Checklists

We’ll be adding our home maintenance checklists here. Your feedback will help us find formats that work best for you … so let us know what you like, or what you feel is missing.

… complete My Handyman Checklist (Downloadable PDF)

Top Twenty (20) Spring Home Maintenance projects:

• We had severe winter storms in southern NH, so top priority should be finding and repairing any damage remaining.
  • Check your home’s exterior for roof or siding materials that  are missing or loose.
  • If you had ice dams, check your attic to see if you had any water leaks (you’ll see black streaks) that you haven’t found.
  • If you used rock salt on steps, clean them thoroughly to reduce damage from salt leaching into materials, as even concrete will crack and chip due to salt.
• Exterior home maintenance
  • Roof - check for missing or loose materials; check around chimney, vents & skylights for leaks.
  • Gutters - clean once a year, twice a year if significant tree coverage; many houses have different needs on each side of the house so clean as often as needed, and no more.
  • Siding & paint - check for cracks, gaps and peeling. Replace caulk if necessary.
  • Wood trim - check for “spongy or soft to the touch” and repair/replace as needed. Most susceptible to water damage so scrape, repair & paint every year:
    

    Cleaning Gutters

    • All wood trim on one/more sides of your house where shrubs prevent drying out.
    • Window sills and kick boards below exterior doors, and
    • Fascia (vertical) boards underneath gutters.
  • Doors & windows - repair screens, install/swap screens for storm doors/windows. Replace weather stripping as needed.
  • Mailboxes, etc - repair damage done during snow removal to mailboxes, fencing, stairs, etc.
  • Deck - clean, repair and stain. Stain wears better & easier to maintain, i.e. doesn’t peel.
  • Grill - clean outdoor grill; check to insure it’s working properly.
  • Exterior faucets - turn water on & check faucets for leaks. Be prepared to shut water off.
• Interior home maintenance
  • Attic - check insulation for dampness and replace as needed. Add more ventilation to insure moisture doesn’t get trapped.
  • Bathrooms - check caulking and grout, and repair as needed to prevent water damage or mold.
  • A/Cs - install window A/Cs so you’re ready for the warm weather. Check central A/C duct work and insure no leaks.
  • Safety - check batteries for smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Spring is a fun time to hold a family fire drill.
  • Ceiling fans - clean (lots of dust on top) and check to insure fans are operating properly.
  • Appliances - clean refrigerator coils, stove exhaust hood and dryer vents.
  • Basement - check walls and floor for dampness; address source of humidity where possible; run sump pump to insure it’s functioning properly before spring rain.
  • Hot Water Heater - drain twice a year and clean out deposits on bottom.
  • Dehumidifier - clean periodically and make sure they’re working properly.
• Enjoy the warm weather
  • Smell the flowers and relax with friends and family as you’ll never get to relive today!