HousehandFirst-year homeowner checklistHousehand · househand.illuminationdevelopment.com
First-year homeowner checklist
Every job on the checklist that comes up within a year, grouped by how often. Do each one once and you know where you stand.
Every month
- Test smoke and CO alarms U.S. Fire Administration
- Check fire extinguishers National Fire Protection Association
- Test GFCI outlets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Test the sump pump Liberty Pumps if you have one
- Top up water softener salt Culligan if you have one
- Clean the dishwasher filter Whirlpool
- Clean range hood filter Broan-NuTone
Every 3 months
- Change HVAC filter ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA)
Every 6 months
- Switch ceiling fan direction ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA)
- Check for leaks under sinks University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
- Check tub and shower caulk University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
- Replace whole-house water filter 3M Aqua-Pure / Solventum if you have one
- Replace fridge water filter Whirlpool if you have one
- Clean the gutters West Virginia University Extension
- Inspect the roof National Roofing Contractors Association
- Check exterior caulk and weatherstripping University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
- Lubricate the garage door Clopay
Once a year
- Replace alarm batteries U.S. Fire Administration
- Service the air conditioner ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA)
- Service the furnace or heat pump ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA)
- Inspect the chimney Chimney Safety Institute of America (citing NFPA 211) if you have one
- Flush the water heater A. O. Smith
- Inspect washing machine hoses Whirlpool
- Clean refrigerator coils GE Appliances
- Clean the dryer vent National Fire Protection Association
- Winterize outdoor faucets University of Georgia Cooperative Extension if you have one
- Check the sprinkler system U.S. EPA WaterSense if you have one
- Check and seal the deck Thompson's WaterSeal if you have one
- Service the lawn mower Briggs & Stratton if you have one
- Inspect for termites and pests National Pest Management Association
Longer than a year
These repeat every two years or more, so what you need is the date each was last done. The smoke alarms have theirs printed on the back.
| Task | How often | Last done |
|---|---|---|
| Replace smoke alarmsU.S. Fire Administration | every 10 years | |
| Check the water heater anode rodBradford White | every 2 years | |
| Pump the septic tank if you have oneU.S. EPA | every 3 years |
General guidance for a typical Northern Hemisphere home; your manufacturer's instructions come first. Free from househand.illuminationdevelopment.com
More printables: Emergency info sheetAppliance and filter logMaintenance spreadsheet
Househand reminds you when each one is due
Paper works until it goes on the fridge and stays there. The Househand app keeps the same checklist and tells you when each job comes due, based on when you last did it.
- A reminder when a job is due, not on a fixed date
- A history of what you did and when
- The same schedule as this site, optional tasks and all