Complimentary Seasonal Checklists
Spring Checklist
Spring has long been associated with renewal and re-birth. From the arrival of the next generation of livestock on the farm, to our celebration of Resurrection Sunday, spring is a time for new beginnings. Many choose to use this season to assess that pantry, go through that closet, or do some long-needed “spring cleaning”. Spring is also a great time for the responsible homeowner to thoroughly go through their home, inside and out, and revitalize it.
Spring Checklist
- Vacuum air registers to remove dust and debris.
- Clean your refrigerator coils – Your fridge’s owner’s manual, or the manufacturers’ website, should detail how to do this. Make sure you unplug the appliance before you begin. Because dirt and dust buildup interferes with your refrigerator’s cooling ability. Vacuuming the coils will save you money on your electric bills.
- Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
- Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter.
- Clean dryer vent.
- Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.
- Check the caulking around showers and bathtubs – Replace cracked or peeling caulk. This will prevent water damage and preserve your home.
- Check sinks and toilets for leaks.
- Inspect hoses on washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker for leaks.
- Inspect weatherstripping around doors and windows – repair any that are damaged or deteriorating. Poorly sealed doors and windows can be a major location of leaking conditioned air. If you feel drafts, call Hot Shotz today! We have the specialized equipment, training, and experience to locate and mitigate air leakage.
- Test detectors and replace batteries (every 6 months) – Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors quarterly, and replace the batteries in all of your detectors. A good time to do this is spring and fall. We live in a location that participates in daylight savings time, so when you set your clocks forward, change those batteries! While you’re at it, swap out the batteries of your flashlights too!
- Test your electricity – Be very, very careful, and call an expert if you need help. On your own, however, you can check to see that all your outlets work – including your GFCI outlets – and change your lightbulbs (switching all bulbs to LED’s can make a significant cut to your electric bill).
- Flush out the water heater – Test the temperature pressure relief valve, remove sediment that has built up, and test the settings on your water heater. Learn how to set your water heater temperature.
- Change furnace filters.
- Clean chimney to remove creosote build up.
- Schedule a service call to have your air conditioner checked, or check it yourself – Uncover your air conditioning unit and check on it before the first hot day of summer. You should ensure that your air conditioner is in good working condition and isn’t wasting energy.
- Check your home’s crawl space – Look for water damage, animals, or other objects that shouldn’t be there. If you find damage, contact us for help!
- Check basement conditions — Clean your basement dehumidifier, and search for leaks or other damp conditions.
- Inspect attic area – Check for moisture issues as well as pest infiltration (you don’t need a family of raccoons living up there!). If there appears to be mold growth, call in an expert right away.
- Maintain yard and exterior –remove leaves and debris from gutters, drain pipes, and basement window wells.
- Bonus Items:
- Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc. Go through the house and inspect anything that could have a loose screw.
- Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. If anything doesn’t work right, replace.
- Remove showerheads and clean sediment. This prolongs its life and helps with water pressure as well.
- Change direction of ceiling fans.
- Make sure all power strips are functioning properly.
Summer Checklist
In climates that experience the teeth of winter (like ours), summer can feel like a time to forget all the stresses of the cold and just relax. But before you break out the hammock and BBQ grill, there are a few simple steps that every homeowner should take to make sure that their home has fully recovered from all that ice and snow.
Summer Checklist
- Vacuum air registers to remove dust and debris.
- Change furnace filters.
- Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
- Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.
- Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter.
- Clean dryer vent.
- Ensure that your air conditioner is in good working condition and isn’t wasting energy.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors quarterly. While you’re at it, swap out the batteries of your flashlights too!
- Check your home’s crawl space — Look for water damage, animals, or other objects that shouldn’t be there. If you find damage, contact us for help!
- Check basement conditions — Clean your basement dehumidifier, and search for leaks or other damp conditions.
- Inspect attic area — Check for moisture issues as well as pest infiltration (you don’t need a family of raccoons living up there!). If you find what appears to be mold growth, call in an expert right away.
- Maintain yard and exterior — remove leaves and debris from gutters, drain pipes, and basement window wells.
- Check exterior caulking on doors and windows – repair as needed.
- Repaint as needed – including porches and decks.
- Check exterior faucets for leaks.
