HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
SPRING
Spring is a great time to do a deep clean and declutter your home, as well as check for damage and debris from winter storms.
Here are a few tasks to consider this time of year:
- Spring cleaning purge and declutter
- Have trees trimmed away from house
- Check for proper grading around exterior
- Replace batteries in smoke detectors
- Have air-conditioning serviced
- Replace air vent filters
- Test garage door auto reverse
- Clean gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris
- Have speptic system cleaned and serviced
- Reseal or stain deck
- Sweep/mop under appliances
- Wash shower curtains and liner
- Shampoo carpets
- Clean window tracts
- Flush water heater
- Vacuum mattresses
- Dust tops of cabinets
- Clean out/defrost freezer and refrigerator
- Vacuum registers and vents
- Check the basement or crawl space for moisture issues. Pay attention to musty smells, water stain and damp surfaces.
- Invest in carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have at least one.
WINTER
Here are a few tasks to consider to prepare your home for winter:
- Consider having your furnace professionally cleaned and tuned annually. Replace furnace filters monthly, if needed.
- Repair any leaks in the draftiest areas: recessed lighting, window and door frames, and electrical outlets.
- Feeling drafty? Check the attic to make sure you see 10-14 inches of insulation.
- Allow winter’s rain and melting snow to properly drain by removing leaves and other debris from your gutters.
- When is snows, monitor your trees for snow load. Even a light snowfall can weigh branches down enough to cause damage to your home. Carefully shake the branches daily if it looks like the snow will stick around.
- Use extensions to your downspouts to divert water so that it runs 3 to 4 feet from your foundation. Check your crawlspace for flooding after the first long rainfall.
- Check your heating ducts and clean out any abundant dust, animal hair, and other debris that can gather and cause respiratory issues.
- Reverse your ceiling fans to reverse warm air downward, keeping your home more comfortable. As you look up, blades should be turning clockwise during winter months.
- Hang extra window treatments or insulated curtains to keep your home warm. On sunny days use the sun to help warm up.
- Purchase Covers for all outdoor faucets.
- Make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher on each floor and in the garage. Check the pressure monthly.
- If you have not checked the operation of your home’s smoke detectors, now is a great time to do so. Check the batteries too.
- Invest in a carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have at least one.
- Drain and store garden hoses and add insulation to spigots to prevent freezing. Know how to shut off water in case pipes burst.
- Cover or store your patio furniture.
- Clean out dryer venting and secure the area, as well as any other outside access points around the perimeter of your home to prevent critters (likely more aggressive during winter) from entering your home.
- If you have a generator, make sure it’s been serviced and that it’s ready to work if the power goes out.
- In the event your heating system fails, know where your space heaters are so you have warm individual rooms until you can get repairs made.
- Arrange ahead of time with a handyman or neighborhood kid to have your driveway and sidewalk cleared in case of snow.
- Don’t wait to purchase ice-melt products, cold weather emergency supplies. Avoid the rush and long lines by purchasing ahead of time.
CLEAN OUT THE CLUTTER
Resources to donate and recycle items you no longer need.
- Children’s Hospital Bargain Boutique
(Click on “Bargain Boutique Donations”)
New or gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, housewares, quilts, linens and furniture. Seattlechildrens.org/giving/donate - NW Furniture Bank
Furniture bank for homeless families in transition in Pierce County and South King County. Nwfurniturebank.org - Goodwill
Will accept donations of a wide range of items, from exercise equipment to clothes and home décor items and furniture. Donations help put people to work with the net proceeds from the sale of donated items going to help fund job training and education programs and services. Seattlegoodwill.org/donate-goods - Mary’s Place
Donate twin bedding, stroller covers, towels, small appliances, utensils, cars, personal hygiene products, raincoats, maternity clothes and other clothing.
Marysplaceseattle.org/share-your-stuff - Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
Accepts food, clothing, vehicles and houseware. Ugm.org/donate-goods - Vision House
Donate bedding, toiletries, small kitchen appliances and tools, silverware, cleaning supplies and tools, diapers, bike helmets, door mats, flip-flops, vacuum cleaners, wall art, flashlights, phones and cameras. Visionhouse.org/ways-to-give/give-items/ - Friendly Earth E-Cycling
Free recycling-electronics, appliances, scrap metal, machinery, computers, batteries, ink and toner, cellphones, vehicles and more. Friendlyearth.org - Rubbish Works
Removal of ALL nonhazardous materials for disposal. Rubbishworks.com - 1 Green Planet
Free recycling- electronics, appliances, scrap metal, machinery, computers, batteries, ink and toner, cellphones, vehicles and more.
1greenplanet.org
