The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist (Monthly, Seasonal, Annual) — Basement to Attic

Owning a home is like owning a small city: air, water, power, drainage, machines, and a roof that has to survive every storm. The good news is that most expensive home problems don’t start as emergencies — they start as small, forgettable maintenance tasks.

How to use this checklist (the easy way)

• Pick a schedule: monthly + seasonal is enough for most homes.
• Start with the “Big 5” systems: HVAC, water heater, plumbing leaks, dryer vent, gutters/drainage.
• Don’t aim for perfect — aim for consistent. Small consistency prevents big bills.

The Big Idea: small neglect becomes big cost

Think of home maintenance like brushing your teeth. Brushing is boring. Root canals are expensive. Home maintenance works the same way: a $10 filter change can help you avoid a $1,000 repair — because equipment that can “breathe” and drain properly lasts longer.

The 5th-grade version:

• A dirty HVAC filter is like trying to breathe through a pillow. Your system works harder and wears out faster.
• Sediment in a water heater is like sand in a kettle. It takes more energy to heat water and can shorten the heater’s life.
• A clogged dryer vent is like a stuffed straw. The dryer overheats and can become a fire risk.
• Clogged gutters are like a broken umbrella. Water ends up where it shouldn’t — including your basement.
• Dirty fridge coils are like running a marathon in a winter coat. The fridge works harder and can fail sooner.

Quick Start: the highest-impact checklist (do this first)

If you only do a few things, do these. They protect the most expensive systems and the most common failure points.

• Check HVAC filter monthly; replace if dirty (at minimum every 3 months).
• Test smoke alarms monthly; replace alarms per guidance (often 10 years).
• Check under sinks/toilets/water heater for leaks (look + touch).
• Clean dryer lint trap every load; inspect/clear vent path regularly.
• Walk the exterior after heavy rain: gutters flowing, downspouts draining away.
• Test GFCI outlets monthly (especially bathrooms, kitchen, garage, exterior).
• Flush/maintain water heater on a schedule (at least yearly for many homes).

The full homeowner maintenance schedule

This is the “basement to attic” version — organized by frequency so you can drop it into reminders.

Monthly (15–30 minutes)

• HVAC: check air filter (replace if dirty). Also listen for new noises and confirm air is flowing normally.
• Safety: test smoke alarms + carbon monoxide alarms (test button).
• Electrical safety: test GFCI outlets (press TEST then RESET).
• Plumbing: do a “leak scan” (under sinks, behind toilets, around water heater, laundry hookups).
• Dryer: clean lint screen every load; monthly, clear lint around the dryer and confirm the outside vent flap opens.
• Kitchen: check fridge/freezer temps; wipe door gaskets; clean the range hood filter if it’s greasy.
• Bathrooms: run exhaust fan and check airflow; look for caulk/grout cracks that let water sneak behind walls.
• Basement/crawl: check for dampness, musty smell, or standing water; confirm sump pump pit is clear (if you have one).

Quarterly (every 3 months)

• Replace HVAC filter if you haven’t already (3 months is a common minimum baseline).
• Refrigerator: clean condenser coils if dusty/pet hair heavy (or follow your manufacturer guidance).
• Dishwasher: remove/clean filter (if your model has one) and run a cleaning cycle.
• Washing machine: run a tub-clean cycle (or cleaning tablet) and inspect hoses for bulges/cracks.
• Water: check for slow drains; clear hair/debris from sink/tub stoppers before it becomes a clog.
• Exterior: trim plants away from siding/AC condenser; confirm dryer/bath vent terminations outside are clear.

Seasonal (Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter)

Spring (post-winter reset)

• Clean gutters and confirm downspouts push water away from the foundation.
• HVAC: prep cooling season (clear debris around outdoor unit; schedule service if needed).
• Basement: test sump pump before heavy rains (pour water into pit to trigger float, if safe).
• Exterior: check grading and low spots where water pools near the house.
• Windows/doors: inspect weatherstripping and re-caulk obvious gaps.

Summer (heavy-use season)

• Clean/replace AC filters more often if you’re running nonstop.
• Inspect deck/railings/steps for looseness or rot; address before parties and foot traffic.
• Check irrigation hoses/spigots for leaks; fix drips (they add up fast).
• Pest check: look for ant trails, wasp nests, or entry points around vents and soffits.

