For homeowners

Your homeowner calendar

A little upkeep through the year keeps small problems from becoming expensive ones. Here's a season-by-season guide for a home in Athens and Northeast Georgia.

Every month

Quick monthly checks

HVAC filterCheck it monthly and change it every 1 to 3 months, more often with pets or during pollen season.
Smoke & CO alarmsPress the test button on each one. Alarms wear out, so check the date on the back too.
Look for leaksPeek under sinks, around toilets and at the water heater for drips or moisture.
Drains & disposalRun hot water and clear slow drains before they clog.

Smoke alarms don't last forever

Smoke alarms have a limited life, typically 10 years, even if they still beep when you test them. Take one down and look for the manufacture date on the back; if it's 10 years old or the date is missing, replace it. Carbon monoxide alarms usually wear out sooner, often in 5 to 7 years. When you replace them, write the install date on the alarm.

March · April · May

Spring

  • Schedule an A/C tune-up before the heat arrives
  • Clean gutters and downspouts after pollen and oak tassels fall
  • Refresh pine straw or mulch, keeping it a few inches away from the foundation and siding
  • Watch for termite swarmers on warm days; call your pest company if you see them
  • Check the roof, flashing and exterior caulk after winter weather
  • Pressure wash siding, decks and walkways (in homes built before 1978, see our lead paint guide first)
  • Service the mower and check outdoor faucets and irrigation

June · July · August

Summer

  • Keep the A/C condensate line clear so it doesn't back up and leak
  • Check the crawlspace for moisture and standing water; run a dehumidifier if needed
  • Dump standing water in pots, toys and gutters to keep mosquitoes down
  • Trim trees and limbs away from the roof before storm season
  • Inspect the deck and railings; reseal wood if water soaks in
  • Clean ceiling fans and set them counterclockwise for cooling

September · October · November

Fall

  • Schedule a furnace or heat pump tune-up
  • Clean gutters again once the leaves are down
  • Have the chimney inspected and swept before the first fire
  • Disconnect and drain hoses before the first freeze
  • Seal drafts around doors and windows; check weatherstripping
  • Watch for your property tax bill and make sure your homestead exemption is on it

December · January · February

Winter

  • On hard-freeze nights, drip faucets on exterior walls and open sink cabinets
  • Insulate exposed pipes in the crawlspace, garage and attic
  • Know where your main water shut-off is in case a pipe bursts
  • Check the attic for leaks, pests and insulation gaps
  • Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise to push warm air down
  • Make your list of spring projects and line up contractors early

Every year & beyond

Bigger items to schedule

  • Every year: flush the water heater; clean the dryer vent all the way to the outside; replace smoke and CO alarm batteries; renew your termite bond inspection; review your homeowners insurance coverage.
  • Every 2 years: retest for radon, even if you have a mitigation system.
  • Every 3 to 5 years: have your septic tank pumped and inspected.
  • Every 10 years: replace smoke alarms (sooner for CO alarms, often 5 to 7 years); check the age of your roof, water heater and HVAC so replacements don't catch you off guard.

Need someone?

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