Maintenance needs vary by property, equipment, climate and local requirements. Always follow manufacturer guidance and use qualified professionals where appropriate.
Quick answer
What home maintenance should you keep track of?
Focus on the parts of the home that protect it from water, weather, fire, equipment failure and gradual wear. Record recurring checks, professional servicing and repairs so you know what was done and when.
- Inspect
- Maintain
- Service
- Repair
- Record
- Repeat
01
Simple monthly checks
These should be quick observations rather than major projects. Potential checks:
- Look for new leaks or water stains
- Check areas around sinks and appliances
- Make sure ventilation openings are unobstructed
- Look for unusual condensation or moisture
- Notice unusual equipment noises
- Review obvious exterior damage after severe weather
- Test safety equipment according to manufacturer guidance
The goal is familiarity. When you regularly notice how the home normally looks and sounds, changes become easier to spot.
02
Tasks every few months
Depending on your home and equipment:
- Clean or replace appropriate filters
- Clean extractor or ventilation grilles
- Inspect accessible drains
- Check sealant around wet areas
- Inspect doors and windows for damage
- Check exterior drainage paths
- Review equipment for warning messages
- Inspect areas that have previously had moisture problems
Use the manufacturer's recommended intervals rather than assuming every system follows the same schedule.
03
Spring maintenance
Spring is a useful time to inspect how the home handled winter.
- Inspect gutters and visible drainage
- Look for winter damage to exterior surfaces
- Inspect roof areas that are safely visible
- Check exterior sealants and joints
- Inspect outdoor taps and water systems
- Prepare garden equipment
- Check windows and doors
- Review ventilation
- Look for signs of moisture
Use a professional for inspections that cannot be completed safely from accessible areas.
04
Summer maintenance
Summer can be a good time for exterior work. Potential tasks:
- Inspect exterior paint or finishes
- Maintain timber surfaces
- Clean accessible exterior drainage
- Inspect terraces or decks
- Check fences and gates
- Service garden equipment
- Inspect exterior joints and sealants
- Complete planned repairs while conditions allow
Use appropriate professional advice for structural or safety-related work.
05
Autumn maintenance
Autumn preparation can reduce winter problems.
- Clear accessible leaves from drainage areas
- Inspect gutters
- Check exterior drains
- Review heating before cold weather
- Inspect windows and doors
- Store seasonal equipment
- Check outdoor lighting
- Review moisture-prone areas
- Schedule required professional servicing
06
Winter maintenance
During colder months, focus on monitoring. Potential tasks:
- Watch for condensation
- Monitor heating performance
- Look for leaks after severe weather
- Keep ventilation functioning
- Inspect accessible exterior areas after storms
- Respond promptly to water ingress
- Track recurring cold or damp areas
Do not block ventilation in an attempt to make the home warmer.
07
Annual professional servicing
Some equipment or systems require professional inspection or servicing. This might include heating equipment, fireplaces or chimneys, ventilation systems, alarms, pumps, specialist electrical systems, cooling systems and other installed equipment.
The correct servicing schedule depends on the equipment, manufacturer and local requirements.
For each service, record
- Date
- Provider
- Work completed
- Next service
- Document
08
Exterior maintenance
The exterior protects everything inside.
Keep an eye on
- Roof
- Gutters
- Drainage
- Walls and cladding
- Windows and doors
Also check
- Joints and sealants
- Terraces
- Fences
- External pipework
Look for
- Cracks or movement
- Peeling finishes
- Blocked drainage
- Water staining
- Loose components
If something appears structural, unsafe or difficult to access, use a qualified professional.
09
Keep equipment information together
For important equipment, record
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Serial number
- Purchase date
- Warranty
- Manual
- Service history
- Relevant receipt
- Location in the home
This makes maintenance much easier when a warning appears or a replacement part is needed.
10
Build your own maintenance schedule
A generic checklist is only a starting point. Create your actual schedule using:
- 1The systems your home contains
- 2Manufacturer recommendations
- 3Known property issues
- 4Seasonal conditions
- 5Professional advice
- 6Local requirements
Then decide what needs checking, how often, who should do it, what documents should be saved and when the next action is due.
Practical maintenance record
| Task | Area | Frequency | Last done | Next due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating service | Area: Heating | Frequency: Per manufacturer | Last done: Date | Next due: Date |
| Inspect gutters | Area: Exterior | Frequency: As appropriate | Last done: Date | Next due: Date |
| Check wet-area sealant | Area: Bathroom | Frequency: Periodically | Last done: Date | Next due: Date |
