16 Must-Do Home Maintenance Projects to Start the New Year Right

Vacuuming rugs and washing dishes? Those things are probably part of your daily routine. But what about those little home maintenance tasks that slip through the cracks? The ones we don’t really think about because they aren’t right in front of our faces. These often-overlooked chores are essential for keeping your home running smoothly, and ignoring them could lead to bigger headaches down the line. Ready to take your home care game to the next level? Add these must-dos to your checklist and give your home the TLC it deserves for the new year. Checking these things off your list will make you feel fantastic, responsible and like a good home owner.
Cleaning Air Ducts

Your HVAC system is supposed to deliver fresh air at the temperature you want, but what happens if your ducts are dusty? It’s more likely than you think. To keep your indoor air quality decent, you have to clean your ducts every three to five years. A professional can do this, but you can also give them a quick vacuum and brushing if need be.
Clean Your AC

Sniff sniff, does the air smell a little funky around your air conditioner? You probably forgot to clean your unit. To do this, remove the filter, vacuum it with a powerful vacuum, scrub the “wings” clean, and then clean the filter itself. This helps extend the life of your air conditioner and also ensures that you don’t have mold growing in your unit.
Check Your Water Heater

Hot water is a major component of a livable home, yet we often don’t think about how it gets heated. Over the course of its lifespan, your water heater will accumulate sediment. Too much of it can harm your heater, corrode it, or even make it explode.
Check your water pressure and search for rust. If you think something is awry, it might be time to call a repairman.
Drain Your Water Heater Sediment

Remember when we mentioned that sediment can build up in your water heater? If you leave the sediment to rot in there, you’re going to need a water heater sooner rather than later. Thankfully, you can drain most of the sediment out yourself fairly easily.
This is a once-a-year task, so try to do it around the same time you give your heater a check.
Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are one of those things we all know should be cleaned but often ignore until leaves are overflowing. You really shouldn’t allow that to happen. Gutters are there to help prevent water leaks in your house by directing water flow away from your home. They can’t do their job if they’re clogged with muck!
Dust Your Fridge Coils

Your fridge keeps your food cold, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get hot. Your fridge coils are in the back of the refrigerator and they can gather quite a bit of dust. Too much dust can overheat your refrigerator’s machinery, causing it to break prematurely. A quick annual clean can extend the lifespan of your refrigerator immensely.
Test That Sump!

Your sump pump is not the most glamorous part of your home, but it is one of the most important. This system is all that stands between you and a flood. It redirects water from your basement outside your home. You should test it every year. If it’s not pumping water away, you need to call a professional before your next heavy rainfall.
Check Your Roof

Does your roof look alright? Even if it does, it’s a smart idea to get your roof inspected at least once a year. Roofing can seem sturdy and you might not see leaks, but that doesn’t mean the leaks aren’t there. If you had a rough winter or a particularly nasty storm, call a roofer to inspect your roof for damage.
If you find damage, get it repaired immediately. Otherwise, a couple of loose shingles will be the least of your problems.
Check Your Appliances

Does your oven look like it needs a little cleaning? What about your washing machine? Your dryer? You should give your appliances a quick cleaning at least once a month and a thorough inspection once a year to ensure they’re in working condition. Most repairs will be affordable if you spot them in time.
Clean Or Replace Air Filters

If you have central heating or central air, then you don’t have to worry about cleaning your AC units. You have to worry about cleaning your HVAC filters or replacing them altogether. Most central air units will need to have this done monthly or once every three months, depending on the build. When in doubt, ask an HVAC tech to help guide you on maintenance.
Check Window And Door Seals

Hey, where did that bug come in from? Did you notice some water leaking in from the inside? If these issues sound familiar, you probably put off maintaining your door and window seals. If you notice gaps in your doors or windows, reseal them and check for any damage in the nearby area.
You should aim to check your doors and window seals annually. Speaking of…
Check Your Window Screens

Window screens are your best defense against letting insects fly into your home without requiring you to keep the air conditioning on 24/7. Thankfully, they’re fairly low-maintenance. Once in a while, a loose branch or squirrel can poke a hole in those screens. Checking them occasionally and patching up any holes you see will reduce the number of bugs you deal with.
Test Detectors

When was the last time your smoke or carbon monoxide detector rang? Can you say with confidence that they are still working properly? Testing your detectors is a task that should be done routinely. Most of these tools have a test/hush button you can press for a few seconds to see whether they are still working properly, so this task won’t take too long.
Chimney Maintenance

If Santa Claus is going to pass through it, you need to make sure your chimney is at its very best! Not many people know that chimneys require regular cleaning and maintenance to stay properly ventilated. In this regard, call a professional at least once a year. Remember that you may want to book more than one visit per year if you use your fireplace often, for instance, in the winter.
Check Your Fire Extinguisher

Every home should have a fire extinguisher in case of emergency. In fact, you should have one on every level of your home. But fire extinguishers do expire. The chemicals inside of the extinguisher may dry out, leaving the tool pretty useless. Ensure you check the tag and date on your fire extinguishers every year and replace them as necessary. You don’t want to be in an emergency situation with an expired fire extinguisher.
Clean Your Dryer Vents

Lint can build up very quickly inside your dryer vent which can lead to home fires. While a fire is a worst-case scenario, there are other side effects to having lint backed up in your dryer vents. A clogged vent can reduce your dryer’s efficiency and also lead to longer drying times and increased energy bills. Regularly maintaining your dryer vents helps ensure proper airflow, extending the lifespan of your appliance and ensuring that using the dryer is a safe thing to do!