The Seasonal Home Preparation Guide

A home that's prepared for the seasons costs less to run, lasts longer, and feels better to come home to. Here is the seasonal preparation guide our editors actually follow, organized by quarter.

Spring

• Service the HVAC system and replace filters.
• Clean gutters and check downspout drainage away from the foundation.
• Inspect the roof from the ground with binoculars; look for missing or curled shingles.
• Wash exterior windows and screens.
• Power-wash siding, decks, and walkways.
• Plant cool-season annuals and prune any winter-damaged shrubs.

Summer

• Reseal exterior wood (decks, fences, trim) before the hottest months.
• Check the dryer vent for lint buildup — a major fire hazard.
• Inspect window and door weather stripping; replace what's brittle.
• Clean ceiling fan blades and reverse direction (counterclockwise for cooling).
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries.

Fall

• Service the heating system before the first cold snap.
• Clean gutters again after leaves drop.
• Drain and store outdoor hoses; shut off exterior water valves.
• Reverse ceiling fans (clockwise on low to push warm air down).
• Add weatherstripping to drafty doors and windows.
• Inspect chimney and fireplace if you use them.

Winter

• Monitor pipes during cold snaps; let faucets drip in extreme weather.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils — a heating system in disguise.
• Deep clean indoor textiles: rugs, curtains, upholstery.
• Reorganize closets while you're indoors anyway.
• Plan spring projects so you're ready when the weather turns.

The "fifteen-minute monthly walk"

Once a month, walk the perimeter of your home and the basement (or crawl space) with a flashlight. You're looking for water stains, new cracks, soft spots, and anything that wasn't there last month. Most expensive home repairs start as small problems that someone noticed too late.