Home Maintenance

Preventive maintenance, plumbing preparedness, water heaters, and year-round system care.

Start with these guides

Foundational topics in this category—good entry points if you are not sure where to begin.

Annual Home Maintenance Schedule for New Homeowners
Plan yearly home maintenance by season—HVAC, plumbing, safety devices, exterior, and systems—with links to detailed checklists.
How to Find Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
Locate your home's main water shutoff—basement, crawl space, meter, or street—and practice turning it off before a leak emergency.
How to Change an HVAC Air Filter
Find your filter slot, check the airflow arrow, and swap the old filter without backward installation—plus size matching and MERV basics.

Plan yearly home maintenance by season—HVAC, plumbing, safety devices, exterior, and systems—with links to detailed checklists.

beginner12 minutes to read

Keep downspouts flowing and direct roof water away from your foundation—extensions, clog clearing, splash blocks, and when grading needs a pro.

beginner1–2 hours

Locate your home's main water shutoff—basement, crawl space, meter, or street—and practice turning it off before a leak emergency.

beginner10 minutes to read

Homeowner-safe furnace maintenance—filters, vents, clearance, thermostat checks, and CO safety—plus what requires a licensed HVAC technician.

beginner30–45 minutes

Most 1-inch filters: every 90 days. See intervals for pets, allergies, and heavy HVAC use—plus warning signs it's overdue.

beginner5 minutes to read

Prevent frozen and burst pipes—insulate vulnerable lines, keep heat on, and know when to shut off water before a freeze.

beginner10 minutes to read

Press TEST monthly on kitchen, bath, garage, and outdoor GFCI outlets. Failed tests, reset steps, and when to call an electrician.

beginner15–20 minutes for whole home

Monthly toilet checks that catch running water, base leaks, and worn parts before they waste water or need a plumber.

beginner15–20 minutes per bathroom

Maintain tank and tankless water heaters—flush sediment, test relief valve, check anode, and know when a plumber should take over.

beginner15 minutes to read

AC blowing warm air or weak airflow? Check thermostat, filter, vents, and outdoor unit first—then know when to stop and call an HVAC technician.

beginner15–25 minutes to check

Clogged gutters overflow and damage foundations. Safe ladder setup, scoop-and-flush steps, cleaning frequency, and when to hire a pro.

intermediate1–3 hours

Test smoke alarms monthly, replace batteries yearly, and swap units every 10 years—plus CO alarm checks, placement basics, and replacement schedules.

beginner20–30 minutes for whole home

Find your filter slot, check the airflow arrow, and swap the old filter without backward installation—plus size matching and MERV basics.

beginner5–10 minutes