10 Annual Home Maintenance Checks Every Homeowner Should Do
Home ownership is a big deal! You work so hard to reach this milestone in life and when you do it can feel SO exciting. But one thing that many people don’t talk about is how owning a home also comes with a LOT of responsibilities that aren’t always super obvious.
You’ve likely heard of the super common things like changing your air filters or testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but if you’ve never owned a home before, then you’ve likely never had to deal with cleaning the gutters… or serving the HVAC system… or making sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed.
The thing with owning a home is that the small things AND the big things matter a LOT!
Keeping your home in tip shop shape all throughout the year requires regular maintenance and taking the time to do it ensures that your home stays safe, efficient, and in great condition in case you ever decide to sell it.
But because it can be hard to know where to start, this blog post can serve as your annual home maintenance guide for homeowners to complete each year!
An Annual Home Maintenance Guide for Homeowners
1. Inspect and Service Your HVAC System
Recommend Season: Spring and Fall 🌸🍂
Listen, your HVAC system is basically the heart of your home, and nobody wants that to fail, especially during a Billings winter when temperatures can drop below zero! Schedule a professional (my local recommendation here!) to come out twice a year to give your system some TLC. They'll clean the coils, check refrigerant levels, and make sure everything's running smoothly.
In between the big inspections, don't forget to change your air filters every 1-3 months! It's super easy to do yourself and can save you a ton on energy bills. Plus, your allergies will thank you when pollen season hits Montana.
2. Clean and Check Your Roof and Gutters
Recommended Season: Late Fall and Spring 🌸🍂
I love when the leaves start to fall in Billings, but what I don’t love? The way they clog the gutters! And if you leave them unattended, it’s not fun when our spring rain hits.
To avoid any roof or gutter issues, it’s best to routinely clean them out at least twice a year to prevent water damage to your foundation.
While you're up there (or hiring someone to go up there), check for missing or damaged shingles. Our Montana winds can be brutal, and catching a small roof issue now can save you thousands later!
A neglected roof is one of the top things that brings down a home’s value, so maintaining it over the years is going to be something you don’t want to skip.
3. Examine Plumbing and Water Heater
Recommended Season: Fall 🍂
Before temps drop in Billings, give your plumbing system a good check! Check under sinks for leaks, test water pressure, and inspect visible pipes for any signs of trouble.
And don't forget to drain a gallon or two from your water heater to flush out sediment. Your local water can leave mineral buildup that shortens its life.
4. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Recommended Season: Twice yearly (when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends) ⏰
This is literally the easiest maintenance task, but it could also LITERALLY save your life! Make it a habit to test all detectors and change batteries when we spring forward and fall back.
With our Montana winters and increased furnace use, carbon monoxide detection is super important.
Quick hack: Use the test button, but also try the "smoke in a can" testers available at local hardware stores for a more thorough check. Your family's safety is worth the extra $10!
5. Inspect Your Foundation and Exterior
Recommended Season: Spring 🌸
Once the snow melts and we finally get to say see ya to winter, take a walk around your home and look for cracks in the foundation, peeling paint, or damaged siding. Our freeze-thaw cycles in Billings can be rough on foundations, so catching small cracks early is key.
Also, check that your yard slopes AWAY from your foundation. Spring runoff should flow away from your home, not toward it. A few bags of soil from a local garden center can fix low spots and prevent a wet basement!
6. Check Windows and Doors for Drafts
Recommended Season: Early Fall 🍂
Before the heating season kicks in, check all your windows and doors for leaks. Replacing weatherstripping or adding caulk is an inexpensive fix that can save you big bucks on heating bills during our long Montana winters.
And if you've got older windows, those plastic insulation kits actually work pretty well as a temporary solution. They're not pretty, but neither is a $400 heating bill!
7. Maintain Major Appliances
Recommended Season: Winter ❄️
Those indoor months are perfect for showing your major appliances some love. Clean your refrigerator coils (they're probably SUPER dusty), check washing machine hoses for bulges, and clean your dryer vent – like REALLY clean it, not just the lint trap.
If you have gas appliances, this is also a great time to make sure connections are tight and there are no weird smells. Gas leaks are no joke with our enclosed winter living!
8. Evaluate Your Electrical System
Recommended Season: Any time ❄️🌸🍂☀️
At least once a year, check all GFCIs (those outlets with the little reset buttons, usually in kitchens and bathrooms), look for any scorch marks around outlets, and make sure your electrical panel is accessible and properly labeled.
If your home is older, like many of our charming Billings neighborhoods (especially those in Downtown!) consider having an electrician (I know a guy 😉) check for aluminum wiring or other outdated systems that could pose a risk.
9. Assess Lawn and Landscaping
Recommended Season: Early Spring 🌸
As soon as the ground thaws, inspect trees for damage from our heavy winter snow. Trim back branches that hang over your roof, check for signs of pest infestation, and plan your year's landscaping strategy.
For Billings homeowners, consider drought-resistant plants that can handle our sometimes dry summers. Proper landscaping not only looks good for resale but can prevent erosion and foundation issues down the road!
10. Deep Clean and Declutter
Recommended Season: Spring 🌸
Spring cleaning might sound like a fun, cute thing you see on social media, but it’s REAL and effective! Take some time in early spring to deep clean carpets, wash windows inside and out, dust ceiling fans, and declutter spaces that have accumulated "stuff" over the winter.
This isn't just about having a pretty home – it's about maintaining your investment. Regular deep cleaning prevents wear and tear on finishes and gives you a chance to spot water damage, pest issues, or other problems while they're still small.
And there you have it – your annual home maintenance checklist to ensure that your home stays safe, efficient, and in great condition in case you ever decide to sell it.
By spreading these tasks throughout the year, home maintenance becomes WAY more manageable and it’s even better when you break everything up by the season! To help you do that with ease, we’ve put together a free downloadable home maintenance checklist by the seasons so you never have to question what to focus on.
And remember, if you're thinking of selling your Billings home in the future, having records of regular maintenance is a huge selling point that shows potential buyers you've taken good care of the property.
When or if that time comes, I’m always here to help you navigate the selling process – simply click here when you’re ready. 🥰