Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklists: Your Year-Round Guide

Home is where the heart is, and it’s also (likely) where the majority of your money is invested. Keeping it in top shape is important, and requires a steady stream of attention. Regardless of the quality of materials, everything degrades over time. With unexpected weather thrown into the picture, you just never know how long something is going to last. This is what makes seasonal home maintenance so important. 

Shepherd’s Hardware has been helping Armstrong families maintain their homes for over 100 years, and we want to pass some of that experience along to you today.

Here’s our year-round guide to seasonal home maintenance.

Spring Maintenance Essentials

After what can often be a grueling and unpredictable winter, the Spring season is a time to inspect, repair, and prepare your home for the months ahead.

Exterior Inspection

Be sure to check the following for damage:

  • Roof
  • Gutters
  • Siding
  • Foundation

Cracks, lost shingles, blocked downspouts and more love to show up when all the snow has finally gone. Fix them quickly to avoid water damage during spring showers. 

HVAC System Preparation

Spring is the perfect time to book in the following:

  • Overall system check
  • Air filter replacement
  • Ductwork inspection

Seasonal changes can be a hard transition on your home’s HVAC system, but doing these steps can help make it smoother!

Plumbing & Water Systems

Check for leaks, turn outdoor faucets back on, and prepare your irrigation system for spring planting. 

Lawn & Garden Prep

Service your machines (mowers/trimmers), prepare soil for planting, and plan out your garden schedule for optimal aesthetic and growth.

Shepherd’s Spring Supplies

Our pressure washers, lawn care equipment, garden tools, gutter cleaning tools and more are here and ready to buy to help get your yard fresh and ready for summer!

Summer Maintenance Priorities

During Armstrong’s toasty summers, the focus should be on maximizing outdoor living and keeping your home both cool and efficient.

Cooling System Optimization

To make sure you stay cool in the summer heat, you’ll want to do the following:

  • Clean/replace AC filters
  • Check refrigerant levels
  • Clear any vents of obstruction

Outdoor Living Spaces

Seasonal home maintenance includes your outdoors, too! Making sure your decks, patios, and outdoor furniture are in good shape is an important summer maintenance step that you don’t want to skip! Clean grills, outdoor kitchens, and re-seal any wood surfaces, if necessary!

Pest Prevention

They’re called pests for a reason—they’re annoying! Ants, wasps, and rodents need to be properly addressed. Seal up entry points before nests and infestations have a chance to flourish!

Irrigation & Watering

Sprinkler systems need to be calibrated to avoid overwatering, while at the same time maintaining a lush lawn. If you’ve had any inconsistencies in the past, your irrigation situation just might be the problem!

Shepherd’s Summer Solutions

We have all your summer essentials in stock—pest control products, irrigation supplies, patio care kits, and cooling accessories to keep you comfortable.

Fall Preparation Checklist

Fall is that magical time of the year that is all too short in our part of the world, and unfortunately we spend half of it preparing for winter! Here’s how to optimize your seasonal home maintenance during the autumn.

Heating System Readiness

The last thing you want is your furnace going out during a deep freeze. Make sure it gets inspected, the filters get replaced, and the ductwork gets clean to ensure efficient heating all season long.

Winterization Tasks

Winterize that beautiful home to protect it from mishaps and unexpected cold snaps!

  • Shut down/drain outdoor water lines
  • Inspect weather stripping
  • Assess insulation

Exterior Protection

Fall is that other time in the year where you’ll want to get on the roof for inspection and gutter cleanings. Address any cracks or gaps that might allow water or cold air inside, because it’ll be much harder to repair in the snow and -30 temperatures!

Lawn & Garden Winterization

Clean up those leaves, stow away the tools, and make sure any sensitive plants are prepared and protected from the oncoming frost.

Shepherd’s Fall Essentials

Shepherd’s Hardware has all your winter gear: heating supplies, weather stripping, insulation, and snow removal tools. Stay ahead of the cold—come on into our store!

Winter Maintenance Focus

As we hunker down for winter, the goals are safety, efficiency, and warmth. Here’s how we suggest tackling all three!

Heating System Monitoring

Furnace filters need to be checked and changed regularly for consistent comfort throughout the home. Don’t overlook this simple seasonal home maintenance task!

Ice & Snow Management

Use safe snow removal techniques to protect roofs and walkways. Ice melt, snow shovels, blowers…it’s good to have it all on hand to ease the burden of winter.

Indoor Air Quality

Proper humidity and ventilation will help prevent dryness and reduce allergens, too.

Emergency Preparedness

Winter is the time for power outages—keep yourself prepared with backup heat sources, batteries, and a stock of non-perishable supplies just in case!

Shepherd’s Winter Support

We have space heaters, snow supplies, ice melt, and emergency kits all waiting for you in-store! Not sure what to buy? Our seasonal home maintenance experts will be happy to help!

Monthly Quick-Check Calendar

If you’re looking for a super quick reference guide, here are the major ticket items you want to address in the given time periods:

  • January–March: Monitor heating, prevent ice dams, maintain indoor air quality.
  • April–June: Spring clean, prepare gardens, and ready cooling systems.
  • July–September: Maintain outdoor areas, optimize irrigation, and control pests.
  • October–December: Winterize, check heating systems, and prepare emergency kits.

Professional vs. DIY Guidelines

Our team here at Shepherd’s Hardware is all about getting the job done on your own, but there’s some cases where it’s better to call in the professionals…

Safety Considerations

Electrical work, roofing repairs, HVAC maintenance…these should all be looked after by licensed professionals in their respective trades.

Tools & Equipment

There are several seasonal tasks that require specialty tools and equipment. Instead of doing a subpar job with what you have, consider renting or buying the right tool for the job!

Our Expert Support

We can help you find exactly what you need, whether that’s arranging a rental or connecting you with a local contractor! 

Regular seasonal home maintenance is the smartest way to protect your biggest investment! avoid costly repairs, and keep your home safe and comfortable year-round. Stop in to Shepherd’s Hardware today, Armstrong’s most trusted hardware store!

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