Buying a home can be a stressful time, and can be made more intimidating if you’re moving out of a family home or rental accommodation where it is now all on you to keep your house in top condition. It can feel like a never ending to-do list, so to make it a bit more manageable, we’ve created a home maintenance checklist to help keep you on track. Broken down by season and by frequency, you can tick off each of these tasks when the time comes round.

By Season

Spring

Probably the time everyone is most ready for a bit of a tidy and spring clean! Get these items off your to-do list and bask in the accomplished feeling.

  • Give The Roof of Your Home A Check
    Is there any moss growth on the roof? Are there any loose tiles? Once you’re happy everything is okay, take time to clean out the guttering and drainage holes. If you have a chimney, is it in good shape? If not, arrange an appointment with a professional to take a look (and maybe someone to give it a clean too).
  • Show Your Windows Some Love
    The sun is starting to shine through them again and show up all the marks. Take time to clean them on the inside and the outside so they are sparkly clean (look at hiring a professional if you’re not sure on the upstairs ones). Whilst cleaning, take the time to check for any damage or rot, and arrange for any minor repairs or replacements.
  • Do The Spring Clean
    Yes, let's cover the obvious one. Now is the time to have a big clean after the winter. Have a sort out of each room and remove any clutter. Move the big bits of furniture and have a good clean behind and around them. If you want more tips on how to tackle the spring clean, we have a full guide in our news section.
  • Get Outside
    It’s not quite warm enough to fully enjoy outside, but we’re usually blessed with a few dry, clear days to start taking a look at the garden. Take the time to clear any dead leaves and weeds. Have a good sweep around, and potentially use a jet wash to get rid of built up grime. Give any of your trees or hedges a prune.
  • Adjust Your Thermostat
    The temperatures are finally starting to heat up, which means you can review your thermostat and any heating schedules you have in place. Assess what works best for your household, but try and drop it to a slightly cooler temperature and lessen the hours it is on.

Summer

The months where you want to be enjoying everything that outside has to offer, so get these few things off your to-do list so you can get back to enjoying your garden.

  • Get In The Garden
    As with the spring cleaning, getting in the garden in the summer is a fairly obvious check. Take some time to clean off your garden furniture. Clear and clean any decking, patio and pathways around your home. Pull out the BBQ and give it a good scrub, so it’s ready for the next impromptu BBQ. Tend to your lawn, with regular mows and de-weeding.
  • Paint The Perimeter
    The warmer weather is the ideal time for a fresh lick of paint. Whether it’s your fence panels, doors or decking. Try and paint earlier on in the day, so it has time to dry before the evening temperature drops. However, before you even start the painting, make sure to check that everything is in good shape, otherwise it is worth repairing or replacing before you put time into painting.
  • Clean Any Upholstery
    While we’ve got the warmer weather that is great for drying, clean any upholstery that is normally neglected. Think duvets, pillows, curtains, sofa covers etc. Give them a good wash, leave them to dry and either put back or pack away, ready for when they’re needed. Try and get them washed early in the morning so you can maximise your drying time!
  • Check For Leaks And Reseal
    Take a look around your sink, bath and toilet for any potential leaks or damage. Arrange for any repairs that are needed. Look to reseal and regrout, so that your bathroom is in good shape. The extra summer light will help with this task, just make sure to keep your bathroom dry whilst you complete your resealing.
  • Service Your Boiler
    It’s normal to associate having your boiler serviced in the winter, however having it looked at in the summer is a great idea. Boiler service companies are less busy, and you may save money by avoiding an expensive call out for problems in winter.

Arrange an appointment and get your heating system in great shape before we hit the cooler months.

Autumn

The nights are starting to draw in, there’s crispy leaves everywhere, and you have these few things to tick off your to-do list.

