Walking through someone’s home for the first time really gives you a sense of who they are. Different colors on the walls, special amenities, the bathroom, bedrooms and kitchen – they all say something about its owners. It is the one place where a person can find safety, security, relaxation and companionship; so why are so many allowing their home to slowly fall apart around them?

That’s not to say that your house will cave in at any moment; but a home is not only a home – it’s an investment. And all investments require maintenance in order to keep it at market price or better.

Think about it in this context – if your house was a car, it would need regular oil changes every 3,000-7,000 miles, tune ups, brake replacements, tires and other failing equipment when the old ones wear out and a good cleaning every once in a while. Keeping with the scheduled maintenance allows your car to run even longer than imagined. You can say the same thing about your home. Disregard maintenance, and you may be paying a large price on new appliances, roofs or other big ticket items.

Another to look at it would be treating your home like a friend. Friends provide you assurance, companionship, honesty and fun times; but you have to nurture the friendship. We do this by investing time in our special relationships, which, in turn, maintains the friendship. And just like a friend, your house needs a little time from you too.

Maintain your house relationship – make a plan.

Before jumping off the deep end of home maintenance, it is always best to have a plan. It keeps you focused on what needs to be done next, and also breaks up the work so you don’t have to do everything at once.

Not everybody’s plan will be exactly same – we have to adapt our home maintenance plan to our family’s lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be rigid or complex; just as long as you get things done.

The best way to make your home maintenance plan is to follow these steps:

• Walk through every room in your home. Make note of all the appliances, furniture, linens, window treatments and lighting for each room and write it down.

• Visit the attic and do the same. Also make note of any ventilation, a/c unit duct work and wires.

• Take a walk around the house. Write down the number of doors and windows that lead to the outside. Look at your house’s exterior, are there cracks, crevices or environmental overgrowth? Write it down.

• Look at your yard. Are there weeds, holes or bare patches in your yard? Make a note on your paper.

• Walk your property line. Are there areas of the fence that need repairing or repainted? Write it down.

• Now, move down the driveway and see if any concrete repair is needed, or stubborn weed overgrowth. Make a note of it.

Once you have this important information, you are ready to divvy up the work and make a maintenance schedule.

The maintenance schedule – easier said than done.

At this point, homeowners can become overwhelmed by all the “maintenance” they see needs to be done; and they can become disappointed in themselves for not doing it before now. Don’t let it get you down; instead, do something about it!

Here is a helpful list that you can use to begin your home maintenance schedule. Be sure to cross off any item on the list that doesn’t apply to you.

January, February, March

• Tackle painting or painting touch up jobs

• Re-insulate exposed water pipes

• Take down or repair wallpaper

• Vacuum external refrigerator parts, including coils

• Check plumbing for leaks

• Re-caulk areas around bathtubs and showers

• Check your attic and/basement for safety issues – bad wiring, trash and flammable liquids near the furnace or hot water heater - remove safety hazards

• Give your dishwasher a deep cleaning – run gallon vinegar through a wash cycle

• Screw off the small filter on your kitchen’s faucet and soak in vinegar to remove build up

• Treat your septic system – have your septic tank pumped every 2-3 years - if you are unsure, ask a professional

• Service your lawnmower and yard equipment

• Clean out sheds and other outdoor buildings – get rid of any hazardous materials

• Perform safety updates on your computer – clean out old documents and back all the information stored on your computer

• Wash any window treatments – blinds, curtins and drapes

• Wash all bedspreads, linens and pillow coverings

April, May, June

• Check out your roof. - note any leaks and repair with the appropriate roof covering

• Do a thorough cleaning of your outdoor area- scrub down the patio or deck and clean any outdoor furniture

• Clear all debris from gutters around the house

• Do a bug check, and call an exterminator if needed

• Clean out your chimney or hire a chimney sweep

• Store winter clothes in containers that are moth, bug and rodent proof

• Check all electrical circuits to make sure they are grounded and the wires aren’t faulty

