January
– Make a list of projects you plan to complete during the year. Include small but important chores so you won’t overlook them, and big projects so you can budget ahead.
– Check toilets for leaks. Add a drop or two of food coloring to water tanks at bedtime; if the water in the bowl is colored in the morning, replace the flapper ball.
– Post important emergency info: Location of main gas valve, for instance, or contact numbers for heating and cooling service.
– If you’re planning a bath or kitchen remodeling project, visit the National Kitchen and Bath Association at www.nkba.org.
February
– Organize garage or shed; clean, sharpen and lubricate yard tools.
– Properly dispose of old paint. Add waste paint hardener, available at hardware stores and home centers, to partial cans of latex paint. Cat litter works, too.
– Clean lint from dryer exhaust ducts and vents.
– Early spring is a good time for interior painting. Visit www.glidden.com, www. benjaminmoore.com, www.sherwinwilliams. com, www.behr.com, www.dutchboy.com, www.pittsburghpaints.com.
March
– Repair window screens and check screening on porches before bug season arrives. Save old screening for future patches.
– Build or repair fences and arbors, so they’ll be ready for planting season.
– Repair deck boards as needed; remove protruding nails and replace with coated or galvanized screws. Be sure to check and tighten bolts in deck supports.
– Clean and seal wood deck as necessary. Deck stains with at least some pigment last longer than clear sealers; information: www. cabotstain.com, www.flood.com, www. olympic.com.
April
– Reverse ceiling fans–they should have been blowing upward during the winter– and clean tops of fan blades.
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– Check to be sure winter wind hasn’t lifted vinyl and aluminum siding, and repair as needed.
– Wash black streaks from roof. Use prepared cleaner (www.shingleshield.com), or mix your own: Combine one part chlorine bleach with three parts water and a handful of trisodium phosphate. Apply to small section of roof with garden sprayer, let soak 20 minutes, rinse with hose.
– Wash siding and gutters with similar solution. You’ll have fewer streaks if you start at the bottom. Always be careful with ladders around power lines!
– Scrape and touch up exterior paint, paying special attention to window sills, gable vents, garage doors.
May
– Complete larger exterior painting jobs. Follow the shade — don’t paint in direct sun — and quit before dusk so the paint can dry before dew forms. Cheap paint isn’t a bargain. For most exterior jobs, look for 100 percent acrylic, and buy at least the “better” quality.
– Clean gas grill and replace any rusted or damaged parts.
– Check crawl space for moisture and remove debris. If you spot signs of termites, call a pro.
– Clean concrete drives, walkways and patios, and repair as needed. Information: www. bonsal.com, www.quikrete.com.
June
– Vacuum coils behind refrigerators and freezers to ensure proper operation. (Don’t forget appliances in basement or garage.)
– Check supply hoses to washing machines. If hoses are soft or cracked, replace them. (They seem to break when you’re away on vacation.)
– Remove toe panel from front of dishwasher and check for leaks under the appliance.
– Test GFCI circuit breakers, especially those that supply power to freezers in garages. A monthly do-it-yourself guide to keep your home running smoothly
July
– Be sure air conditioner condensation drip tubes are flowing freely. If they’re clogged, clear with wet/dry vacuum. To prevent mold in pipes, add a little chlorine bleach.
– Trim shrubs away from heat pump compressor, and trim those blocking crawl space ventilation.
– Cut back tree limbs that are touching roof. Be careful around power lines!
– Flush water heater as needed. Be sure to turn off power to water heater before draining, and refill before restoring power.
– Open and close cutoff valves to sinks and toilets. You don’t want to discover during a plumbing emergency that valves are stuck.
August
– Call heating service to schedule fall heating system checkup; call propane company to fill tanks.
– If you smell a musty odor during peak air conditioning season, check ducts for leaks. Repair leaks with mastic — not duct tape.
– Add programmable thermostat if you don’t have one. Information: www.energy star.gov.
– Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Information: www.gelighting.com, www.sylvania.com.
– Check operation of door and window locks, and replace as needed before you go on vacation.
September
– Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and replace batteries. Information: www.kidde.com and www.firstalert.com.
– Caulk around windows and doors. If you’re going to paint, choose a caulk that’s paintable. Pay special attention to places where dissimilar materials such as brick and wood meet. Information: www.dap.com.
– Be sure weep holes in storm windows are open to allow water to escape.
– Add weather-stripping around pull-down stairs and attic access holes; insulate backs of panels.
– Vacuum gas logs, and be sure they’re properly seated before operating.
October
– Add new sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors as needed to block cold air. Use a candle to determine whether drafts are getting through gaps around doors and windows.
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– Reverse those ceiling fans again. They should blow upward in winter, to push warm air across ceiling and down walls.
– Clean gutters. Use hose to be sure downspouts are flowing freely; they can get clogged at bends.
– Install gutter covers to cut work next year.
– If your water heater is warm to touch, and in an unheated garage or utility room, wrap it with insulating blanket.
November
– Check roof from ground with binoculars. Replace or repair any curled or missing shingles. (If you find some that match, buy a few extra for next time.) Information: www.certainteed.com, www.gaf.com, www.owenscorning.com.
– Be sure well cover is tightly seated to prevent pipes from freezing.
– Seal holes in foundation, especially spots around pipes and wires where rodents might enter.
– If you’re considering a home generator for emergency power, visit www.briggs powerproducts.com, or www.coleman powermate.com.
December
– Create a fire escape plan for family and practice it. Be sure fire extinguishers are properly filled. Information: www.usfa.fema.gov.
– Get rid of old medicines, and make sure household chemicals are out of reach of children. Post poison hotline number near phone. The national hotline is 800-222-1222, which connects callers to local centers.
– Make sure everyone knows location of main water shutoff, and that you keep access clear. Show neighbor where to find shutoff, too.
– Clean grit and mineral buildup from showerheads and faucet aerators.