When you first move in:
Change all locks on exterior entrances.
Replace batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Create a fire escape plan for your new home.
Learn the location of main shut-offs for your plumbing, electrical and heating systems.
Review your home inspection report for any items requiring immediate attention.
Every month:
Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and check fire extinguishers.
Clean or replace furnace or air-conditioning air filters, ventilation filters, humidifier filters, and range hood filters.
Vacuum heat registers and heat vents.
Check that indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.
Clean the garbage disposal.
Every spring:
Remove debris from gutters, window wells, and downspouts.
Inspect roof, siding, trim, foundation, and chimney for damage.
Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanicals.
Test sump pump.
Have air-conditioning system serviced.
Drain or flush water heater.
Every summer:
Oil garage-door opener and chain, garage door, and all door hinges.
Remove lint from inside and outside washer hoses and dryer vents.
Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter.
Clean refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
Check dishwasher for leaks.
Check around kitchen and bathroom cabinets and around toilets for leaks.
Seal tile grout.
Prune trees and shrubs.
Every fall:
Remove debris from gutters, window wells, and downspouts.
Drain and store hoses, and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
Inspect chimney for leaks and obstructions, and clean fireplace flues.
Have furnace serviced.
Check water heater for leaks.
Every winter:
Cover your air-conditioning unit.
Check basement for leaks during thaws.
Inspect the roof, gutters, and downspouts for damage after storms.
Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.
Home Component Lifespan
APPLIANCES YEARS
Air-Conditioners 8-15 Boilers 20-35 Dishwashers 9 Disposers, Food waste 12 Dryers 13 Exhaust Fans 10 Freezers 10-20 Furnace 15-25 Gas Ovens 10-18 Heat Pumps 16 Humidifiers 8 Microwave Ovens 9 Range/Oven Hoods 14 Electric Ranges 13-15 Gas Ranges 15-17 Refrigerators 9-13 Washing Machine 5 -15 Water Heaters 10-11 FLOORING YEARS All Wooden Floors 100+ Bamboo 100+ Brick Pavers 100+ Carpet 8-10 Concrete 50+ Engineered Wood 50+ Exotic Wood 100+ Granite 100+ Laminate 15-25 Linoleum 25 Marble 100+ Other Domestic Wood 100+ Slate 100 Terrazo 75+ Tile 75-100 Vinyl 25 |
FOOTING & FOUNDATIONS YEARS
Baseboard System 50 Bituminous Coating Waterproofing 10 Cast Iron Waste Pipe 50 – 60 Concrete Block 100+ Concrete Waste Pipe 100 Poured Footings and Foundations 100+ Pumps, Sumps, and Wells 5-12 Termite Proofing 12 GARAGES YEARS Garage Doors 20-25 Garage Door Openers 10-15 HVAC YEARS Air Conditioners 10-15 Air Quality Systems 15 Attic Fans 15 – 25 Boilers 13-21 Burners 10+ Central Air Conditioning Unit 12-15 Dehumidifiers 8 Diffusers, Grilles, and Registers 25 Ducting 10 DX, Water, Or Steam 20 Electric 15 Electric Radiant Heater 40 Furnaces 15-20 Heat Exchangers, shell + tube 10-15 Heat Pumps 16 Heat Recovery Ventilators 20 Hot Water or Steam Radiant Heater 40 Induction and Fan-Coil Units 10-15 Molded Insulation 100+ Shell and Tube 20 Thermostats 35 Ventilators 7 Water Heaters 20+ LIGHTING & ELECTRICAL YEARS Accessories 10+ Bare Copper 100+ Copper Clad Aluminum 100+ Copper Plated 100+ Lighting Controls 10+ |
ROOFING YEARS
Aluminum Coating 3-7 Asphalt Shingles (3 – tab) 20 Asphalt (Architectural) 30 BUR (Built-up Roof) 30 Clay/Concrete 100+ Coal and Tar 30 Copper 100+ EPDM Rubber 15 – 25 Fiber Cement 25 Modified Bitumen 20 Simulated Slate 50 Slate 50+ TPO 7 – 20 Wood 30 SIDING & ACCESSORIES YEARS Aluminum Downspouts 30 Aluminum Gutters 20 Aluminum/Interior Shutters 10+ Brick 100+ Copper Downspouts 100 Copper Gutters 50+ Engineered Wood 100+ Fiber Cement 100+ Galvanized Steel Gutters/Downspouts 20 Manufactured Stone 100+ Soffits/Fascias 50 Stone 100+ Stucco 50 – 100 Trim 25 Vinyl 100+ Wood/Exterior Shutters 20 Wood/Interior Shutters 15+ SKYLIGHTS & WINDOWS YEARS Aluminum/Aluminum Clad 15-20 Window Glazing 10+ Vinyl Windows 20 – 40 Wood 30+ |