First Time Homebuyer - Send me your favorite maintenance list!

[Lanthiriel]

Hello DIYers! The husband and I are buying our first house (a little 1100 sq foot ranch) and want to make sure that we are doing all of the proper maintenance to cut down on our lifetime costs. There are a lot of apps and downloadable lists and websites out there about what you need to do on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. However, a lot of them say things like replace your furnace filter every month, which seems both unnecessary and unMustachian. I am hoping you would be able to share your favorites or post your own home maintenance list. If it helps, we live in Alaska, so we don't have AC or window screens or other warm weather stuff to worry about (but don't let that stop you from posting!).

[Matt J]

Furnance filters monthly is correct, use the cheap ones, they are better for the furnace. The expensive "3 month" ones actually clog faster reducing your air flow.

Take care of any leaks etc as they come up. Dont let them linger.

Dont forget to clean the fridge coil every so often especially if you have pets.

most of the other stuff is seasonal here, treat for bugs, weeds, etc.

[Spork]

water heaters:
for tanks, drain them once a year.  But if you have a cheap plastic hose bib on that thing, beware.  You may very well turn it on and never be able to turn it off.  (Make sure your replacement has a proper brass hose bib!)

for electric tanks: check and possibly replace the sacrificial rod.  (Probably check it once a year.)

for tankless: flush with white vine vinegar once a year.  (Cheap bilge pump and some hose.)

[zoltani]

I am interested in this as well. So far I have just been doing the things that pop up and would love to get ahead of some of the typical maintenance.

The honeywell filters that my furnace takes (3" think ones) say they are good for 6 months. Is this not to be believed? It is a high efficiency gas furnace. Just heat, no AC around here.

[Matt J]

you can get a cheap plastic whistle that fits through the filter and makes noise when the filter is clogged. my last electric company sent me one in the mail.

[wileyish]

Just (and I mean JUST TONIGHT) learned this one the hard way: clean your washing machine filter regularly, especially if you have pets. My filter was so plugged up with dog fur the machine stopped draining. It was a very messy lesson, but now I have a “Clean the *&^@ing filter” reminder on my Google calendar.

[sol]

Furnance filters monthly is correct

Where in the hell do you live that you require monthly furnace filter replacement?

To the OP and anyone else who cares, you can pull your furnace filter and check it for yourself.  If it's dirty and discolored, or has visible accumulation, it probably needs to be replaced.  Don't just adopt someone else's schedule until you know how often your house actually needs it.

Around here I get about three months out of a filter, and that's only counting months of actual use.  I don't replace it at all between May and October when the furnace is off.  I can get away with two changes during the heating season, three if I'm really on top of things.

Also keep in mind that depending on your furnace design, running with a dirty filter might reduce your furnace efficiency by an amount that costs you less than a new filter would.  If your filter costs $30 and your heating bill is only $30 extra per month in the winter, then even a crazy 50% reduction in airflow from a dirty filter is probably financially preferable to monthly filter changes.

[Syonyk]

Unless you end up having to replace the blower motor early because of the load from the clogged filter...

A good idea when you get a new home is to weatherize it.  Find where it leaks, and seal up those holes.  Replace weatherstripping around doors if it's not in good shape, and generally make it as tight as you can (don't worry, it'll still leak plenty to get you fresh air).  You can get foam gaskets to go behind outlet covers/light switch covers, caulk window frames & foundation gaps, and save a lot on heating/cooling.

I'm also a big fan of having the ability to run the furnace blower separate from the furnace to move air, if you don't have that capability already.

[Matt J]

Furnance filters monthly is correct

Where in the hell do you live that you require monthly furnace filter replacement?
If your filter costs $30 and your heating bill is only $30 extra per month in the winter,

Where in the heck do you live that your air filter is $30? Mine are like a dollar and a half! I buy the whole box of 12 when I go get them at Ace. Save the trip.

Yes, if you run your house fan less, then you might not need monthly (outside of heating and cooling seasons), and if you dont have pets, you may also be able to go longer. also, if you air inlet is in the ceiling vice floor level, they will last much longer.

[Spork]

Another HVAC item:   If you have an air conditioner... pour about 1/2 cup of bleach down the drain line about once a month during the season you're running it.  This will keep mold/mossy gunk from growing.   You should have 2 drain lines per unit... one usually goes to waste plumbing and a second (an overflow) will drain somewhere prominent outside.