• Do annual maintenance on your a/c unit (see owner’s manual) – or call a professional to do it for you

• Make any fence repairs or paint touch ups

• Repair any cracks, holes or crevices that aren’t supposed to be a part of your home’s exterior ventilation

• Make sure your foundation is clear of firewood, ant hills and weeds

• Drain your hot water heater and provide any other maintenance required (see owner’s manual)

• Perform safety updates on your computer – clean out old documents and back up all the information stored on our computer

• Scrub all windows both inside and out for the summer

• Wash all bedspreads, linens and pillow coverings

July, August, September

• Clean your carpets, or hire a professional

• Re-seal all windows, doors and columns with caulk or weather stripping

• Remove grease stains in the driveway or garage –clean with a degreasing agent or paint thinner and then soak it up with kitty litter

• Give your house, deck, patio and driveway a good washing – either rent or purchase a pressure washer or use the old scrub brush and soapy water method if your house cannot withstand the pressure

• Trim tree branches that have grown over your roof

• Conduct washer/dryer maintenance – clean the dryer exhaust vent for any lint build up, and check for kinks in the vent hose – repair if needed; replace washing machine hoses. Make sure the washer and dryer are sitting level

• Wash all bedspreads, linens and pillow coverings

• Clean and organize your garage

• Perform safety updates on your computer – clean out old documents and back up all information stored on your computer

• Fix any erosion issues in your yard or hire someone to do it for you

October, November, December

• Rake the leaves in your yard

• Have your furnace serviced

• Drain and store outdoor hoses

• Wash all bedspreads, linens and pillow coverings

• Clean the exterior of your computer equipment - turn off the computer and other devices and vacuum vents and around the area where it is stored

• Tighten ceiling fan screws and make sure they are balanced

• Dust and clean all framed artwork

• Do a quick floorboard check - re-caulk any holes or cracks that have developed

• Clean all televisions in the home – make sure the vents are free from dust and debris. Check electrical cords on all appliances for safety – repair with electrical tape when needed

• Replace carbon monoxide and fire alarm batteries – replace alarms if old or no longer working

• Store summer clothes, take out winter clothes

• Perform safety updates on your computer – clean out old documents and back up all the information stored on your computer

• Conduct tool maintenance – oil all axes, hatchets and other related tools, clean others for debris and rust

This list is a comprehensive home maintenance strategy. Again, cross off any maintenance that does not apply to you, and add any other items inside or outside your home that you need to conduct maintenance on.

Remember, this isn’t just your list – it is your entire family’s list. Conduct a family meeting and discuss all the maintenance that needs to be completed every three months and assign owners based on age appropriateness and skills. Hang the list up or add it to your monthly calendar and periodically check off the maintenance that has been accomplished.

More home maintenance strategies – keep on top of it.

We are ever evolving people, and so are our homes. The longer we live somewhere, the more stuff we acquire, and the more things that need maintenance.

Each time you purchase a new appliance or item that will be used or stored in your home, read through the manual and on your home maintenance list, write down what maintenance will be required. This way you will have your compiled maintenance list in front of you rather than having to remake the list each year. Record this information for home additions like new rooms, pools, patios, decks and so on as well.

And one more thing to ponder – you already have so much to do with the things that are in and around your home, so do you really need to keep adding more? Consider these questions when purchasing any new items for your home:

• Where will I keep it?

• Will I use it?

• Is it practical?

• Why do I really want it?

• What can I do with it?

• Is it multi-functional?

• Will it just sit there, never to be used?

Once you honestly answer these questions, then you are ready to make up your mind about the purchase.

Your home, your friend.

Now that you are armed and motivated with your list of home maintenance, keep it going year after year. These maintenance strategies aren’t just things to keep you busy – we have enough things in our lives to do that – but, they actually give your home a longer life. Remember – your home is only as good to you as you are to your home. Love it, and it will love you back.