15 guides
Seasonal home maintenance guides
What to do around the house each season, with notes for different US climates. General education, not professional advice. We aren't a contractor or referral service.
Spring
Roof and gutters, AC prep, drainage and the exterior walk-around.
- Spring roof and gutter check
Look for winter damage from the ground, and get water moving.
- Get your air conditioning ready
A clean filter, a clear outdoor unit and a tune-up before the heat.
- Keep water away from your foundation
Grading, downspouts and a basement check.
- The spring walk-around
Siding, paint, caulk, windows and doors.
Summer
Storm prep, pests, decks and watering.
- Prepare your home for summer storms
Hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and hail: what to do before.
- Keep pests out in summer
Seal entry points and remove what attracts them.
- Deck and porch safety check
Loose railings and rotten boards are the big risks.
- Summer lawn and irrigation without the waste
Water early, check sprinklers and follow local rules.
Fall
Heating, outdoor faucets, chimneys and safety checks.
- Get your heating ready for winter
Filters, a tune-up and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Winterize outdoor faucets, hoses and sprinklers
Prevent burst pipes before the first freeze.
- Fireplace and chimney safety
An inspection before the first fire.
- The fall safety checks
Alarms, extinguishers, dryer vents and an escape plan.
Winter
Frozen pipes, ice dams and power outages.
- Prevent and handle frozen pipes
Keep heat on, let faucets drip and know your shutoff.
- Ice dams and heavy snow
Why they form, and the safe ways to deal with them.
- Winter power outage safety
Stay warm safely and avoid carbon monoxide.