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Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

The essential spring tasks to protect your home β€” based on professional inspection criteria. Want it tailored to your home's age and climate?

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What to do this Spring

Replace the HVAC air filter

Check monthly; replace at least every 3 months Β· HVAC Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: A clogged filter slows airflow and makes the system work harder, wasting energy and shortening equipment life.

How: Find the return vent or air handler, slide out the old filter, match the size printed on its edge, and insert the new one facing the airflow arrow.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Inspectors treat a dirty filter as a red flag for deferred maintenance on the whole HVAC system.

Clear debris around the AC condenser unit

Yearly, before cooling season Β· HVAC Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: Leaves and grass block airflow and make the unit work harder, risking failure in peak heat.

How: Power off at the disconnect, clear 2 ft around the unit, gently rinse fins with a hose from inside out.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Bent fins and overgrown vegetation are common write-ups in inspection reports.

Clean gutters and downspouts

Twice a year (more under trees) Β· Gutters Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: Clogged gutters overflow and drive water into the roof, fascia, and foundation β€” among the costliest water-damage causes.

How: Clear debris, flush with a hose, confirm downspouts drain 4+ ft away from the foundation.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Inspectors trace many foundation and basement-moisture issues straight back to gutter failure.

Confirm downspout extensions carry water away

Yearly and after heavy rain Β· Gutters Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: Water dumped at the foundation is a top cause of basement leaks and settlement.

How: Add or reseat extensions so each downspout discharges at least 4–6 ft from the wall, onto sloped ground.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Short or missing downspout extensions are one of the most common β€” and cheapest to fix β€” write-ups in a report.

Visually inspect the roof

Twice a year and after major storms Β· Roof Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: Missing, curling, or cracked shingles let water in; early spotting prevents deck rot and leaks.

How: From the ground with binoculars, look for damaged shingles, rusted flashing, and sagging. Don't walk the roof yourself.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Flashing at chimneys and valleys is where inspectors find the most active leaks.

Test the water heater's T&P relief valve

Yearly Β· Water Heater Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: The temperature & pressure relief valve prevents a tank from over-pressurizing; a stuck valve is a safety hazard.

How: Place a bucket under the discharge pipe, briefly lift the valve lever, and confirm it releases water and reseals. If it weeps or won't reseal, call a plumber.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Inspectors flag missing discharge pipes, corroded valves, and improper terminations as safety defects.

Check under sinks and around fixtures for leaks

Twice a year Β· Plumbing Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: Slow leaks cause hidden rot and mold long before they're obvious.

How: Feel for moisture under sinks, check supply lines and shutoff valves, look for stains on ceilings below bathrooms.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Water stains and corroded shutoffs are routine inspection write-ups.

Locate and exercise the main water shut-off

Yearly Β· Plumbing Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: In a burst-pipe emergency, every minute counts β€” a seized valve you can't find turns a leak into a flood.

How: Find the main shut-off (often where the line enters the home), turn it off and on once to keep it from seizing, and make sure everyone knows where it is.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Inspectors always identify and operate the main shut-off; a stuck or missing valve is noted as a functional concern.

Test smoke & carbon-monoxide alarms

Test monthly; swap batteries twice a year Β· Safety Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: Non-working detectors are a life-safety failure and the cheapest fix in the home.

How: Press test on each unit and replace batteries. Replace smoke alarms 10 years from the manufacture date; combination smoke/CO alarms about every 7 years.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Missing or expired detectors are a near-universal inspection callout.

Check fire extinguisher charge and date

Check yearly Β· Safety Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: A discharged or expired extinguisher is useless in the seconds that matter most.

How: Confirm the gauge reads in the green, the pin and seal are intact, and the unit isn't past its service date. Keep one accessible in the kitchen.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Inspectors note the presence and condition of extinguishers near kitchens and heating equipment.

Check grading and foundation drainage

Yearly and after heavy rain Β· Exterior Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: Soil that slopes toward the house pushes water into the foundation, causing cracks and basement moisture.

How: Confirm soil slopes away 6 in over 10 ft; fill settled areas; keep mulch below siding.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Negative grading is one of the most-cited structural-adjacent findings in inspections.

Trim trees and vegetation back from the house

Yearly Β· Exterior Β· medium priority
Why & how

Why: Branches abrade the roof and give pests a bridge; vines and shrubs trap moisture against siding and foundation.

How: Cut limbs back several feet from the roof and walls; keep shrubs trimmed off the siding to allow drying.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Overhanging limbs and vegetation against the structure are routine exterior write-ups.

Test GFCI/AFCI outlets and check the panel

Yearly Β· Electrical Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: GFCIs protect against shock near water; failed ones leave you unprotected.

How: Press test/reset on kitchen, bath, garage, and exterior outlets. For panel concerns, call a licensed electrician.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Older panels (certain brands) and missing GFCIs are common safety write-ups β€” never open the panel yourself.

Test the sump pump

Yearly, before wet season Β· Basement Β· high priority
Why & how

Why: A failed sump pump means a flooded basement during the first big storm.

How: Pour a bucket of water into the pit; confirm the pump activates and drains; consider a battery backup.

πŸ”Ž Inspector's note: Inspectors note pump age and lack of backup as risk factors for finished basements.
Aging systems in your home?

Homes 10+ years old face more unexpected repairs. A home warranty can help cover major systems like HVAC and water heaters.

See if a home warranty fits your home
Informational only β€” not insurance advice. We may earn a referral fee.

General guidance only β€” not a substitute for a professional home inspection or licensed repair.