Inspecting your home and completing regular home improvement projects will keep your maintenance schedule on track and easier to manage. A comprehensive monthly home maintenance checklist is easy to implement, both in terms of time and money.

• Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups, make it easier to regulate your home’s temperature, and ultimately decrease utility bills
• Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary
• Clean faucet aerators and shower-heads to remove mineral deposits
• Inspect tub and sink drains for debris; unclog
• Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and all ground-fault circuit interrupters
• Inspect dryer vent hose and clear accumulated lint to prevent fires and have dryer performing optimally
• Inspect electrical cords for wear
• Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking for deterioration
• Vacuum heat registers and heat vents
• Flush out hot water from the water heater to remove accumulated sediment at least once a year
• Descale your tankless water heater to remove buildup at least once a year
• Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda
• Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers
• Check in kitchen and bathroom cabinets and around toilets for leaks