Quarterly, Semi-Annually & Annual Home Inspection Checklist

Quarterly

Change standard HVAC Filters (use minimum Merv 8 Filters)

Semi-Annually

Inspect shower caulking for proper water seal (use siliconized caulk)
Inspect & clean roof, valleys & gutters for debris for proper water drainage.
Service humidifier (November & March)

Annually

Inspect and test smoke alarms and replace back up batteries.
Inspect and maintain proper drainage around home.
Inspect and caulk ceramic tile in the kitchen and the bath.
Service heating and air conditioning system (inspect pans and overflow for standing water).
Inspect exterior doors (finish and adjust weather stripping if needed).
Inspect and lubricate door hardware and lock sets.
Inspect and repair exterior caulking at windows, doors and siding.
Inspect and repair settling cracks (drywall).
Inspect and lubricate garage door tracks.
Inspect and repaint exterior doors as needed.
Clear ends of French drains at perimeters of foundation.
Adjust door knob latches/keepers

Helpful Articles

The Never-Ending Job: Regular Home Maintenance Can Minimize Hassles, Reduce Repair Costs
Diane Kittower, The Washington Post, 5/17/03

There's at least one fact of life that your high school health teacher didn't tell you: Houses are never really completed. "It's human nature to build something and think it's done ... but houses are always in transition. Your home has several major systems that will benefit from preventive maintenance, giving you extra years of service and fewer emergency calls to a contractor. The systems are outside water drainage, which includes the roof, gutters, downspouts and landscaping; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; plumbing; and electrical. Some maintenance must be done by professionals, but you can do a number of things yourself. Read complete article

HOUSEWATCH: Tasks to Take Seriously; New-Home Maintenance Is the Duty of Owners
Katherine Salant, The Washington Post, 3/15/97

We all know there's no free lunch. But how about a no-maintenance house? It doesn't exactly exist either, much to the chagrin of many new-home buyers. Even when maintenance requirements are acknowledged, many new-home buyers think the builder's limited warranty covers this aspect of homeownership. It's time for a reality check. Builders do not maintain houses, homeowners do. And if they don't, new-home buyers can lose the benefit of their builder's limited warranty, should the cause of a structural defect be traced to inadequate maintenance. Read complete article