There’s an unwritten law of home ownership: If you own a home, you’re involuntarily committed to a never-ending to-do list. The truth is home maintenance chores are vital to help maintain your home’s value, functionality, and safety over time.
Working on your house maintenance list should be a year-round endeavor. In fact, we all should have a yearly and monthly house maintenance checklist. Aside from regular tasks like landscaping, chimney cleaning, caulking windows, and checking for plumbing leaks, there are additional not-so-obvious chores you may not even think about.
We asked our Frontdoor Experts in a variety of disciplines about some tasks that homeowners may overlook.
Frontdoor Experts on
Overlooked Home Maintenance Tasks
Appliance Care Tasks
Washers and dryers aren’t top of mind when it comes to regular maintenance but they need our attention as much as any other appliance.
Aaron Nichols
Frontdoor Appliance Expert
Clean out your dryer vents
It’s very common to forget about this simple task. However, cleaning dryer vents should be part of your yearly house maintenance checklist. It should be done one or two times a year. The ducting from the wall to the outside of the house should be cleaned as well as the ducting from the dryer to the wall. The inside of the dryer below and behind the drum should also be vacuumed out. You may well want a Frontdoor Pro to perform this task.
If the vent is perforated or too old, simply replace it. Also, clean the dryer lint screen before or after each and every load. Lint build-up can become a fire hazard. Keeping vents clear improves the drier’s efficiency and prevents mold and mildew growth.
Clean your washer’s drain pump clean-out screen
Most front-load washers have a drain pump cleanout screen that should be cleaned every 6 months. This is an essential maintenance task that helps ensure the efficient operation, longevity, and odor-free performance. Before you start, make sure you have a few towels handy to clean up any spillage. Check your washer owner's manual for manufacturer recommendations. While you’re at it, clean out the machine’s tub. Use a commercial cleaner such as affresh or LemiShine.
HVAC Care Tasks
A healthy HVAC system is the driving force behind a safe, comfortable home. Its regular maintenance should be a top concern for every homeowner.
Jeff Ault
Frontdoor HVAC Expert
Change the HVAC filters
Clean filters are necessary to maintain indoor air quality, improving system efficiency, extending the lifespan of your HVAC system, and ensuring comfort and safety in your home. Regularly changing your air filters does have a major impact on your systems efficiency, and your physical health.
Routine maintenance
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your HVAC system and helps to prevent costly breakdowns. Aside from changing filters, HVAC maintenance may include checking thermostat settings, inspecting and cleaning ducts, inspecting and clean coils, checking refrigerant levels (which must be done by a professional with an EPA license.)
You should get two HVAC tune-ups per year – spring and fall – to prepare for the warmest and coldest times of year, when your systems work the hardest. You can start with a Frontdoor Expert chat to help walk you through the maintenance/tune-up items. We can also get you a list of Pro's in your area if you prefer in-person help.
Electrical Care Tasks
Smoke detectors and GFCI receptacles are two commonly overlooked items within a home’s electrical network.
John Stapleton
Frontdoor Electrical Expert
Check your smoke detectors
Testing smoke alarms is crucial to ensure they're functioning properly. Most smoke alarms have a test button. Press and hold it for a few seconds until you hear the alarm sound. If your smoke alarm operates on batteries, make sure to check and replace them regularly, at least every six months.
Test GFCI receptacles
Testing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles protect your family from shocks and electrical fires. If you don’t currently have them in your home, you should get them installed. Regular testing of GCFI’s should always be a priority.
Plumbing Care Tasks
It’s easy to forget about your water heater but you shouldn’t. Also, gas lines are part of your home’s plumbing... they should always be monitored.
Gene Cunningham
Frontdoor Plumbing Expert
Flush and drain the water heater
This is one task most homeowners don’t even think about. It should be done about every six months or so. Before you flush and drain the water heater, make sure to turn the power off at the main panel if it’s an electric heater, or turn the gas valve down to pilot if it’s a gas heater.
Install CO2 monitors
If your house has any type of gas appliance, make sure you check, replace, or install carbon monoxide monitors. CO2 monitors can detect the presence of carbon monoxide early, even before it reaches dangerous levels. This is critical. Early detection can provide crucial time for occupants to evacuate the premises. Strategically place them near gas burning appliances and sleeping areas.”
Roof Care Tasks
The roof is the first line of defense for your home. There are a couple things you can do to help it do its job.
Brett Labeka
Frontdoor Expert Handyman
Cleaning out gutters
This seemingly mundane, knuckle-busting task is, in reality, a very important item to check off your house maintenance list. Cleaning gutters should be done regularly (at least every six months) to help prevent water damage, mold growth, pest infestations and undermining of the foundation which can be very expensive.
Inspect and repair your roof
You should inspect your roof annually for damaged or missing shingles, leaks, and wear. If left neglected, a leaky roof can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and even impact your home’s efficiency.
If you need hands-on assistance with your house maintenance checklist, Frontdoor has you covered with access to a national network of trusted professionals. Simply download the Frontdoor app. Whether it's maintenance tips, a minor DIY repair, or a major roof overhaul, our Experts are here to help.
Was this article helpful?
