When you’re buying a house, you’re all about the numbers: down payment, mortgage rate, closing charges, fees, and so on. But one thing you can overlook is what happens after the sale, which is the money you should set aside for home repairs and maintenance.

A house changes with the seasons, waking up in the spring and hibernating in the winter. Follow this natural arc throughout the year and pay attention to the details, and your home will run like a well-oiled machine.



Here’s what you should include in your yearly home maintenance. 

Spring

Most of us look forward to opening the windows and cleaning out our closets when spring arrives. It’s also an excellent opportunity to inspect your home from the inside out.
 

Spring cleanup

Begin by picking up any residual leaves from the winter and spreading mulch in your flowerbeds and around your hedges. Plants will be protected from drought and weeds will be kept at bay with a light covering of mulch.
 

Trees

If you have any trees on your property, have them inspected by a professional arborist, who can look for signs of illness or dead limbs and spot problems before they get serious enough to destroy a tree. A dead or dying tree can be a hazard to you, your home, and nearby properties if the untrained eye misses indicators of damage.
 

Lawns and hedges

Before the summer heat arrives, reseed your grass and fill in any bare patches. Plant your perennials and water them regularly. This will get your yard looking pristine for the upcoming summer!
 

Bye-bye, snowblower. Welcome, lawnmower!

Now that the last of the winter snowstorms have passed, you can store away your snowblower for the summer. Before you store it away, be sure to empty the fuel or add a stabilizer, as well as inspect and clean the motor and its components.
 

Inspect your property

Take a walk around the outside of the house to see whether the concrete has any fractures.  Look for signs of loose or broken shingles on the roof. Examine the chimney for signs of deterioration. Look for fractures or signs of water pooling on the facade and foundation. If you see any structural issues, don’t wait to call a professional to repair the damage!
 

Clear your drains and gutters

Your gutters direct precipitation away from your home, preserving the roof, siding, and foundation. Gutters that are clogged might cause your roof to leak or water to infiltrate your home. Do your best to clean them at least twice per year.
 

Paint

Exterior paint is attractive and protects your shingles from rot and water damage. Look for paint that is flaking or chipping. It’s possible that you’ll need a touch-up or a new coat. If you intend to engage a professional, start planning in the spring so that the work is completed by the end of the summer.
 

Pool

The best part about having a pool is enjoying it throughout the summer! Spring is a great time to inspect your pool, clean it, and get it ready for summer. Here are some essential tasks for readying your pool: treat the water with chlorine, check and change all valves and filters, and inspect all the plumbing equipment to make sure it is running properly. And if you suspect you might have a leak in your pool, you should also call a professional company for leak detection services. After all, you want to spend your time enjoying the pool, not worrying about leaks!
 

Steam Heat

Drain your boiler to clean out any accumulated sediment if you have steam heat.
 

Plumbing

Conduct a thorough inspection of your pipes, especially under sinks, for any evidence of leakage. Look up at your ceilings for water stains, which indicate a leak in the wall. Check for leaks in faucets and the flapper in your toilet tank to be sure it hasn’t worn out. Some of these leaks can be tricky to locate and fix on your own, so don’t hesitate to call a professional for leak detection services!
 

Summer

Summer is the time to relax and enjoy your home rather than fix it. However, some errands must be completed. If you stay on top of them, you’ll still have time for beer and barbecues.
 

Leak detection services

After a long winter, your pipes may have been damaged and your pool might be in need of some repairs. To prevent small cracks from forming leaks, we recommend hiring a professional leak detection company to locate and fix any leaks that may have sprung up throughout the winter. This will ensure your home and pool are ready for summertime fun. Plus, by hiring a pro, you can save yourself the time, money, and stress of fixing leaks yourself.
 

Tend to your lawn

By the end of the summer, you and your mower should have become fast friends. Set your mower to its highest setting to avoid cutting the grass too short and exposing it to weeds and drought.
 

Water plants and foliage

During the hot summer days, make sure your foliage gets plenty of water. Water first thing in the morning, but not every day. A good soaking a few times a week is preferable to a light, daily drizzle for plants.
 

Exterior repairs

Summer is an excellent time to repaint your home’s exterior or repair your porch. A fresh coat of paint can make your home extra inviting!
 

