Year-Round Home
Maintenance Calendar

Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate. Let faucets drip during extreme cold. Insulate pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.

Replace your furnace filter every 1 to 3 months during the heating season. A clean filter improves efficiency, lowers energy bills, and extends the life of your system.

After a heavy snowfall, check your roof edge for ice dams. Ice dams form when warm air escapes through the roof and melts snow, which refreezes at the edge. They can cause water to back up under shingles and leak into your home.

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees when you are home and awake, and lower it while you sleep or when the house is empty. Every degree you lower the thermostat saves about 1 percent on your heating bill.

Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly. Replace batteries at least once a year. Replace the units themselves every 10 years. Winter is the peak season for house fires.

Use a candle or incense stick to check for drafts around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Add weatherstripping, caulk, or door sweeps as needed. Drafty homes lose up to 30 percent of their heat.

Remove leaves, twigs, and debris from gutters and downspouts. Ensure water flows away from the foundation. Spring rains can overwhelm clogged gutters and cause basement flooding.

Look for missing, cracked, or curled shingles. Check around chimneys, vents, and skylights for damaged flashing. Use binoculars from the ground or hire a professional for a safe inspection.

Schedule a professional AC tune-up before the summer heat arrives. A well-maintained AC system runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and is less likely to fail on the hottest day of the year.

Rake the lawn, apply pre-emergent weed control, and test your soil before fertilizing. Prune trees and shrubs. Spring is the best time to reseed bare patches and prepare garden beds.

Clean windows inside and out to let in the spring light. Inspect window screens for tears and replace damaged ones before mosquito season arrives in South Jersey.

Winter freeze-thaw cycles can cause cracks in asphalt and concrete. Seal driveway cracks in the spring before they grow larger. Repair uneven walkways to prevent tripping hazards.

Check that your air conditioner is cooling effectively. Clean the outdoor condenser coil with a garden hose. Trim vegetation at least 2 feet away from the unit for proper airflow.

Check for loose boards, popped nails, splintered wood, and signs of rot. Clean and reseal the deck if needed. A well-maintained deck lasts years longer than a neglected one.

Seal cracks and gaps around the foundation, doors, and windows to prevent ants, termites, and other pests from entering. Schedule a professional pest inspection if you see signs of infestation.

Check sprinkler heads for proper coverage and adjust to avoid watering the sidewalk. Set your irrigation timer for early morning to minimize evaporation. South Jersey summer droughts can lead to water restrictions.

Proper attic ventilation reduces cooling costs and prevents moisture buildup. Check soffit vents and ridge vents for blockages. Ensure attic insulation is adequate and evenly distributed.

Test the garage door auto-reverse feature by placing a roll of paper towels in the door path. If the door does not reverse, the safety sensors or springs need adjustment. Call a professional for spring repairs.

Remove all leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Install gutter guards if you have heavy tree cover. Clogged gutters are the leading cause of ice dams and basement flooding in South Jersey.

Disconnect garden hoses, drain outdoor faucets, and shut off interior shutoff valves to outdoor spigots. Drain and blow out irrigation systems before the first freeze, typically in late October or early November in South Jersey.

Schedule a professional furnace or heat pump inspection and cleaning before the heating season begins. Replace the filter. A tune-up ensures your system is ready for winter and operating at peak efficiency.

Inspect and replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows. Re-caulk gaps where air leaks in. This is the most cost-effective way to reduce heating costs during South Jersey winters.

Have the chimney cleaned and inspected by a certified professional. Stock up on seasoned firewood. Check the damper and fireplace doors for proper operation. A chimney fire can destroy a home.

If you have a backup generator, test it before winter storms arrive. Run it under load to make sure it works. Check the oil, fuel, and battery. Stock extra fuel for an extended power outage.