  • Keep Garden Debris Cleared
    When the trees shed their leaves, it is really beautiful - but when the leaves build up, get wet and collect on your paths they can cause problems. Clearing garden debris is an ongoing task throughout the season to avoid any slip or trip hazards. It may also be worthwhile tethering down any larger outdoor furniture so that it is less likely to be damaged during bad weather.
  • Check Guttering (Again)
    You checked it in the spring, but with lots of falling leaves and wet weather, you'll want to check it again. Make sure any drainage points are clear of debris, so your guttering can work effectively if there is heavy rain.
  • Improve Your Security
    With the darker nights, you’ll want to make sure you can enter and exit your property safely, and keep your home secure. Check outdoor lighting, and replace or install additional lighting if you are struggling to see your pathway or door. If you do have any home security cameras, make sure they are clear of any dirt build up or spider webs. If you’ve locked up outbuildings like sheds for the winter, make sure the locks are in good shape and secure.
  • Insulate Your Pipes
    Insulating your pipes may help you save money on your energy bills and will help to avoid any issues with frozen pipes over the winter. Focus on smaller pipes that will be more susceptible to freezing. It’s an easy process you can do yourself, and most DIY stores stock the insulation.
  • Bleed Your Radiators
    Bleeding your radiators lets out any air that may be stopping your radiator from working effectively, and not heating up as much as it could. Whilst you do this you could give your radiators a check too and remove any built up dust. Re-evaluate your heating schedule and change the thermostat if necessary.

Winter

You’re going to spend the winter months safely tucked up inside, so to keep you warm and cosy, consider the following

  • Focus On Home Entry
    There’s suddenly about to be lots more mud and water traipsed into your home on a daily basis. Make sure that you have a doormat that is kept clear, and potentially a waterproof box for shoes and a boot scraper to avoid additional dirt being brought into your home each day.
  • Avoid Damp
    It may sound counterproductive, but you need to still open the windows occasionally, as well as use extractor fans if you have them to avoid the build-up of condensation. Regularly check for damp, especially in places such as the bathroom, and take action quickly if you spot any damp or mould.
  • Check Storm Damage
    With the season we are more prone for stormy weather, so before and after any bad bouts take the time to check for loose tiles or fence panels, as well as ensure furniture or anything that could be a flight risk is tied down securely. If there are any tree branches that are looking a bit precarious and are near your windows, conservatory or car, find a safe time to trim or remove them.
  • Hold The Heat
    With the cooler weather, you’ll want to look for ways to hold in the heat of your home. You’ve already serviced the boiler and bled the radiators, but also make sure to check your loft insulation and the seal of your windows and doors. Locate any draughts and repair if needed, or cover with a draught excluder if safe to do so.
  • Some Christmas Sparkle
    If you’re a fan of a big light display over the festive season, make sure to check the plugs of each of your lights, as well as the sockets you plan to plug them into. Don’t overload any plugs, make sure to plan so that lights are evenly spread across sockets. Also, check for wires, and make sure they are safely tucked away to avoid trip hazards.

Frequent Home Maintenance Tasks

These are the tasks you’ll need to complete fairly regularly (for example monthly) to ensure your home is safe and running as efficiently as possible.

  • Check your boiler pressure and make sure it is topped up Smoke/carbon monoxide alarm test
  • Clean dishwasher and top up salt
  • Clean washing machine and tumble dryer, and remove any lint fluff
  • Clean the fridge/freezer, throw anything that has passed its date and wipe everything down
  • Clean the hood extractor filter from your stove
  • Clean your oven and any trays that have built up grease Unclog and clean any sink drains in your home
  • Check for signs of leaks and damp - pay attention in particular to the kitchen, bathrooms and around window sills

Remember, if you’re a Jelson customer you have access to a variety of different maintenance guides through the My Jelson Home portal. These will help keep your property in tip top shape.

If you’re looking for more help and guidance around making your house a home, then check out our news section which is packed with tons of useful resources and insightful tips that will make being a homeowner that little bit easier.