This month10
October
Seal up for winter: outdoor water, alarms and the fireplace.
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets
- Test smoke and CO alarms
- Clean gutters after leaves fall
All October jobs Next: November
Month-by-month home maintenance
Rule your house, one month at a time.
Small jobs at the right time keep the big bills away. Each month we tell you what to check inside and outside, with notes for cold-winter and warm-climate homes, so maintenance takes an hour, not a weekend.
The year, month by month
See the whole year on one page- JanTest smoke and CO alarms
- FebClean range hood and dishwasher filters
- MarWalk the outside of the house
- AprService the AC
- MayClean and check windows
- JunChange the AC filter
- JulCheck the AC condensate drain
- AugBook the furnace tune-up
- SepService the heating system
- OctShut off and drain outdoor faucets
- NovCheck emergency supplies
- DecHoliday lights and cord safety
- Heating and cooling: a year of careFilters, tune-ups and the small habits that help furnaces, heat pumps and AC last longer.
- Water heater careFlushing, temperature settings and the signs a tank is near the end.
- Roof and guttersWhat to check from the ground twice a year, and when to call a roofer.
- Plumbing: small checks that prevent big leaksSupply lines, shutoffs, drains and leak detection.
- Deck, siding and exterior woodCleaning, sealing and the safety checks decks need every year.
- Safety systems: alarms, extinguishers and GFCIsThe ten-minute monthly and yearly checks that protect people.
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The 12-Month Maintenance Calendar
Every month's jobs on printable pages, with a column for cold-winter and warm-climate homes, a filter and battery log, and a page to record your home's systems.
The month's jobs, in your inbox
The Monthly Rounds arrives at the start of each month with the jobs worth doing now, notes for your climate and one system explained. Confirm by email, unsubscribe with one click, and we never share your address.