Test smoke & CO alarms
Smoke & CO alarms
Working alarms are the single biggest factor in surviving a house fire.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $30
- Time
- 15 min
A dead alarm offers zero warning when it matters most.
How & when to do itOctober home maintenance checklist
Fall — winterize before the first hard freeze. Here are the tasks worth doing in October — sorted so you start with what matters most.
Clean the dryer vent duct
Dryer vent
Lint is highly flammable and builds up where you can't see it.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $150
- Time
- 45 min
Clogged dryer vents cause thousands of house fires every year.
How & when to do itTest the water heater TPR valve
Water heater
The temperature & pressure-relief valve is a safety device that prevents the tank from over-pressurizing.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $25
- Time
- 15 min
A stuck TPR valve turns a water heater into a dangerous pressure vessel.
How & when to do itCritical
When a pipe bursts, every minute counts. Know where the valve is before you need it.
- How often
- Every 2 yr
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 15 min
Thousands in water damage while you search for the shutoff during a flood.
How & when to do itReplace HVAC air filter
Heating & cooling (HVAC)
A clogged filter makes your system work harder, raising bills and shortening its life.
- How often
- Every 3 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $10–$30
- Time
- 10 min
Frozen coils or a burned-out blower motor — a $1,500+ repair.
How & when to do itTest GFCI outlets
Electrical
GFCI outlets near water protect you from shock — but they wear out silently.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $25
- Time
- 15 min
A failed GFCI removes shock protection in kitchens and bathrooms.
How & when to do itClean gutters & downspouts
Roof & gutters
Clogged gutters send water into your foundation, fascia, and basement.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $200
- Time
- 1.5 hr
Foundation cracks and basement flooding — repairs run into the thousands.
How & when to do itCheck toilets for silent leaks
Plumbing
A few drops of food coloring in the tank reveal a leaking flapper that quietly wastes water.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $20
- Time
- 15 min
A silent toilet leak can waste hundreds of gallons a day and inflate your water bill.
How & when to do itFlush sediment from water heater
Water heater
Sediment buildup wastes energy and corrodes the tank from the inside.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $150
- Time
- 45 min
A ruptured tank that floods the floor — and a surprise $1,200 replacement.
How & when to do itMoney-saving
Rubber supply hoses are a top cause of catastrophic indoor flooding.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $40
- Time
- 20 min
A burst hose can dump 600+ gallons an hour into your home.
How & when to do itVacuum refrigerator condenser coils
Major appliances
Dusty coils make the fridge run hot and die years early.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $20
- Time
- 20 min
Premature compressor failure — and spoiled groceries.
How & when to do itWinterize / blow out irrigation lines
Lawn & irrigation
Water left in lines freezes, expands, and cracks pipes and valves.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $120
- Time
- 1 hr
Burst irrigation lines and a spring full of repairs.
How & when to do itPhoto-document your belongings for insurance
Home inventory
A simple photo walkthrough makes insurance claims far easier after a loss.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 1 hr
Without proof, claims get denied or shortchanged.
How & when to do itCheck your home's water pressure
Plumbing
A cheap gauge on a hose bib tells you if pressure is in the safe 40–60 psi range.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $10–$15
- Time
- 15 min
Excessive pressure stresses every pipe, fitting, and appliance until something bursts.
How & when to do itInspect outlets and cords for damage
Electrical
Warm outlets, scorch marks, and frayed cords are early warnings of a fire hazard.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $25
- Time
- 30 min
Damaged outlets and cords are a leading ignition source for electrical fires.
How & when to do itInspect roof flashing and seals
Roof & gutters
Flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys is where most roof leaks actually start.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $200
- Time
- 30 min
Failed flashing leaks water into the attic long before shingles look worn.
How & when to do itDeep-clean the dryer lint trap housing
Dryer vent
Lint slips past the screen and builds up in the housing your screen sits in, restricting airflow.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 20 min
Hidden lint buildup is both a fire risk and the reason loads take two cycles to dry.
