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Yearly Maintenance of Owning a Home
Owning your home can be a wonderful experience -
you have no landlord, you can make
modifications as you like, and it is a wise investment. However, when you own your home, YOU
are the landlord, which means that you are in charge of regular maintenance. Living in Chicago,
where the seasons definitely change (hot in the summer and cold in the winter), there is plenty
to keep you busy with maintaining your home throughout the year.
Regular maintenance of your home is essential to protecting your investment. It is important to
remember that if you cannot maintain your home, it is wise to hire a handyman that can - there
is nothing wrong with that! In a perfect world, preventative maintenance should be performed all
year long. The season will determine when you should do certain things.
Summer
The summer is a great time to take care of household tasks that would otherwise be very
difficult in the winter with snow and ice covering everything. When you sit down to plan your
mode of attack, it is wise to take this into consideration.
Because it can become very hot in Chicago, it is imperative that you take proper care of your air
conditioner. The AC will be used plenty in the summertime, so be sure to clean or replace filters
(and do so on a monthly basis). It is also a good idea to have a professional check the coolant
once a year. The summer is also a good time to check your septic system, if you have one.
Check to see if it needs pumping and if so, schedule an appointment with a professional.
Take a look at your driveway, sidewalks, porch, and patio. If there are any holes or cracks,
have them repaired in the summer. Do the same for the eaves around the roof, chimney, and
caps. Remove any hornet or wasp nests. While you're up on the roof, be sure to take a look at
your satellite dish or TV antenna. If repairs are needed, now is the time. You can also give
them a gentle cleaning to remove any tree sap or dirt.
Finally, give good inspection to the wooden structures around your home. Check the deck,
steps, and open porches for any water damage or splintering. If needed, apply weatherproofing
to these structures if you have not done so in more than 2 years.
Fall
The fall is a great time to prepare for the harsh winter weather of Chicago. The winds will be
strong and the temperatures low, so it is the perfect time to make sure that your heating system
is in full working order. If you have a fireplace, it is also the time to clean out the chimney to
prepare for increased use.
Be sure to check the weather-stripping around your exterior windows and doors. If there are
any gaps, take care of that well before Jack Frost knocks nips at your nose. This is also a good
time to inspect the caulking around the windows and doors. While you are at it, take some time
to remove the door and window screens - give them a good cleaning before storing.
Get up on your roof and check vents to ensure proper functioning. While you are up there,
check the roof out - are the chimney caps and shingles in place? Are there any tree branches
touching the roof? This is also an excellent time to remove leaves, branches and other debris
from the gutters and downspouts. And remember, the fall leads to winter, so be sure to drain
any water from your garden hoses and faucets and store till the spring.
Winter
Because it becomes so cold in Chicago, winter is the ideal time to conduct maintenance inside
the home. It is the best time of year to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms - replace any low or worn out batteries immediately. Now is the time to also take your
fire extinguishers to a certified inspector to make sure they are fully charged.
You will definitely be using your heating system, so be sure to clean or replace the filters. This
should be done once a month during this season. Also remember to keep your fireplace clean.
Take a look at the faucets throughout your home. Check for leaks or any other problems and
make the needed repairs or replacements. During this time, it is also a good idea to check the
gaskets around your refrigerator and freezer - an airtight gasket is what you are looking for. If
needed, replace the gasket to ensure proper functioning. While you are working with the fridge,
you should also move it away from the wall and clean the coils on the back with a vacuum
brush.
Spring
You know it's coming - the spring, which means spring cleaning! This season is a wonderful
time to open your house up after the stuffy winter and enjoy the fresh air - so go ahead and
open those air vents in the attic. This will promote good ventilation throughout the house.
Now that you won't need them, remove the storm windows - clean them before storing. When
you do this, it is the perfect time to put the screens back on your exterior windows and doors.
And while you're at it, go ahead and also check the door locks, hinges, latches, and other
hardware on your doors (inside and outside). Lubricate, repair, and replace as needed.
Do you remember that nursery rhyme, "April showers bring May flowers?" Well, the rainfall
during the spring can lead to leaky roofs and basements. Inspect your roof for any damaged
shingles or structures and do the same in your basement. In the basement, look for dampness
or any standing water.
The spring is the first season in which you will really need to worry about your lawn, so make
sure that your lawn care equipment is in good working order. Replace any spark plugs, fuel
filters, and air filters in these machines. Treat your lawnmower like you would your car - give it
an oil change, check the belts, and fuel lines as well. If the blades need sharpening, now is the
time.
