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 itApril home maintenance checklist
Spring — tackle the exterior and water-management tasks. Here are the tasks worth doing in April — sorted so you start with what matters most.
Test the sump pump
Sump pump
Pour a bucket of water in the pit and confirm it kicks on. Simple and vital.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- 15 min
A dead pump during a storm means a flooded basement overnight.
How & when to do itClean 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 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 itClear the HVAC condensate drain line
Heating & cooling (HVAC)
Your AC pulls humidity from the air and drains it away; algae and sludge clog that line over time.
- How often
- Every 6 mo
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $20
- Time
- 20 min
A backed-up drain overflows the pan and leaks water into ceilings and walls.
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 itProfessional HVAC tune-up
Heating & cooling (HVAC)
An annual tune-up catches small failures before peak summer/winter load.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- Hire a pro
- Cost
- $80–$200
- Time
- 1.5 hr
A mid-heatwave breakdown when every tech is booked.
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 itVisual roof inspection
Roof & gutters
Spotting a few lifted shingles early prevents slow, hidden leaks.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $250
- Time
- 30 min
A small leak can rot the deck and ruin insulation before you ever see a stain.
How & when to do itTest well water quality
Well water
Annual tests catch bacteria, nitrates, and changes you can't taste.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- $20–$150
- Time
- 30 min
Contaminated water can go unnoticed until someone gets sick.
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 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 itClean the AC condenser coils
Heating & cooling (HVAC)
Dirty outdoor coils can't shed heat, so the system runs longer and works harder to cool.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $100
- Time
- 45 min
Reduced efficiency, higher bills, and early compressor wear in peak heat.
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 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 itTest the sump pump backup battery
Sump pump
Storms that flood basements often knock out power too; a backup battery keeps the pump running.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $200
- Time
- 30 min
A power outage during a storm leaves the main pump dead exactly when you need it.
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 itCheck the well pressure tank
Well water
A waterlogged pressure tank makes the pump cycle constantly, wearing it out fast.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $100
- Time
- 30 min
Short-cycling burns out an expensive well pump years before its time.
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 itTest the irrigation backflow preventer
Lawn & irrigation
The backflow preventer keeps irrigation water from siphoning back into your drinking supply.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY or pro
- Cost
- Up to $100
- Time
- 30 min
A failed preventer can contaminate household water; many areas require testing.
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 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 itCheck soil grading slopes away from foundation
Exterior & siding
Ground should slope away from the house so rain doesn't pool at the foundation.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $100
- Time
- 30 min
Water pooling at the foundation is a top cause of basement leaks.
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 itWash siding and exterior surfaces
Exterior & siding
Removing dirt, mildew, and algae protects finishes and keeps siding from degrading early.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $150
- Time
- 2 hr
Built-up grime and mildew shorten the life of paint and siding.
How & when to do itSpring start-up and sprinkler head check
Lawn & irrigation
Slowly recharging the system and checking each head catches winter damage and misaligned spray.
- How often
- Yearly
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- Up to $80
- Time
- 1 hr
Broken heads waste water and leave dry or flooded spots all season.
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 itExtend downspouts away from the foundation
Roof & gutters
Downspouts should dump water at least several feet from the house, not at the foundation.
- How often
- Every 2 yr
- Who
- DIY
- Cost
- $10–$50
- Time
- 30 min
Water pooling at the base of the home is a top cause of basement leaks and settling.
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