How & when to do itClean the septic effluent filter
Septic system
The effluent filter catches solids before they reach the drain field; it clogs and needs cleaning.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $100
- Time
- 30 min
A clogged filter causes backups into the house and stresses the drain field.
How & when to do itTest the garage door balance
Garage door
A balanced door stays put halfway open; if it slams down, the springs are failing.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 10 min
An unbalanced door overloads the opener and can drop unexpectedly.
How & when to do itReplace worn weatherstripping
Exterior & siding
Fresh weatherstripping around doors and windows stops drafts and lowers heating and cooling bills.
- How often
- Every 2 yr
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $10–$40
- Time
- 1 hr
Worn seals leak conditioned air all year, quietly raising every energy bill.
How & when to do itPump the septic tank
Septic system
Routine pumping prevents backups and protects the drain field.
- How often
- Every 3 yr
- Who
- Hire a pro
- Cost
- $300–$600
- Time
- 2 hr
A failed drain field is a $10,000+ replacement.
How & when to do itCheck the water heater anode rod
Water heater
The sacrificial anode rod corrodes so the tank doesn't; replacing a spent rod can double tank life.
- How often
- Every 3 yr
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- $20–$60
- Time
- 45 min
Once the rod is gone, the tank rusts from the inside and fails years early.
How & when to do itReplace alarms older than 10 years
Smoke & CO alarms
Sensors degrade; manufacturers rate alarms for about 10 years.
- How often
- Every 10 yr
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $20–$60
- Time
- 30 min
An expired sensor may not trigger even when it appears to work.
How & when to do itClean the dishwasher filter
Major appliances
A clean filter means cleaner dishes and no funky smell.
- How often
- Every 3 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 10 min
Poor drainage and a shortened appliance life.
How & when to do itClean the range hood grease filter
Major appliances
A degreased filter lets the hood actually vent smoke, steam, and cooking grease.
- How often
- Every 3 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $20
- Time
- 15 min
A grease-clogged filter is a kitchen fire risk and leaves the hood useless.
How & when to do itOptional
Clearing slow drains with hot water and a safe cleaner keeps small clogs from becoming blockages.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $15
- Time
- 20 min
A neglected slow drain becomes a full backup that needs an emergency plumber.
How & when to do itLubricate garage door springs and rollers
Garage door
A few minutes with the right lubricant keeps the door quiet and the hardware from wearing out.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $5–$15
- Time
- 20 min
Dry, neglected hardware fails early and strains the opener motor.
How & when to do itReplace the refrigerator water filter
Major appliances
A fresh filter keeps drinking water and ice clean and protects the dispenser system.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $20–$60
- Time
- 10 min
An old filter stops filtering and can harbor bacteria and bad taste.
How & when to do itTest garage door auto-reverse & sensors
Garage door
The auto-reverse safety feature protects kids and pets.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 10 min
A failed sensor turns a heavy door into a hazard.
How & when to do itRe-caulk windows, doors & trim
Exterior & siding
Fresh caulk keeps water and pests out and cuts drafts.
- How often
- Every 2 yr
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $15–$60
- Time
- 2 hr
Water intrusion behind siding leads to rot and mold.
How & when to do itSet water heater temperature to 120°F
Water heater
120°F is hot enough for comfort and safety while saving energy and preventing scalding.
- How often
- Every 2 yr
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 10 min
Higher settings waste energy and risk scald burns, especially for kids.
How & when to do itHave the electrical panel inspected
Electrical
Older panels and aluminum wiring are known fire risks worth a pro's eyes.
- How often
- Every 5 yr
- Who
- Hire a pro
- Cost
- $100–$300
- Time
- 1 hr
Undetected wiring faults are a leading cause of house fires.
How & when to do itInstall whole-home surge protection
Electrical
A panel-mounted surge protector shields every device in the home from voltage spikes.
- How often
- Every 10 yr
- Who
- Hire a pro
- Cost
- $200–$400
- Time
- 2 hr
One storm surge can fry electronics, appliances, and HVAC boards at once.
How & when to do it