If your garage door won't close, check the safety sensors, sensor lights, obstructions, tracks, opener lights, and when to call a pro.
If gutters overflow during rain, check for debris, downspout clogs, sagging, bad pitch, undersized gutters, and water dumping near the foundation.
Most homes should clean gutters once or twice a year. Learn when to clean them, signs they are clogged, and when to call for help.
Lubricate garage door moving parts about twice a year if the manufacturer recommends it, and test safety sensors monthly.
How to clean window weep holes, test drainage, and avoid trapping water in the frame.
Check downspout extensions, splash blocks, and drainage after rain so roof water moves away from the foundation.
A practical homeowner deck inspection checklist for loose rails, soft boards, fasteners, stairs, and when to call a pro.
How often to check mower blades, why sharp blades matter, and the safety step before working near a blade.
Have a roof professional inspect every 2 years for newer roofs and yearly for roofs older than 10 years. Walk the ground-level perimeter twice a year to spot obvious damage. After any major storm, schedule an inspection regardless of the calendar.
Working attic ventilation cools the attic in summer and removes moisture in winter. Check twice a year by looking at intake vents and exhaust vents for blockage, and by walking the attic to spot stains, frost, or mold.
Sealing creates a clear water-resistant barrier. Staining adds pigment that protects against UV damage. Clear sealer needs reapplication every 1 to 2 years. Stain lasts 2 to 5 years depending on opacity.
Seal an asphalt driveway every 2 to 3 years in most climates, every 2 years in freeze-thaw or high-traffic, and every 3 to 5 years in mild conditions. Don't seal a brand-new driveway for the first 30 days to 6 months.
Inspect roof flashing twice a year (spring and fall) from the ground with binoculars and from inside the attic with a flashlight. Failed flashing is the leading cause of roof leaks.
Walk the attic with a flashlight and a ruler once a year. Measure insulation depth at multiple points. Per DOE, target R-30 to R-49 in southern climates, R-49 to R-60 in northern. If you can see floor joists above the insulation, you don't have enough.
Inspect the crawl space vapor barrier once a year. Look for tears, gaps at seams, exposed dirt, standing water, mold, and rodent damage. A failed barrier lets soil moisture into the home and feeds wood rot and mold in the framing above.
Crawl space humidity should stay below 60% per EPA mold-prevention guidance. Use a wireless hygrometer to monitor without crawling. Above 70% needs immediate action — find the moisture source and fix it before adding a dehumidifier.
Hairline cracks under 1/16 inch are usually normal settlement. Cracks 1/8 to 1/4 inch deserve monitoring. Cracks wider than 1/4 inch, horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks in block walls, or any actively-growing crack need a structural engineer.
Before first freeze, disconnect every garden hose from every outdoor faucet. Drain the hose fully, coil loosely, and store somewhere that stays above freezing. Hoses left attached to faucets through winter are the most common cause of split pipes inside the wall.
Most homes burn from wind-blown embers, not flames. Harden the house: clear gutters and roof debris, cut back vegetation near walls, and screen vents.
An exterior home maintenance checklist that keeps water away from the structure: gutters, roof, caulk, grading, outdoor faucets, and the deck.