A simple home maintenance calendar for the whole year

Why a routine beats repairs

Most home repairs start as something small that nobody noticed: a drain that slowed down over months, an aircon filter that clogged, a window catch that loosened. A simple routine catches these early, when they are quick and cheap to deal with, rather than on the day something stops working.

This article sets out a maintenance calendar in plain words, grouped by how often each check is worth doing. It is a starting point, not a rulebook; adjust it to your home, your household and how heavily you use each appliance. Where a topic has its own guide, the article links to it instead of repeating the detail.

Every month

These checks take a few minutes each and make the biggest difference over time.

• Aircon filters: open the front panel of each indoor unit, slide out the filters and rinse them with water. Let them dry fully before putting them back. Dusty filters reduce cooling and can make the unit work harder.
• Floor traps and sink strainers: lift the covers in the bathrooms, kitchen and service yard and clear out hair, lint and food waste.
• Basin and sink drains: run hot water through them and clean the stoppers. Notice whether any drain is getting slower.
• Smoke detector: press the test button, if your home has one, and replace the battery when it warns you.

If a drain is still slow after you clean the strainer and stopper, the choked drain guide explains what to try next and when to call a plumber.

Every few months

Some checks do not need monthly attention but are worth doing a few times a year.

Aircon servicing

How often to book a general aircon service depends on how often the units run. Watch for signs that a unit needs attention sooner, such as water dripping, a musty smell or weaker cooling. The aircon servicing guide explains the main service types, and the guide to how often to service aircon helps you choose an interval.

Water heater

Look at the water heater and the pipes around it for drips, rust or stains. If it trips the power, makes unusual noises or gives no hot water, stop using it and have it checked. The water heater guide covers repair and replacement.

Windows

Check that window catches, stays and hinges are secure and that the windows close properly. Look for loose or missing rivets and screws. BCA's window safety page explains why regular checks on windows matter, especially for casement windows.

Once a year

These are larger checks that suit a quieter weekend.

• DB box labels: open the DB box cover and check the circuit breakers are still clearly labelled. Press the test button on the residual current device if it has one, as described in your home's instructions.
• Sealant and grout: look at the sealant around basins, showers, kitchen tops and windows, and the grout between tiles. Cracked or mouldy sealant lets water through and is worth redoing.
• Water valves: gently turn the main water valve and the isolation valves under basins to make sure they still move.
• Doors and locks: tighten loose handles and hinges and check that locks turn smoothly.

EMA's electrical safety page has general advice on using electricity safely at home. If you notice scorch marks, a burning smell or a breaker that keeps tripping, switch off the power and call a licensed electrician. The power trip guide explains the safe checks you can make first.

For sealant, hinges and other small fixes, you can compare handyman companies on HomezyPro.

Before festive periods and before travel

Festive periods mean guests, cooking and heavier use of the kitchen, bathrooms and aircon. A little preparation helps.

• Clear the kitchen sink strainer and floor traps before heavy cooking.
• Clean the aircon filters, or book a service if one is due, before the units run all day.
• Check that every toilet flushes properly and that the cistern stops filling.

Before you travel, a few simple steps reduce the chance of coming home to a problem.

• Turn off the water heater and unplug appliances you do not need.
• Consider closing the main water valve if no one will be home.
• Clear the floor traps so rain or a small leak can drain away.
• Close and lock all windows.

Keeping a simple record

A maintenance routine is easier to follow when you write things down. Keep a short note on your phone or a sheet inside a kitchen cabinet with the date of each aircon service, any repairs, the model of the water heater and where the DB box and main water valve are.

This record is useful in several ways. It reminds you when the next service is due, it helps a company understand the history of a problem when you call, and it is handy to pass on if you ever sell or rent out the home. Photos of the DB box labels and of appliance model plates are worth adding too.

Questions

How often should I clean aircon filters?

Rinsing the filters once a month is a simple habit that keeps the units cooling well. A professional service every few months covers the parts you cannot reach yourself.

What should I check before going on holiday?

Turn off the water heater, unplug appliances you do not need, consider closing the main water valve, clear the floor traps and lock all windows.

What yearly checks are worth doing?

Check the DB box labels, look at sealant and grout around wet areas, turn the water valves to make sure they move and tighten loose handles and hinges. Call a licensed electrician if you notice any electrical warning signs.