Florida Home Maintenance Checklist

Take care of your home and it will take care of you.

Protect your investment with this home maintenance checklist.

Do you remember the last time you had your car serviced? Whether it was a major repair or a run of the mill oil change, you can probably remember when it was.

Can you say the same for your home?

It might surprise you to know that our homes need to be maintained the same as anything else you own. Your house is likely the most valuable thing you own; it might be time to start treating it as such.

Read on to find out what types of maintenance you should be doing on your home, and how frequently it should be done.

Monthly

1. Replace your HVAC filters – (This can go quarterly if you don’t have a large house or family.) Replacing the filter ensures your HVAC can work properly and provides cleaner air for you and your family.
2. Perform a plumbing check – Flush all of your toilets and run all your sinks and showers. Check for any leaks, paying special attention to any faucets that are not routinely used.
3. Check your circuit breakers – Click each one on and off and make sure that they’re functioning properly.
4. Clean your disposal – Freeze vinegar in an ice cube tray and drop them down the drain with your disposal on. Not only will they clean, deodorize, and disinfect your disposal, but the cubes sharpen the blades, too!
5. Test your GFCI outlets – Press the “test” button and you’ll hear a small click. Any appliances plugged into the outlet should stop working at this time. Then press “reset” and the outlet should be functioning normally again. If your GFCI fails to cut or restore power, call an electrician.

Quarterly

1. Check for leaks – Checking for leaks is an important quarterly assessment that everyone should do. Make sure you’re able to get up under your sinks to check the pipes (and for water damage) and check around your toilets as well. The back of the toilet can be hard to see so make sure you bring your flashlight.
2. Test your smoke detectors – Push the “test” button to make sure all smoke detectors (and carbon monoxide monitors) are working. Replace the batteries if they aren’t functioning properly.
3. Survey your ceilings – This can be the first place that water leaks show up, so keep an eye above you. A good rule of thumb is to take photos of your ceilings, that way you can spot any changes before they become a major problem.
4. Lubricate your garage hinges – Lubricating them ensures a quiet closure and also extends the life of your garage door.
5. Clear your gutters – Clearing your gutters can keep water flowing away from your roof and help to avoid standing water. Standing water attracts mosquitoes so make sure those gutters are clean!

Annually

1. 1. Drain your hot water heater – Over time, hot water heaters can accumulate a layer of sediment (especially in Florida where we tend to have hard water), leading to clogs and malfunctions. We know it’s hot in Florida but we doubt anyone wants a cold shower!
   2. Replace smoke alarm batteries – Regardless of how your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors perform in their quarterly tests, you should stick a set of fresh batteries in every year.
   3. Clean your dryer vent – Dryer vents that are not maintained or that get clogged can cause a house fire. Kits like this provide easy means to sweep out all that vent dust or you can hire a professional company.
   4. Seal up any cracks – Over time, caulking tends to dry up, dissolve, or pull away from their surrounding areas. A caulking gun is a quick, affordable, easy way of weatherproofing your home.
   5. Seal windows and doors – It’s important that they are both sealed properly to keep the bugs and water out, and keep your expensive A/C inside.
   6. Deep clean your home – While you probably clean your home on a regular basis, an annual deep clean can really help maintain your home. For one, a clean home can ward off bugs. Bugs alone can cause irreversible damage to a dwelling. For a deep clean, make sure you wash your walls, window sills, scrub under the cupboards, and clean the baseboards. It might take a while but it will be worth it in the end.
   7. Have your A/C serviced – People up north might be able to get away with servicing their HVAC system less frequently than Floridians, but that’s because they don’t need it as much. In the summer, with the humidity and heat, homes can reach degrees of 90+. You don’t want to be stuck inside a home that is hotter than outside. A/C companies can come out and inspect your system, warn you of potential issues, and make recommendations. Alternatively, you can go over our DIY HVAC maintenance checklist to get your system up to par.
   8. Check your hurricane supplies – In Florida, it is always best to be prepared. If you have a generator, make sure it’s working and that you have a good gas supply for it. Check for batteries, flashlights, a weather radio, water jugs, and canned food. If you like to use plywood for windows, make sure they fit properly. Checking for these supplies (and refilling them if needed) is just as important as the other things you would do to maintain your home.

Conclusion

Proper home maintenance goes beyond taking pride in your home. It’s about keeping your investment, belongings, and family safe from harm.

If you haven’t kept up with this home maintenance checklist, don’t worry, there’s no better time than now. We recommend getting an inspection from EDC Professional Inspections to get a good idea of the current condition of your home.

We will be able to tell you any problem areas in your home, what you should prioritize to fix, and what can wait a while. Our inspection reports are thorough, easy to understand, and can help you get everything in working order.

Call us today to schedule your home inspection.