BBB Tips: Your seasonal home maintenance checklist 

Winters are hard on homes. Sometimes, it’s not until it’s over that homeowners can see what needs attention. Whether it’s a hard-working furnace or downed tree branches, there’s a lot to look after. As the winter weather eases up, spring is the perfect time to do a little maintenance along with your spring cleaning. 

5 things to check: 

• Roofs: Check for damage. A leak might be obvious, but it’s important to consider other things, too. Consider these questions: Is there any roof damage? Are there loose shingles? Do you have moss growing on your roof? If you have a chimney, is it unobstructed? A trusted roofing professional can help you tackle these checks and diagnose your roof’s health. 

• Gutters and downspouts: The spring might be the first chance you have to clear out dead leaves and branches. Depending on the season, you might have a drainage problem if these passages are blocked. Contact a gutter maintenance expert, especially if you need to replace anything. 

• Driveways and paved areas: Lower temperatures mean concrete and asphalt can contract, putting more stress on the pavement and leading to cracks or potholes. A driveway repair company is best equipped to address these fixes. 

• Drippy faucets and leaky pipes: Even a tiny leak can drive up your water bill. If you have a leak, even a small one, it might be because of frozen water in the pipes. You should think about getting a plumber to check it. 

• Garden spaces: This is the time to jumpstart your garden planning. A gardener can help you plan and plant seedlings for growing fruits, vegetables, or flowers in your space. 

Here comes the heat. Summers mean sunshine, less precipitation and more outdoor accessibility. Now is the time to take care of your air conditioning and improve your outdoor living spaces and house exteriors. 

5 things to check: 

• HVAC units: As the temperature starts to warm up, get your air systems checked. You want to ensure you’re getting good airflow and efficiency from your HVAC units. An HVAC professional can inspect these systems, filters and controls. Pro tip: While you're checking for airflow in your home, clean your refrigerator coils and dryer vent, and change your air filters!

• House siding, paint and finishes: Depending on the materials and quality, exterior surfaces will need attention at some point. If paint or finishes are peeling or fading, a professional paint crew can tackle these jobs in the drier weather. Similarly, a siding repair company can address any concerns regarding the durability of your exteriors. You can also hire a handyman or handywoman to help with other minor home repairs.

• Yards, lawns: Summer is an optimal time to tackle your landscaping needs. Landscapers can help with pruning, lawn care, and designing outdoor spaces to make your yard look incredible.  

• Trees: As spring introduces new growth, you may start noticing that some trees aren’t blossoming anymore. They may have rot, bug infestations or dead branches. Reach out to an arborist to see how best to manage the care or removal of your trees. 

• Decking and fencing: If you have any decking or fencing, how are these features holding up? For longevity, consider having any wood surfaces professionally stained or power washed. To install or replace these features, look to the experts. 

“Winterizing” is the name of the game in the fall. With cold weather, snow, ice and rain in the months ahead, consider the parts of your home that are susceptible to damage and heavy usage. 

5 things to check: 

• Windows and doors: Do your windows and doors have gaps or spaces letting in cold air? Some window companies will customize window inserts to reduce drafts in your home. Consider hiring a window installation expert to replace any damaged or cracked windows. 

• Chimneys and fireplaces: Soot or creosote buildup could put you at risk for a chimney fire. Find a chimney sweep near you to lower the chance of problems and improve your fireplace's efficiency for a cozy atmosphere.  

• Lawns: Fall is a good time to reseed because there are fewer weeds in the cooler weather. Have the landscapers visit again to kickstart this process. 

• Heating systems: Just as with your AC in the summer, the winter could involve serious demand from your furnaces or heat pumps. Contact an HVAC professional to ensure you’re in good shape heading into the winter. 

• General fall home maintenance: Fall might be the most critical time of the year to take preventative home maintenance measures. To double down on this season, read our BBB Tip: Fall home maintenance - get ready for the winter. 

Home maintenance by season, of course, culminates in the harshest time of year: winter. 

If you’ve been staying on top of your preventative maintenance measures, winter is a great time to get hands-on about monitoring your heating systems, snow buildup, fallen branches, and airflow. Some of this could lead to the need to call any of the services mentioned in previous seasons (HVAC, plumbers, arborists). However, there are certainly other professional services to keep in mind as you tend to the livability of your home. 

5 things to check: 

• Snow accumulation: Snow can pile up around homes, roads and sidewalks, which could lead to excessive snowmelt and drainage issues. A snow removal service has the vehicles and equipment to manage your snow buildup. Ice dam removal is another task in some areas.

• Generators: If you rely on a generator to power your home – or as backup power for your home – get it tested by an electrical service technician to ensure it will perform when you need it. 

• Insulation and crawlspaces: Whether cleaning a rarely-accessed space or installing the extra buffer between you and the outside elements, an insulation contractor is ready to help. See that you insulate your water heater as well to save energy. 

• Sump pumps: If you rely on a sump pump to steer water from your house, have a plumber check to ensure it’s operating at top performance. 

• Pest services: You don’t want pests getting comfortable in your home during the cold months. Hire a pest removal service to keep these unwelcome guests from settling in.