax deductible, and specific home improvements that may be. Improvements that add energy efficiency such as solar roof tiles and solar-powered water heaters can potentially be tax deductible. Also, improvements that are medically necessary such as installing ramps or adding a chairlift might be deducted as a medical expense. [5]
Help protect your home with home insurance
While taking care of your home maintenance can help protect your house from damage, the unexpected can still happen at any time. Be sure you’re covered with reliable home insurance from Nationwide.
Sources:
[1] “Annual Home Maintenance Checklist,” Emily Moore,
consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/maintenance-checklist.html (Accessed December 2024).
[2] “Yearly home maintenance checklist,” Marc McCollough, lowes.com/n/ideas-inspiration/home-maintenance-yearly-checklist (Accessed December 2024).
[3] “The Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist,” Erin Fox,
crosscountrymortgage.com/mortgage/resources/home-maintenance-checklist (Accessed December 2024).
[4] “The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season,” Jessica Bennett, bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/home-maintenance-checklist (Accessed December 2024).
[5] “Are home improvements tax deductible?” Capital One, capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/are-home-improvements-tax-deductible (Accessed December 2024).
Disclaimer:
The information included is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are services marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2025 Nationwide
