Home Maintenance Checklist

Owning home isn’t a “set it and forget it” endeavor.  The better you take care of your home the longer you can go between repairs and replacements that cost a lot of money.  Your home will also be at less risk of fire or accidental flood if you’ll take good care of it.  Below is my personal checklist of home maintenance tasks based on frequency.  I hope you find it helpful.

Quarterly Tasks

• Replace air filters (might be needed every 1-2 months)

Bi-Annual (twice per year) Tasks

• Spray A/C compressor coils (with water hose nozzle)
• BBQ grill inspection and maintenance
• Pour 50/50 chlorox & water mixture down A/C air handler drain pipe – to help eliminate mold and mildew build-up.  Ask your A/C repair guy which pipe is the right one.
• Silicon spray internal door hinges that squeak
• Replace water filter in refrigerator – if have one
• Replace water filter in coffee maker

Annual Tasks

• Lemon oil treatment for front door – if have natural, stained wood door and especially if it gets sun exposure
• Silicon spray garage door wheels and joints
• Touch-up paint on walls
• Check toilet – working parts inside bowl
• Clean glass light fixtures (remove to clean inside)
• Clean glass on paintings/artwork
• Clean under refrigerator and washer/dryer.
• Vacuum the refrigerator coils – if exposed on the back (might need to remove a panel to gain access)
• Vacuum under furniture and beds
• Check caulking around showers and sink areas
• Check fire extinguishers for appropriate pressure
• Test smoke alarms & replace backup batteries
• Rotate or flip matresses
• Clean coffee pot with vinegar (run 2-3 cycles with 1-2 cups of vinegar, then a few with water)
• Audit the yard irrigation system (each zone and head) – might need to remove spray cap and clean the filter and some might need to be replaced because they aren’t popping up and dropping down correctly (try applying Vaseline to the shaft for a temporary solution)
• Clean interior windows
• Check water heater for rust (especially on top and around hose fittings)
• Full garage cleaning (take everything out to sweep and spray hose the floor, donate/trash items, clean cobwebs from ceiling)

Every 2-3 Years

• Touch-up paint on floor and door trim
• Clean exterior windows
• Check and repair exterior caulking around windows, siding, doors
• Clean base boards

Every 5 Years

• Front door treatment (Fine sandpaper/steel wool & polyurethane) – if natural, stained wood door
• Check/replace water supply lines for all toilets (also sinks and washing machine if not 100% metal fittings and supply line) – plastic fittings can get brittle over time and crack, causing pressurized water to spray into your house

Author: Gordon Daugherty

Gordon Daugherty is a best-selling author, seasoned business executive, entrepreneur, startup advisor and investor. He has made more than 200 investments in early-stage companies and has been involved with raising more than $80 million in growth and venture capital. From his 28-year career in high tech, Gordon has both an IPO and a $200-million acquisition exit under his belt. Now, as co-founder and president of Austin’s Capital Factory and as author of the book “Startup Success”, Gordon spends 100 percent of his time educating, advising, and investing in startups. View all posts by Gordon Daugherty