Most expensive home repairs start as small, cheap problems that nobody noticed: a clogged filter, a gutter full of leaves, a slow drip. A little routine attention prevents a surprising share of emergency calls. Here's a season-by-season checklist, with the repairs each task helps you avoid.
Every month
- Check your HVAC filter, and replace it when it's dirty. Many 1-inch filters need changing every 1–3 months. A clogged filter strains the system and can cause an AC coil to freeze. Prevents: service calls, higher energy bills, early equipment failure.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Look under sinks for drips or water stains. Prevents: cabinet and subfloor damage.
Spring
- Schedule an AC tune-up before the first heat wave. Technicians catch weak capacitors and low refrigerant before they fail on the hottest day, when calls cost more and wait times are longer.
- Clear the outdoor AC unit. Remove leaves and debris, and keep plants at least a couple of feet away.
- Clean the gutters after trees finish shedding blossoms and seeds, and check that downspouts drain away from the foundation. Our gutter cleaning calculator shows typical costs by home height.
- Walk the foundation for cracks, gaps and signs of pests such as mud tubes (termites) or ant trails. See our guide to pest control contracts if you need service.
- Open the pool and have the water balanced before heavy use. Our pool cleaning calculator covers opening and service plans.
Summer
- Keep the AC condensate drain clear. Pouring a cup of diluted vinegar into the drain line access (if your system has one) can prevent clogs that cause water damage or shutdowns.
- Maintain pool chemistry weekly. Letting it slip for even a week in hot weather can turn the water green, and clearing it costs far more than routine care.
- Lubricate the garage door rollers, hinges and springs with a garage-door lubricant, and test the auto-reverse by placing a board on the ground in the door's path. Prevents: spring wear and opener strain.
Fall
- Schedule a furnace tune-up before the first cold snap. Technicians check the igniter, flame sensor and heat exchanger, and a tune-up is the best time to catch a safety problem.
- Clean the gutters again once most leaves have fallen. Prevents: ice dams, overflow and foundation water damage.
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off exterior faucets from inside if your home has shutoffs for them. Prevents: frozen and burst pipes.
- Flush your water heater. Draining a few gallons from the tank's drain valve removes sediment that shortens its life. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Seal gaps around pipes and doors. Rodents look for warm shelter in fall.
- Close the pool properly in cold climates to avoid freeze damage to plumbing and equipment.
Winter
- Keep the heat at or above about 55°F even when you're away, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during hard freezes.
- Know your main water shutoff. See our plumbing emergency guide.
- Watch for ice dams along the roof edge, which often point to gutter or attic insulation problems.
- Check the furnace vent and air intake outside so snow doesn't block them on high-efficiency furnaces.
Once a year
- Test your main water shutoff valve so it doesn't seize.
- Replace rubber washing machine hoses with braided steel hoses if they're more than a few years old.
- Check the water heater's temperature and pressure relief valve per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Note the age of your major equipment. It's the first thing to check when you're deciding whether to repair or replace.
Is professional maintenance worth it?
An annual HVAC tune-up usually costs less than a single diagnostic call. It can also help keep your equipment warranty valid, since many manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance. For most homes, one AC and one furnace tune-up per year is enough. Our HVAC calculator shows what repairs cost when things do go wrong.
Frequently asked questions
How often should gutters be cleaned?
At least once a year, and twice for homes with overhanging trees, typically in late spring and late fall.
Can I do most of this myself?
Yes. Filters, hoses, sink checks, lubricating the garage door and single-story gutters are all DIY-friendly. Leave gas appliances, garage door springs, roof work and electrical work to professionals.