Most home maintenance isn't hard. It's easy to forget. Here's the short list of four items that, if you keep up with them on a seasonal rhythm, prevent the calls you'd rather not make.
Gutters — spring and fall
Gutters do one job: move water away from the foundation. Twice a year, pull the leaves out and run water through the downspouts to check the flow. A clogged gutter doesn't just overflow — the weight of the debris can pull the gutter away from the fascia and you'll be paying for new hangers before you know it.
HVAC filters — every two to three months
A clogged filter makes the system work harder, drives up the utility bill, and shortens the life of the blower motor. The filter is right where the return air comes into the system — usually a slot in a hallway ceiling or a panel near the air handler. Pull it out, check it against a light, and replace it if you can't see the light through it.
Window tracks — once a year
Window tracks collect all the dust and dead bugs that blew in over the year. They also rust shut if they're metal. A vacuum with the crevice tool gets most of it. Follow up with a damp cloth and a tiny drop of silicone lubricant on metal tracks so the windows still slide.
Smoke detector batteries — twice a year
The twice-a-year cadence is because of the clock change. Pick a day — the day you switch the clocks — and that's when you change every smoke detector battery and test every one with the button. Carbon monoxide detectors get the same treatment. Five minutes at most.
Bonus: the dryer vent
The dryer vent is on the list every fall for safety and efficiency. Lint accumulates inside the line and is the most common cause of house fires involving a dryer. Pull the dryer out, disconnect the vent, vacuum the line, and check that the outside vent opens and closes freely.
When to hire it out
A lot of this is easier with two people. If it's been a while — or if you'd rather spend the weekend doing something else — this is exactly the kind of work we're happy to fold into a deep clean.