Once your custom-built home has been completed, you are going to have a sense of both satisfaction and relief. Your work is not done, however. Now that the home is done and looking spectacular, you want to keep it that way, which is why we have put together a sample preventive maintenance schedule for new custom-built homeowners.
Monthly Schedule:
- HVAC filters – depending upon the types of filters used, you will need to change them either monthly or quarterly. Changing out these filters at the appropriate time ensures your HVAC unit performs at its peak and keeps your indoor air clean and fresh.
- Garbage Disposal – you should check this at least once a week for blockages and wear. I like to run a cleaning cycle through it as well, which is nothing more than adding a half-cup of banking soda and a cup of white vinegar. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, then flush it by turning on the garbage disposal with hot water to wash it all down.
- Drains -check all of your household drains to ensure they are working correctly and not clogged.
Quarterly Schedule:
- Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors – give them all a quick check every quarter to ensure batteries are still working. Change out as needed.
- Pest Inspection – depending upon where you live, you may want to move this to a monthly inspection, but quarterly is fine for most homes. Doing this quarterly will prevent an infestation from getting to the point where it can actually damage the structure itself.
- Garage Door – lubricate all moving parts quarterly.
Bi-Annual Schedule:
- Water Heater – drain your heater every six months and have it inspected to ensure everything is working correctly.
- Gutters & Downspouts – the best time to check these are after the fall and spring, when they are likely to have gathered extra debris. There are now some great kits you can buy to attach to your gutters to prevent blockage, so this may be the way to go to avoid this task.
- Windows & Doors – check your seals and weatherstripping, and replace them as needed.
Annual Schedule:
- Roof – give the roof a thorough once over, checking for signs of wear, loose shingles, and leaks.
- Foundation – this is extremely important for a new home. Check for cracks and any other signs of settling.
- Safety Equipment – check to ensure all fire extinguishers are in good condition and working.
- Landscaping – on a new property especially, check for any trees that are starting to grow over the house, dead branches, and roots that can cause plumbing issue. This can prevent significant damage to the home in years to come.
- Plumbing – regardless of whether you are seeing problems or not, it is always good to do an overall check once a year.
- Appliances – pull out the fridge, dust off those coils, check washing machine hoses, dryer vents, etc.
Long-term Checks:
- Depending on the conditions of where you live, exterior painting should be redone once every five to 10 years.
- Depending on the wear and tear of your outdoor deck, it may need to be resealed or stained every two to five years.
- HVAC units should be checked by a professional every few years to ensure they are working correctly.
As you can see, the work does not stop when you get the keys to your new home. But spending just a few hours a month on these general tasks can help ensure that your home stays in good working condition and you avoid expensive repairs down the road.