Fall (prepare for heating + storms)

• Clean gutters again (leaves = clogs).
• HVAC: prep heating season (filter + service if needed).
• Fireplace/chimney: schedule inspection/cleaning if you burn wood (annual is a common recommendation).
• Dryer vent: deep-clean lint path and venting (or book a pro).
• Exterior faucets: disconnect hoses; winterize as needed for your climate.

Winter (freeze + indoor air season)

• Keep vents and exhaust terminations clear after snow/ice.
• Watch for ice dams/icicles and attic condensation signs (water stains on ceilings).
• Check indoor humidity (too high can cause condensation/mold; too low feels awful).
• Confirm carbon monoxide alarms are working (fuel-burning season).

Annual (once per year)

• Water heater: flush/drain per guidance to reduce sediment buildup (frequency varies by water hardness).
• HVAC: full system checkup/maintenance (especially before peak season).
• Dryer vent: full vent cleaning (lint buildup is a leading factor in dryer fires).
• Plumbing: exercise main shutoff valve and verify it actually shuts water off (know where it is).
• Exterior: roof-from-ground scan (missing shingles, lifted flashing, sagging gutters) and repair small issues early.
• Safety: review fire extinguisher pressure/date; refresh your “where’s the shutoff?” knowledge.

Every 1–3 years (or by system)

• Septic: inspect every 1–3 years; pump on a typical 3–5 year cadence (varies by household).
• Radon: test your home (and re-test after major remodels or if you finish a basement).
• Caulk/grout refresh: bathrooms and kitchens as needed (water is the silent destroyer).

Basement-to-attic walkthrough (what to look for)

Once per season, do a 10-minute walk. You’re hunting for early warning signs.

Basement / Crawlspace

• Musty smell, damp walls, or white powder on masonry (moisture signals).
• Sump pump area clear; check for stuck float or debris.
• Water heater area dry; no rust streaks; no damp pan.
• HVAC ducts intact; no disconnected joints blasting air into the void.

Kitchen

• Under-sink leaks; slow drips; swelling cabinet floor.
• Range hood filter not clogged with grease (it’s doing its job).
• Dishwasher filter/door seal clean; no standing water smell.

Laundry

• Washer hoses not bulging or cracking; replace proactively if old.
• Dryer vent path not crushed/kinked; lint not accumulating behind unit.

Bathrooms

• Toilet “rocking” or slow leak around base (subfloor damage risk).
• Exhaust fan pulls air (hold a tissue to the grille — it should stick).
• Cracked caulk/grout around tub/shower; fix before water gets behind tile.

Attic

• Look for water stains on rafters or insulation (roof leak evidence).
• Bathroom vents should terminate outside (not into the attic).
• Signs of pests (droppings, nests) and blocked soffit vents.

Why “just skipping it” costs more (simple examples)

Example 1: HVAC filter

If the filter is clogged, airflow drops. That makes the system run longer to do the same job. Longer run time = more wear and higher energy use. A cheap filter is not the expensive part — the expensive part is the equipment working harder than it needs to.

Example 2: water heater sediment

Sediment settles in the bottom of the tank like sand. The heater has to heat through that layer, which can reduce efficiency and create noise (popping). Flushing on schedule is one of the simplest ways to protect the tank.

Example 3: dryer vent lint

Lint is basically fuel. If it builds up in the vent, the dryer can’t push hot air out. That means overheating risk and longer dry times — which also means higher bills and more wear.

Example 4: gutters

Gutters are supposed to move water away from your house. If they clog, water spills down the siding and pools near the foundation. That’s how a “small” gutter problem turns into a basement moisture problem.

How Dwelluno fits into this (so you don’t rely on memory)

The hardest part of maintenance isn’t doing the tasks — it’s remembering what you did, when you did it, and what’s next. Dwelluno is built to make that automatic:

• Attach maintenance schedules to the exact asset (HVAC, water heater, appliances).
• Set reminders you can trust (monthly/seasonal/annual cadence).
• Save proof: invoices, photos, model/serial, warranty terms, and service history.
• Export a clean history for resale, insurance, or future troubleshooting.

Note: This guide is general education, not professional advice. Always follow manufacturer instructions and local codes. If you smell gas, see sparking, have a flooded electrical area, or suspect carbon monoxide, leave and call a pro.