[pagoconcheques]

Clean out (ream or vacuum) your dryer exhaust periodically to optimize air flow and reduce the risk of fire.  Just check it every three months or so until you need to clean it out then set that interval in your reminder.  I do it every six months. 

Replace smoke detector batteries every six months. 

I just use my smart phone calendar (syncs with my Outlook) to set up recurring events for all these intervals.  It also helps to synchronize them as much as possible (like doing the smoke detector batteries and cleaning the dryer exhaust at the same time). 

[zoltani]

Clean out (ream or vacuum) your dryer exhaust periodically to optimize air flow and reduce the risk of fire.  Just check it every three months or so until you need to clean it out then set that interval in your reminder.  I do it every six months. 

Replace smoke detector batteries every six months. 

I just use my smart phone calendar (syncs with my Outlook) to set up recurring events for all these intervals.  It also helps to synchronize them as much as possible (like doing the smoke detector batteries and cleaning the dryer exhaust at the same time).

Thank you for the reminder to vacuum out the dryer exhaust, I've been meaning to do that! 

[MetalCap]

Gutter cleaning March, June and October (post leaves)

Seal those leaks!

[Blonde Lawyer]

I'm going to mildly threadjack.  For those of you with central heat/air, how often do you have your ducts/vents cleaned?  We have pets and have been in our house 3 years, plus I doubt the old owners did it, so I think we are overdue.  However, the cost is surprisingly high and it doesn't seem to be something we can DIY.  Anyone here DIY or find a way to make it cheaper?

[MooseOutFront]

I'll follow this thread for ideas.  I could do a better job of routine maintenance.

[MetalCap]

BL,

Unless you're experiencing severe allergies or a significant raise in energy/heating costs, this isn't needed.  The duct registers and return filter should show you the condition your HVAC is in.  Also that said most of the issue in dirty ducts are from a dirty house (clean it to just get dirty again).

If you have concerns of a specific register, it's easy enough to take that off and use a flexible light to determine it's cleanliness.

TLDR if your filter is normal and you get airflow out of all registers, it's not needed.

[Spork]

I'm going to mildly threadjack.  For those of you with central heat/air, how often do you have your ducts/vents cleaned?  We have pets and have been in our house 3 years, plus I doubt the old owners did it, so I think we are overdue.  However, the cost is surprisingly high and it doesn't seem to be something we can DIY.  Anyone here DIY or find a way to make it cheaper?

I've never had ducts cleaned ever.  (I have done easy things like vacuumed the registers or take them off and vacuum behind them).

I've seen mixed thoughts on whether duct cleaning is effective or not -- some of which thought it was totally ineffective and a waste of money.  I can't say I know enough to have a strong opinion there, but I've never done it and always had houses full of pets and have had houses where I did a ton of dusty DIY projects.  When I have suspected issues, I just changed my filters more often until they stopped getting filthy in a short time.

[pminkler]

I adopted most of this list (whateverr applied) http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/08/keep-your-house-in-tip-top-shape-an-incredibly-handy-home-maintenance-checklist/.  Seems like a lot to me as a first time home buyer (especially a duplex), but I've gotten into a nice groove.  I also use Rememberthemilk's todo list to repeat X task over Y days/months so I can keep track of it all.

[ria1024]

I adopted most of this list (whateverr applied) http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/08/keep-your-house-in-tip-top-shape-an-incredibly-handy-home-maintenance-checklist/.  Seems like a lot to me as a first time home buyer (especially a duplex), but I've gotten into a nice groove.  I also use Rememberthemilk's todo list to repeat X task over Y days/months so I can keep track of it all.

That looks like a good one.  The thing I would add is to test all your water shutoff valves and circuit breakers every 6 months; they can get stuck or break when not used for several years.

[Lanthiriel]

I adopted most of this list (whateverr applied) http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/08/keep-your-house-in-tip-top-shape-an-incredibly-handy-home-maintenance-checklist/.  Seems like a lot to me as a first time home buyer (especially a duplex), but I've gotten into a nice groove.  I also use Rememberthemilk's todo list to repeat X task over Y days/months so I can keep track of it all.

Ooh, this is a good one! Thanks to everyone who's thrown out some great ideas.

