For every month, you will see three category of tasks – reoccurring, maintain, and prep. Prep is for those who are way behind in home maintenance chores. I would suggest starting there if that sounds like you and then adding on what you can from reoccurring and then maintain. If you need help with those chores, join our free course, Prep. The chores listed under Maintain are the chores we are covering in our course.
🔁 Reoccurring Tasks
- Change HVAC filter (add a reminder to your calendar to check it again in 1 to 3 months.)
- Clean under the fridge and other appliances. It helps them run more efficiently and helps you keep an eye on any potential issues before they snowball into emergencies.
- Test your GFCI outlets. Save yourself future headaches and possibly a fire by making sure electricity is flowing as it should.
- If you have a front load washer, drain the pump filter and give the machine a good clean (google your make and model if you do not have the book anymore for instructions).
- Check water softener salt levels (if you have one- a must if you have a water heater and a softener.)
- Change HVAC filter (add a reminder to your calendar to check it again in 1 to 3 months.)
- Look for ice dams or icicles (for those in colder climates)
- Clean your kitchen disposal and/or drains. It keeps away odors and germs and helps you avoid clogs.
- Run water and/or flush unused toilets and sinks. It keeps water in the p-trap, which prevents sewer gas to seep through.
🛠️ Maintain
This month is easy enough since putting up Christmas is a large task itself.
- Tidy and clean the garage. You are in there putting Christmas up, might as well spend a few minutes cleaning and tidying it up too (unless its super cold….then I give you a free pass).
- Inspect and clean your bathroom fans For real, these things can cause fires… and fall on you….or lead to major mold and structural problems. It’s well worth an afternoon to prevent $$$ issues down the road.
- Update your inventory. Handy for insurance claims and maintenance records.
🧰 Prep
Haven’t been keeping up with home maintenance? Keep it simple and just do these tasks to start. These tasks are the one and done tasks you can do that will make future maintenance and DIY task so much easier.
- New? Join one of our orientation sessions
- Make a floor plan.
- Make your garage more useable.
- Label your circuit panel.
- Find and label your water and gas valves.
Skills needed for the month
Learn about bathroom vents
Never given much thought to your bathroom vent? It does more than you might think.
Learn how to super clean your bathroom vent
It’s not my favorite task but it’s easier than you think.