11 Home Maintenance Tasks That Could Save You Thousands

A home is the biggest purchase most of us will ever make, so protecting that investment is important. But it takes more than just changing an air filter a few times a year. When expensive home repairs pop up, it’s usually not due to some disaster that happened overnight. It starts with small problems that go unnoticed or unattended to for months or years until they become major issues.

The good news is that some expensive repairs can be mitigated or even prevented through regular home maintenance. Small tasks like changing your HVAC filter on a specific schedule or checking for leaks can help extend the life of your home’s main systems. Staying on top of this maintenance could potentially save you thousands of dollars over time.

1. Change Your HVAC Filter Regularly

If you’re anything like the average homeowner, your HVAC system works pretty hard all year, whether it’s keeping you cool through steamy summers or warming your home through icy Januarys. One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep it running smoothly is changing the air filter periodically. A dirty filter makes your HVAC work harder, placing extra strain on certain parts of the system. Not only can this wear out your system, but it can also increase your energy bill. Replacing a filter is cheap and takes only a few minutes, so there’s really no reason not to do it. There is no one exact schedule for this task, as it depends on several factors. Filter thickness, pets, allergies, usage, and manufacturer instructions can all change the schedule.

• Schedule: Generally every 1–3 months; check manufacturer recommendations
• Time commitment: About five minutes

2. Flush Your Water Heater Once a Year

Over time, sediment can accumulate in your water heater tank. That buildup can weaken the system and cause it to wear out sooner than it should. Flushing your water heater helps get rid of some of that gunk, which means the tank will work more efficiently. Replacing your water heater can cost over $1,000 once installation is included. This simple maintenance task could help you delay having to invest in a new water heater. This isn’t the most basic home maintenance job, so follow the manufacturer’s directions or hire a plumber if you’re uncomfortable doing it.

• Schedule: Once a year
• Time commitment: About 30–60 minutes

3. Clean Your Dryer Vent

Most of us know to clean the lint screen after every load, but the dryer vent is another matter entirely. The vent is the duct that carries hot air from your dryer to the outside of your house, and lint can slowly accumulate inside it. A clogged dryer vent does multiple adverse things at once: forces your dryer to work harder, makes your clothes take longer to dry, and creates a potentially serious fire hazard. Cleaning your dryer vent helps your dryer run better, lowers energy use, and keeps your home fire safe.

• Schedule: About once a year
• Time commitment: About 30–60 minutes

4. Clean Your Gutters

We know this isn’t the most glamorous job in home maintenance; nevertheless, it’s truly necessary. Gutters are meant to move water away from your house, but they can’t do this when they’re clogged. Depending on where you live, they can easily fill with leaves and other debris. When they back up, they can damage your roof, siding, or foundation. In some situations, they can even cause leaks inside your home. Cleaning them seasonally helps keep water flowing through them smoothly, so it is diverted away from the house instead of causing problems or rot.

• Schedule: About twice a year (more often if lots of trees near the house)
• Time commitment: About 1–2 hours, depending on the home

5. Check Your Caulking

The purpose of caulk is to provide a water barrier so places that should stay dry do not get wet. Caulking is generally found around windows, doors, tubs, and showers. Over time, caulk naturally cracks or separates, which means moisture can seep in. If water gets behind walls, it can lead to expensive water damage. Regular caulking checks in certain places might happen naturally, like during your daily shower. However, certain spots are likely more hidden. Take a peek a couple of time a year and repair damaged areas. It’s a super cheap way to ward off bigger problems.

• Schedule: Twice a year
• Time commitment: 10 minutes to inspect; longer for repairs

6. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Most of us don’t think much about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They can be one of those set-and-forget items; but when you need them, you really need them. They are some of the most important safety devices you’ll ever have in your house. Testing them periodically and replacing batteries when needed gives you peace of mind that they will work if (fingers crossed) you ever end up needing them. It takes just a few minutes and can be truly lifesaving, so add this one to the top of your list.

• Schedule: Both CPSC and NFPA recommend monthly testing of smoke/CO alarms
• Time commitment: About 5 minutes

7. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up

Even if your AC and heating have been working well, yearly inspections are a good choice. They can catch small issues before they turn into big (re: expensive) issues. Bringing in a professional to look at your system can lead to improved efficiency and an extension of the life of your HVAC. Most importantly, it can help prevent sudden breakdowns during the hottest or coldest parts of the year. It’s best to schedule these professional checks just before the hottest months of the year, or just before temperatures plummet, depending on the climate where you live. No one wants to be sweltering in their homes come August, so stay on top of this one.

• Schedule: Once or twice a year
• Time commitment: 5 minutes to schedule; 1–2 hours for the appointment

8. Trim Trees Around Your Home

Trees add beauty, shade, value, and natural warmth to a property. And while low-hanging limbs sweeping around a house can look pretty, branches that grow too close to your roof can become problematic. Regular trimming helps keep limbs from falling on your roof or porch, foliage from clogging your gutters, and moisture collecting on your house from branches rubbing against your home. This one will depend on the number of trees on your property as well as their placement, but it’s a small price to pay for enjoying these gorgeous plants all year long. Note that large limbs, branches near power lines, and high tree work should be handled by professionals.

• Schedule: Once a year or as needed
• Time commitment: Dependent on property

9. Replace Washing Machine Hoses

Washing machine hoses are maybe one of the most overlooked, easy-to-change aspects of home maintenance. We only remember them when they fail, the results of which can be awful. The hot and cold water hoses are connected to your home’s water supply, so damage can mean water all over your floor. Replacing hoses only needs to happen every 5 years or so and is cheap compared to potential flood damage from a hose bursting.

• Schedule: Once every 5 years
• Time commitment: About 15–30 minutes

10. Replace Your Water Heater Anode Rod

Replacing your anode rod is important because ……wait, what the heck is an anode rod? It turns out, it’s a pretty major component of your water heater. The unfamiliar mechanism, which extends down inside the water-heater tank, is designed to corrode so the tank itself doesn’t. It’s generally inserted through an opening at the top. Changing it out every few years can keep your water heater going strong and delay the need for a full replacement.

• Schedule: Inspect every 2–3 years; replace when needed according to the manufacturer
• Time commitment: About 30–60 minutes

11. Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

Your refrigerator is one of the only appliances that works constantly, even when you’re not directly using it. And anyone who has ever cleaned behind their fridge knows those coils can collect quite a bit of dust. This isn’t just unsanitary; it actually makes your fridge work harder to stay cold. Cleaning the coils every six months can limit stress placed on the compressor, which is one of the most expensive parts of your refrigerator. Note that not every modern refrigerator has accessible condenser coils.

• Schedule: Every 6–12 months
• Time commitment: About 15–30 minutes

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