Consider home improvement projects

During the summer, many contractors concentrate on outdoor projects. It’s time to tuck them away for the fall and winter months. Get bids now if you want to paint a few rooms or update a bathroom so you can schedule the work for the cooler months.
 

Fall

It’s time to start winding down your house for the winter as the leaves begin to turn and the days cool. Autumn does not always mean a massive to-do list for those of you who live in warmer climates.
 

Garden

By early fall, you may be tired of gardening, but it’s a great time to plant perennials like peonies, columbine, and hydrangea. It’s also a good time to reseed your lawn and plant trees and shrubs. Make sure to give new plants plenty of water before they go dormant. Depending on the variety you have chosen, you might get the first blooms by spring.
 

Gutters

Once the leaves have fallen, contact a reputable company to have your gutters cleaned and inspected. Any gutter or downspout repairs that are needed should be completed before winter arrives. Your workers should also look for any loose or broken tiles on the roof. Schedule the job before a heavy snowfall so that frozen leaves and debris do not accumulate in the gutters.
 

Boilers and radiators

During the winter, you’ll rely on hot water to run appliances and have nice warm showers. Make an appointment with the plumber for an annual inspection. Drain the water from the boiler to get rid of any sediment that has accumulated in the tank. Before you turn it on, make sure the tank is full. Your radiators can also be checked by a plumber or heating specialist to ensure that the valves are in good working order.
 

Windows and doors

Check windows and doors for drafts as you walk around the house. Caulk around door and window frames as needed. Install storm windows and storm door glass panels in the late fall to keep the heat in and the cold out.
 

Winter

In the winter, we tend to hibernate because the weather is often too cold and unpredictable to take on major home improvement projects. Even if you live in a warmer climate, it’s important to ensure your home is properly equipped to handle the elements.
 

Bring out the snowblower (for our Northern Arizona friends)

Before it snows, make sure your snowblower is in good working order. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of the first major storm with nothing but an orange shovel to dig yourself out. Send the snowblower to a shop that specializes in small engines for a tune-up.
 

Ice dams

Ice dams can form along the eaves of your roof, causing damage to your gutters, shingles, and siding. Water can wreak havoc on your paint, floors, and insulation when it leaks into your home. Inspect the exterior of your home for signs of ice dams throughout the winter.
 

Heating systems

Check and replace your heating system’s filters on a regular basis. They should be replaced anywhere from twice a year to once a month. Keep an eye on your boiler’s water levels to make sure they don’t get too low.
 

Generator

In the event of a blackout, a portable generator can be a lifesaver. Turn it on and run it every three months, and get it serviced twice a year (even if you never use it). In the event of a storm, keep fuel and motor oil on hand. Allowing fuel to sit in the tank for long periods of time can cause damage. Check it for corrosion and wear on a regular basis.
 

Winter storm prep

A severe winter storm can keep you confined to your home for days. In case you lose power, stock up on wood for the fireplace, gas for the snowblower, canned food, and bottled water.
 

Full-Service Water Leak Detection and Restoration – Leak Science

As you go through your yearly home maintenance routine, remember that it’s just as important to keep an eye out for leaks in your home and pool. The threat of a pool leak in Arizona is frightening because of the high costs associated with it, both in terms of your water bill and the necessary repair work. Why complicate and increase the cost of the process when you could hire a team to find the leak for you?

Leak detection for swimming pools is a highly specialized field. Leak Science is the only company in the Valley that manages the entire process, from finding your pool leak with specialized equipment to extracting the concrete or flagstone, repairing the leak, and restoring your swimming pool deck as if nothing ever happened! We employ cutting-edge leak detection technology to locate even the most difficult leaks, which are frequently hidden underground beneath plumbing or pool decking. To accurately locate these leaks, we use advanced acoustic equipment and a tried-and-true process. This technology allows us to pinpoint leaks within inches of their exact location. This makes us a valuable asset to homeowners in the Phoenix area because we don’t have to tear up as much to get to the leak and repair it. This reduces the amount of damage and leaves no large scars around the pool.

Feel free to contact us for your home maintenance. We are happy to help with any of your home or pool leak needs!