29 Seasonal Modular Maintenance Tasks You Need To Be Doing

Winter

Check furnace filters every 30 days – Heating your home costs a lot of money. Help it cost less by replacing your furnace filter at least every 90 days. They only cost a few dollars and can save you from expensive repairs to your furnace.

furnace filter
Changing your furnace filter every 90 days can prevent costly repairs. In the most extreme cases, dirty filters can cause a furnace to overheat and explode!

Check bottom perimeter enclosure – Whether your home rests on a foundation with a crawlspace or a full basement, you need to make sure that the foundation is flush with the home. If it isn’t, you can prevent cold air and the elements from getting in with temporary skirting.

Check your home’s crawlspace – As the temperature drops, critters from outside are going to want to stay warm in or under your house.

Remove ice buildup – Icicles dangling from your roof may look pretty, but they can be dangerous and cause damage to your roof and drains. Be extremely careful removing any ice and always clear off any snow from your roof before removing ice.

Check smoke/carbon monoxide alarm(s) – Fires can start during any season, so it’s important to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly.

Put insulation tape over your windows – Your windows should be double or triple paneled, gas filled chill-stoppers, but they can always use the extra insulation provided by clear insulation tape.

insulation tape
Applying insulation tape to windows can prevent drafty windows from increasing your heating bill. Double or triple pane glass is great, but if the seal on the windows isn’t tight enough, cold air will get in anyway.

Spring

Sump pump – If your house has a sump pump, make sure that it’s working properly before the thaw begins.

Inspect roof and clean off debris – Buildup of ice and snow on your roof (and misguided attempts to remove them) can damage your roof and shingles. Replace any broken or missing shingles as soon as possible to prevent further damage. This is usually a job for a professional.

shingle damage
Damaged or missing shingles that aren’t replaced can cause thousands of dollars of water damage to your home. Repairing them usually means hiring a professional, but holding off on repairs will cost you more in the long run.

Check your ventilation systems – Check to make sure your ventilation is moving properly, especially in the bathrooms and kitchen. As the world outside gets warmer, you’ll need to be sure that air is moving and filtering properly so you don’t end up with a mold problem.