Not only does home maintenance save money, but it also saves you energy expended stressing about home issues. The frustration and anxiety of having your fridge break before a family gathering, a roof leak at the beginning of spring or a furnace failure as temperatures start to dip often gets compounded by the worry of how to afford a repair.

Home Maintenance Tasks For Every Season

Tackling these seasonal maintenance tasks with the help of a top-rated professional will keep your residence comfortable all year long. Here’s a season-by-season guide on what to take care of and when.

Fall
Get ready for cooler temperatures and house guests in the fall with preventative home maintenance.

• Clean out gutters. Toward the end of autumn and before major freezes, hire a professional gutter cleaning service to remove all the leaves and debris from your gutters to avoid buildup.
• Have a pro check out your heating system. Ensure your furnace, boiler and/or HVAC system operate well to avoid unexpected cold nights, frozen pipes or emergency repair costs by hiring an HVAC professional to inspect it.
• Inspect and clean your roof and chimney. Patch holes, clean debris and prep your roof and chimney for the cold weather rolling in. Chimneys need to be professionally swept at least once a year to help prevent chimney fires.
• Clean your crawl space or attic. Clean out debris and inspect for pest infestations and mold. Consider weekly or monthly maintenance as the season progresses to avoid unexpected issues.
• Prep your lawn for winter. Depending on your yard, decide if and when you need to fertilize, aerate, mow or water your lawn. Or, you can hire a professional to decide and perform the work for you.

Winter
In the winter, focus on interior projects to avoid colder temperatures and prep for holiday guests.

• Have your hot water heater and septic tank inspected. A professional plumber can take a look at your home’s water heater and septic tank to prevent unwanted issues like frozen or clogged pipes.
• Protect your home from the elements. Put a rug or carpet down in the entryway to catch tracked-in mud and slush, and consider weatherstripping doors and windows to save on energy bills.
• Get your home professionally cleaned. While you’re busy buying the perfect gifts and planning your holiday menu, a house cleaner can take care of deep cleaning your kitchen, powder rooms, and any guest rooms that might see more foot traffic during the holidays.

Spring
Spring signals a refresh both inside and outside the home. Focus on repairing damage from winter weather and prepping the yard for outdoor living.

• Fill cracks before they spread. Cracks in the sidewalk and driveway can affect a home’s foundation. Be sure to fill cracks in the spring before they spread and cause extensive damage.
• Repair weather damage. From doors and windows to patios, roofs, decks, and even siding, inspect and fix your home’s interior and exterior for water-warping, insect damage or natural wear and tear.
• Clean gutters. As nature thaws and spring brings showers, downspouts and gutters should be cleared of leaves and debris to protect your home’s foundation. Hiring a professional to help with this task can save you a ton of time and help you avoid potential safety hazards that come with climbing up to reach your gutters.
• Landscape. Prep your lawn mower and weed wacker, identify dead or rotting grass, and decide if you’ll need to fertilize your lawn.
• Check irrigation and drainage. Search for leaks, inspect proper water pressure, ensure sprinklers point towards the lawn and away from non-grass spaces and confirm drainage won’t negatively affect your foundation as the ground thaws.

Summer
Homeowners may enjoy outdoor living in the summer months, meaning exterior home maintenance is all the more important.

• Pressure wash your home’s exterior. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, pressure wash your home’s exterior, sidewalks, driveway, patio and/or deck.
• Paint your home’s exterior. Warm temperatures and drier weather are the perfect time to refresh your home’s paint — whether you choose to repaint the whole exterior or change the color of your shutters.
• Maintain your garage. Don’t forget to service your garage door. Oil the door’s hinges, inspect the door opener and its chain, remove grime and debris and test electric openers.
• Clean your pool. If you have a pool, weekly pool maintenance is a must. Skim the surface for debris, vacuum the bottom of your pool and check the chemicals and water quality.
• Service your air conditioner. Servicing your AC before temperatures heat up is as important as servicing your furnace before winter arrives. Get an AC inspection to ensure everything works well and won’t need replacing or repairing during the stifling summer heat.