Fall Checklist
Autumn is beautiful. With crisp fall mornings and warm golden afternoons, autumn is also our driest season. However, as we get enamored with the vivid colors of the changing leaves and the cornucopia of harvest fruits and vegetables, it’s easy to forget how that cool, crisp air will soon turn to bitter cold and the dry season of fall will soon turn to the cold rain and snow of winter. A wise homeowner will take steps to make sure their home is prepared for those changes.
Fall Checklist
- Vacuum air registers to remove dust and debris.
- Clean your refrigerator coils – Your fridge’s owner’s manual, or the manufacturers’ website, should detail how to do this. Make sure you unplug the appliance before you begin. Because dirt and dust buildup interferes with your refrigerator’s cooling ability. Vacuuming the coils will save you money on your electric bills.
- Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
- Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter.
- Clean dryer vent.
- Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.
- Check the caulking around showers and bathtubs – Replace cracked or peeling caulk. This will prevent water damage and preserve your home.
- Check sinks and toilets for leaks.
- Inspect hoses on washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker for leaks.
- Inspect weatherstripping around doors and windows – repair any that are damaged or deteriorating. Poorly sealed doors and windows can be a major location of leaking conditioned air. If you feel drafts, call Hot Shotz today! We have the specialized equipment, training, and experience to locate and mitigate air leakage.
- Test detectors and replace batteries (every 6 months) – Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors quarterly, and replace the batteries in all of your detectors. A good time to do this is fall and spring. We live in a location that participates in daylight savings time, so when you set your clocks back, change those batteries!
- Test your electricity – Be very, very careful, and call an expert if you need help. On your own, however, you can check to see that all your outlets work – including your GFCI outlets – and change your lightbulbs (switching all bulbs to LED’s can make a significant cut to your electric bill).
- Cover your air conditioning unit, and schedule a day to check on it again before the first hot day of summer
- Change furnace filters.
- Clean chimney to remove creosote build up.
- Check your home’s crawl space – Look for water damage, animals, or other objects that shouldn’t be there. If you find damage, contact us for help!
- Check basement conditions — Clean your basement dehumidifier, and search for leaks or other damp conditions.
- Inspect attic area – Check for moisture issues as well as pest infiltration (you don’t need a family of raccoons living up there!). If there appears to be mold growth, call in an expert right away.
- Maintain yard and exterior – Rake those leaves! Fallen leaves that build up next to a home’s foundation can be a source of moisture problems. Remove leaves and debris from gutters, drain pipes, and basement window wells.
- Prevent frozen pipes — Hard frosts and freezes have been known to occur in autumn. Drain sprinkler systems and disconnect your garden hose.
- Bonus Items:
- Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc. Go through the house and inspect anything that could have a loose screw.
- Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. If anything doesn’t work right, replace.
- Remove showerheads and clean sediment. This prolongs its life and helps with water pressure as well.
- Change direction of ceiling fans.
- Make sure all power strips are functioning properly.
Winter Checklist
The onset of winter is a good time to take a close look at your home. With temperatures dropping and wet weather moving in, your home can take a beating. But there are several low-cost steps that a responsible homeowner can take to ensure their investment remains as durable, comfortable, and energy efficient as possible.
Winter Checklist
- Vacuum air registers to remove dust and debris.
- Change furnace filters.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors quarterly. While you’re at it, swap out the batteries of your flashlights too!
- Check your home’s crawl space – Look for water damage, animals, or other objects that shouldn’t be there. If you find damage, contact us for help!
- Check basement conditions — Clean your basement dehumidifier, and search for leaks or other damp conditions.
- Inspect attic area – Check for moisture issues as well as pest infiltration (you don’t need a family of raccoons living up there!). If there appears to be mold growth, call in an expert right away.
- Maintain yard and exterior – Shovel snow, and remove leaves from gutters, drain pipes, and basement window wells. Knock down any icicles that form. Not only are they a danger to people underneath them, but they can also cause water damage to your foundation as they melt.
- Prevent frozen pipes—If traveling, consider setting your faucets to run at a drip, and keep your thermostat to 55°F or above.
- Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
- Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.
- Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter.
- Clean dryer vent.
Take Care of Your Home
Every good homeowner wants to keep their house in tip-top shape. We’re here to help! Here are checklists, expert advice, and tips and tricks for taking care of your home. Still have questions? Schedule a complimentary home-energy inspection today!