08/26/2026
A little preventive maintenance every year can save homeowners thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. Here are 20 things worth checking around your home annually:
Inspect your roof — Look for missing, cracked, curled, or damaged shingles and signs of flashing problems.
Clean your gutters and downspouts — Remove leaves and debris so rainwater can drain away instead of backing up under the roof or overflowing near the foundation.
Check downspout drainage — Make sure downspouts discharge water well away from the foundation and aren't dumping water next to the house.
Inspect your foundation — Look for new cracks, water intrusion, deterioration, or areas where the soil has settled.
Check the grading around your home — The ground should generally slope away from the foundation so rainwater doesn't collect against the house.
Inspect exterior caulking — Check around windows, doors, siding penetrations, vents, and other openings for cracked or missing caulk.
Check windows and doors for leaks — Look for water stains, damaged seals, rotted wood, drafts, or deteriorated weatherstripping.
Inspect siding and exterior trim — Look for loose siding, cracks, rot, peeling paint, insect damage, or openings that can allow water inside.
Inspect your attic — Look for roof leaks, water stains, mold, damaged insulation, pests, and condensation.
Check attic ventilation — Make sure soffit, ridge, and other attic vents aren't blocked by insulation, debris, or nests.
Have your furnace professionally cleaned and inspected — Annual maintenance can identify safety problems and small mechanical issues before they become expensive breakdowns.
Have your air conditioner professionally cleaned and inspected — A dirty or neglected AC system can operate inefficiently and experience premature component failure.
Replace your HVAC filter regularly — Don't wait for the annual inspection. Check it throughout the year and replace it when needed to maintain proper airflow.
Inspect your water heater — Look for corrosion, leaks, moisture around the base, and problems with piping or connections.
Check plumbing fixtures and exposed piping — Inspect under sinks, around toilets, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other water connections for slow leaks.
Test your sump pump — Pour water into the pit and verify the pump turns on, removes the water, and discharges it properly. If you have a battery backup, test that too.
Inspect your basement or crawlspace — Look for moisture, musty odors, mold, cracks, standing water, pests, or signs of previous water intrusion.
Clean your dryer vent — Lint buildup reduces dryer performance and can create a serious fire hazard. Don't just clean the lint screen—inspect and clean the vent line too.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — Test every detector and replace batteries as necessary. Replace detectors themselves according to the manufacturer's recommended service life.
Inspect decks, porches, stairs, and railings — Look for loose boards, rot, deteriorated fasteners, unstable railings, and structural movement before they become safety hazards.
The Annual Homeowner Rule
Water is one of your home's biggest enemies. Catching a small roof leak, dripping pipe, clogged gutter, foundation drainage problem, or HVAC condensation issue early can mean the difference between a minor repair and thousands of dollars in damage.
Spending a few hours each year inspecting your home—and having major mechanical systems professionally maintained—is one of the least expensive ways to protect one of your largest investments.