[andrea-stache]

This is my household TO DO list by month.  I removed the reminders for annual physicals, eye doctors, dentists, etc. 

January

Car #2 Inspection
Clean cupboards
Clean Fridge & vacuum coils
Mower service (sharpen blades, change spark plugs, change oil)

February

Clean Hutch
Clean Keurig
Taxes
Kids room clean outs (old toys, old clothes)

March

Seal all Granite
Clean Kitchen tile floor and seal


April

Flip mattress
Clean hot tub and cover
hose spigots on, replace sump plug
Wax cars
clean garage

May

Plant annuals
power wash and re-seal patio
seal tight driveway
Garage door maintenance - see book
Clean windows, curtains and ceiling fans once pollen ends

June & July

Relax and enjoy summer!

August

Car #1 inspection
Back to school prep
Clean Keurig

September

Drain hot water heater
plant grass seed & aerate
trim shrubs
wipe down baseboards
call for flu shot appts

October

Vacuum window tracks
clean dryer vent
flip mattress
hot tub cover
wax cars

November

trim ornamental grasses
hose spigots off, hoses in, remove sump plug
planters in

December

relax and enjoy holidays!

[Le Poisson]

I may have missed it, but make a point once a year to go for a roof walk.

I do this late in October, after the leafs have fallen but before its too cold out. During the walk I will:

• Make sure that flashing around chimneys/pipes, etc. is in good condition.
• Check that nothing has made a home in the eaves (Squirrels, birds, chipmunks) and knock down any yellowjacket nests I find.
• Make sure leafs and debris are cleaned out of the gutters.
• Check that exposed nail heads are all caulked and no shingles are broken/missing.
• and finally, I hang the Christmas lights while I'm up there. If I feel like hanging them that year. Which my wife often tells me I do.

[Le Poisson]

I'm going to mildly threadjack.  For those of you with central heat/air, how often do you have your ducts/vents cleaned?  We have pets and have been in our house 3 years, plus I doubt the old owners did it, so I think we are overdue.  However, the cost is surprisingly high and it doesn't seem to be something we can DIY.  Anyone here DIY or find a way to make it cheaper?

I've never had ducts cleaned ever.  (I have done easy things like vacuumed the registers or take them off and vacuum behind them).

I've seen mixed thoughts on whether duct cleaning is effective or not -- some of which thought it was totally ineffective and a waste of money.  I can't say I know enough to have a strong opinion there, but I've never done it and always had houses full of pets and have had houses where I did a ton of dusty DIY projects.  When I have suspected issues, I just changed my filters more often until they stopped getting filthy in a short time.

CBC Canada did a Marketplace piece on duct cleaning not long ago. After seeing it I realized that it isn't the process that is flawed, it is the operators. Many of them seem to just scam the homeowner without doing the work, however if you hire a reputable outfit and inspect their work, it can make a difference.

Here is the tv show if you care to watch it. http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Marketplace/ID/2327202746/

[dragoncar]

I may have missed it, but make a point once a year to go for a roof walk.

I do this late in October, after the leafs have fallen but before its too cold out. During the walk I will:

• Make sure that flashing around chimneys/pipes, etc. is in good condition.
• Check that nothing has made a home in the eaves (Squirrels, birds, chipmunks) and knock down any yellowjacket nests I find.
• Make sure leafs and debris are cleaned out of the gutters.
• Check that exposed nail heads are all caulked and no shingles are broken/missing.
• and finally, I hang the Christmas lights while I'm up there. If I feel like hanging them that year. Which my wife often tells me I do.

There are parts of my roof that are dangerously high.  Considering getting  a harness/anchor for my own inspections.  Seems safer than a really tall ladder or risking a slip/die.  What do you do?

[Le Poisson]

I bought a house with a 1-4 sloped roof that I'm not afraid to walk! Our roof is a big box of a 2-storey with a bumpout on the back for the kitchen and dining room. Since I believe in online honesty. I'll be truthful about it... I don't use a ladder to go up there. I go squirrel style. First I climb the fence, which gives me the height to get on the shed. From the shed its a small hop up to get on teh lower roof. From the lower roof I can climb up onto the top roof. Coming down is the same, but in reverse.

There is one steep section on our roof that I can't go on. Actually I tried once, and yup, not going on that bit. Last summer I found some roof jacks at habitat for Humanity store, so if I ever get desperate, I can use them.