Maintenance Guides

Do the job right, on time

Plain steps for the tasks that keep a house working. Each guide says how often to do it, what you need, when it is done, and when to stop and call a licensed pro.

HVAC and climateCall a pro

What an annual HVAC tune-up should include

Book cooling service in spring and heating service in fall. What a real tune-up covers, what to ask the technician, and what to write down before they leave.

2-3 hrs (pro)Read

Interior surfacesEasy

How to care for hardwood floors

Dry dust often, damp mop rarely, and keep water and grit off the finish. Daily habits, the monthly clean, what never to use, and when a floor needs refinishing.

20-30 min weeklyRead

Exterior and groundsEasy

How to caulk and weatherstrip a house

Caulk seals gaps that do not move; weatherstripping seals doors and windows that do. Where to look, the smoke test, and which product goes where.

2-4 hrsRead

Safety and securityEasy

How to check a home fire extinguisher

A monthly look at the gauge, the pin, and the path to it. Which extinguisher a home needs, where to mount it, the PASS method, and when to leave instead.

5 minRead

HVAC and climateCall a pro

Do your air ducts need cleaning? Usually not, and when they do

The EPA does not recommend routine duct cleaning. The three conditions that justify it, how to check for them, and how to hire the work if you need it.

3-5 hrs (pro)Read

AppliancesEasy

How to clean a dishwasher filter

Most dishwashers have a filter you twist out and rinse. A monthly clean stops gritty glasses and the smell; the same session covers the spray arms and gasket.

15-20 minRead

Plumbing and waterEasy

How to keep drains clear without chemical cleaners

Monthly habits and a quarterly cleaning that keep sinks, tubs, and showers draining: strainers, hair catchers, hot water, a plunger, and a drain snake.

15-30 minRead

AppliancesModerate

How to clean a dryer vent

Clean the lint filter every load and the vent duct at least once a year. Signs of a clogged vent, the brush-and-vacuum method, and why plastic duct has to go.

45-60 minRead

Exterior and groundsModerate

How to clean gutters and downspouts (and how often)

Clean gutters at least twice a year, after leaf drop and before spring rain. Ladder safety, the scoop-and-flush method, and where downspouts should discharge.

1-3 hrsRead

AppliancesEasy

How to clean refrigerator coils

Find the condenser coils, unplug, brush and vacuum the dust off, and repeat every six to twelve months. Why dusty coils shorten a refrigerator's life.

20-30 minRead

Interior surfacesModerate

How to deep clean tile and grout (and keep it clean)

A grout deep clean with an alkaline cleaner, a stiff brush, and patience, then a sealer so it stays clean. When to recaulk, and when to regrout.

2-3 hrsRead

Plumbing and waterModerate

How to flush a tank water heater

Drain sediment from a tank water heater once a year or a quart every quarter. Shutoff steps for gas and electric, the hose setup, and when to call a plumber.

30-45 minRead

Exterior and groundsModerate

How to check grading and drainage around your foundation

Water should flow away from the house, not toward it. How to check the slope, where downspouts should end, how to fix low spots, and when to call a pro.

1-2 hrs to check, a day to fixRead

Exterior and groundsModerate

How to inspect your roof once a year without climbing on it

A yearly roof check you can do with binoculars, a ladder, and a flashlight in the attic. What to look for, what it means, and when to call a roofer.

45-60 minRead

Interior surfacesEasy

How to clean and maintain quartz and granite countertops

Quartz never needs sealing; granite usually does. Daily cleaning for both, what stains and etches them, the water test for granite, and how to reseal.

10 min daily, 1 hr to sealRead

Exterior and groundsModerate

How to pressure wash a house without damaging it

Low pressure, the right nozzle, and a bottom-up rinse. How to wash siding, concrete, and decks once a year, what never to spray, and when to hire it out.

3-4 hrsRead

Plumbing and waterEasy

How to keep pipes from freezing (and what to do if they do)

Before a freeze, insulate exposed pipes, drip faucets, open cabinets, and hold the thermostat. If one freezes, how to thaw it without a flame.

1-2 hrs before first freezeRead

HVAC and climateEasy

How to replace your HVAC filter (and how often)

Check the filter every month and change it at least every three months. The size to buy, which MERV rating fits your system, and the five-minute swap.

10 minRead

ElectricalEasy

How to reset a tripped breaker (and when not to)

Find the breaker in the middle position, switch it fully off, then on. If it trips again, stop and find the cause. What never to touch in the panel.

5 minRead

ElectricalEasy

How to test GFCI outlets (and what to do when one fails)

Press Test, watch the light go out, press Reset. The monthly GFCI check takes a minute per outlet, and a failed test means the outlet is not protecting anyone.

10 minRead

Safety and securityEasy

How to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Test every alarm monthly, change batteries yearly, replace smoke alarms at ten years and CO alarms at five. Where they go and what the chirps mean.

10 minRead

Exterior and groundsModerate

How to winterize an irrigation system

Shut off the water, drain the backflow preventer, and blow out the lines before the first hard freeze. What to do by hand, and why the blow-out is a hired job.

1 hr (plus a pro blow-out)Read

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