December Home Maintenance Schedule

  • Check and replace or clean your furnace filter if applicable. Remember if you have central air conditioning, you will still need to check and clean or change your filter each month. If you have an electronic air cleaner and/or a humidifier on your furnace, consult with a HVAC tech as to the proper maintenance and frequency of care that needs to be taken to keep them in good working order. Depending on the type of filter that you have, you may need to change it monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Your HVAC tech can elaborate further on what is the best schedule for your furnace.
  • Inspect and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Look in cabinets under sinks in kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms for signs of leakage. Leakage under sinks can go unnoticed for months and cause damage that can easily be avoided. Most leaks are easy fixes that you or a qualified plumber can repair.
  • Check and test GFCI outlets. If you don’t already have them you should consider adding GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) outlets at the exterior, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and garage areas. Consult an electrician for help with installing these.
  • Trip and reset the circuit breakers in your electrical panel box to ensure proper function.
  • Check basement for signs of water penetration including dampness, staining, and efflorescence. Water in the basement is a very common problem. Usually building up the grading around your house will help to keep the water out or at least cut down on the amount. Be sure to read the wet basement article on our HMR site. If you have significant water penetration in your basement, a landscaper or waterproofing company may be able to help.
  • Run a bucket of water down the floor drains to ensure proper drainage. As your house ages and the trees and vegetation outside around your house grow, the potential for a sewer backup increases. Running water down the drain will ensure that it functions, although a video scan of the drain lines by a plumber will tell you the exact condition of your underground sewer system.
  • If you live in a colder region, be sure to have a supply of rock salt to help keep your sidewalks clear of ice to prevent a fall hazard. Do not over do it while shoveling your walkways or driveway. Numerous heart attacks and back injuries occur every year from people over doing it.
  • If you celebrate the upcoming holiday season with decorative lights, be sure to limit the use of extension cords. Any exterior light or extension cord should be plugged into a GFCI protected outlet for added protection. Consult an electrician for help with these.
  • In this cold weather, pests and rodents will try to find warmth also. Don’t let it be in your house! Seal any holes in the exterior that would allow entry. A good place to look is around any penetration such as the main electrical entry or gas line entry into the house.
  • Check the amount of insulation in your attic. Current standards call for 9-12″ or even more of insulation in the attic, depending on the region that you live in. You should consider adding more insulation in your attic if it’s reasonable. You have to consider the cost of the insulation and labor to install it versus the future energy savings to determine if it is worth it or not. If you do decide to install more, remember to wear a protective mask, safety glasses, and a long sleeve shirt.. If there are any signs of bird, insect, or rodent infestation in the attic, find the holes and seal them up! A local pest inspector may be able to help you out with this.
  • While you’re in your attic, look for any signs of moisture either from roof leakage or condensation. Any black staining in a certain area may be a leak; if there is staining over a broad area, it may be condensation from a ventilation problem. A ridge vent goes a long way to alleviate a ventilation problem, depending on the kind of roof that you have. Any vent fans from bathrooms or kitchens should vent to the exterior and not inside the attic. If you do see any signs of moisture, you should consult with a qualified roofing contractor.
  • Another thing to check for in your attic is loose wires or open electrical junction boxes that need cover plates. Check any visible wires for any signs of damage from rodents. If you have ventilation louvers, be sure that there are screens covering them to keep out birds, mice, or wasps.
  • Although these last few items do not pertain to home maintenance, I wanted to add them in anyways. They are some of my own thoughts about this time of year.
  • Remember while driving this holiday season to be extra alert behind the wheel!
  • As the weather gets colder, remember the elderly in our communities. Some do not have vehicles and may need a helping hand for the bare necessities.
  • I realize that there are many different beliefs and religions, and people celebrate the holidays in different ways. Whatever your beliefs are, please have a wonderful holiday season and spend time with the people that you love! I wish everyone the best!

Take some time this month to perform these quick and easy steps to keep your house in great shape!
Proper care and maintenance of your home is important and these tips can be performed by most people. We do not recommend that maintenance be performed by someone unqualified or incapable. We do not warrant the condition of your home or guarantee that you will have no maintenance problems by following these tips. In as much as we try to compile an extensive list of home maintenance, this in no way is a complete list of items that should be done to a home. If you feel uncomfortable doing any of these suggestions on your own, seek the services of professionals.