Are you a first-time homeowner? What to know about home maintenance

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2-minute read

• Ranging from simple chores to more major tasks, staying on top of your home maintenance will help prevent any extensive damages to your property that would require pricey repairs.
• Some home maintenance tasks need to be done weekly, while others need to be done every few years. Creating a schedule will help you keep track.

So you officially bought your first home. Now what?

While it may feel like the hardest part is over, your journey through homeownership is just getting started. And now you’ve taken on the responsibility of caring for your home for as long as you own it, regardless of how daunting it may seem.

This is where routine home maintenance comes in. Ranging from simple chores to more major tasks, staying on top of your home maintenance will help prevent any extensive damages to your property that would require pricey repairs.

“Keeping up with home maintenance is important for the long-term health and safety of your home,” said Ray LoVecchio, president of Sherlock Home Inspectors in Franklin Lakes.

If you’re a first-time homeowner and want to ensure that you’re properly taking care of your property, here are some things to consider. As a note: This isn’t a comprehensive list of the maintenance required in your home, as everyone’s needs are different, but just a guide to get you started.

Weekly maintenance tasks

While there aren’t many home maintenance tasks that need to be completed on a weekly basis, that doesn’t mean they’re not important. During this time, maintenance mainly consists of cleaning and basic upkeep of your home.

This includes things like vacuuming, dusting, sanitizing frequently used spaces and other chores to keep your home tidy. LoVecchio said you should also inspect the areas around your sinks, faucets, toilets, tubs and showers for water leaks, as well as check for any unusual noises or issues with your appliances.

And while it’s generally recommended that you do this every six months or so, he said it also doesn’t hurt to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors frequently.

Monthly maintenance tasks

Every month, or every few months, there is a list of tasks that should be completed throughout your home beyond just general cleaning and upkeep.

LoVecchio said this is the time to check the vents in your bathroom and kitchen to ensure that they’re clean and free of debris. You should also check the filter in your HVAC system, which should typically be replaced at least every three months.

Maintenance tasks for every six months

Every six months, LoVecchio said it’s important to clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure water drains properly off of your home. Not doing this could result in water pooling around your home’s foundation, or sitting on your roof, which could cause major structural issues.

With this, he said it’s also important that you inspect your home’s foundation, concrete fixtures and siding for any signs of possible damage. You should also look for any indications of wood-destroying pests around your home, like termites and carpenter bees.

Many HVAC professionals also recommend that you get your HVAC system inspected and serviced twice a year to prolong the health of your system. This time can vary, though, depending on the type or age of your HVAC system.

Other maintenance tasks during this time include cleaning and inspecting your chimney, if you have one, and checking the seals on your doors and windows.

Annual maintenance tasks

In the fall each year, LoVecchio said to turn off the water to your outdoor faucets and sprinkler system, if you have one, and have a professional blow all of the water out of them. By doing this, you’ll prevent any leaks that could cause water to pool around your foundation.

If you have one, he said you should also be inspecting your sump pump annually. This device is used to channel water out of low-lying spaces, like your basement, to reduce the likelihood of flooding. Checking it regularly will ensure it’s ready to go in the event of heavy rains.

Other annual maintenance tasks include getting your roof inspected, cleaning your HVAC condenser, and testing your water shut-off valves. Some tasks only need to be completed every few years, such as cleaning your HVAC ducts and inspecting the anode rod on your water heater.

Tips for keeping up with home maintenance

One of the most important things people can do when it comes to home maintenance is a step that’s taken before the sale is even finalized: getting a home inspection.

Having an inspection done on a property you plan on buying, LoVecchio said, ensures that you have all of the information about what you’d be getting yourself into. This includes understanding the home’s systems, knowing where all of the emergency shut-off switches are and learning what potential issues need to be addressed first.

“We’re hearing a lot where people want to waive their home inspection, which, to me, is absolute suicide. It’s pennies on a home inspection compared to what it could cost you for potential repairs and replacements,” he said. “And once we issue the report for a prospective home buyer, we come up with a punch list that is a summary of things that need to be addressed and that they can follow accordingly.”

LoVecchio also recommends getting a maintenance contract with the companies that were used by the previous homeowner for at least the first year. This way, he said, you’ll work with professionals who are familiar with the home and its maintenance needs as you get acclimated with the property.

You can also create a home maintenance schedule to help keep yourself on track with all of the tasks. LoVecchio said you can organize this schedule by season, but you can also organize it by time — weekly, monthly and annual tasks, for example — or by category.

There are platforms available, like Home Maint List, where you can make a customized digital list of your home maintenance tasks based on your needs. Or you can consult premade checklists on sites like Fannie Mae, the National Center for Healthy Housing and the AHIT. Keep in mind, though, that these premade lists may not cover all of your home’s individualized needs.

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.