Run monthly and seasonal inspections
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The idea in everyday life
Find small water, ventilation, safety, exterior, and equipment issues before they become expensive emergencies.
Check the home regularly. Write down changes, decide how urgent they are, take the safe next step, and check the result.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Create monthly checks for leaks, stains, unusual sounds or smells, alarms, drains, filters, pests, and appliance hoses.
- 2
Add climate-appropriate seasonal checks for drainage, gutters, roof viewed safely from ground, exterior gaps, weather sealing, heating or cooling, and freeze or storm preparation.
- 3
Photograph the same locations and record date, condition, reading, change, severity, and next action.
- 4
Classify issues as monitor, routine task, urgent professional, or immediate emergency using consequence and rate of change.
See how it works.
Rae spots a growing cabinet stain during the monthly check, contains the leak, closes the fixture valve, and submits photos before the floor is damaged.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a 12-month maintenance calendar and first baseline inspection with photos, priorities, owners, and due dates.
- Check this common mistake: Using a generic checklist without adapting for climate, building type, lease, equipment, age, and manufacturer intervals.
- Every observed issue has a dated baseline, priority, owner, and next inspection or repair point.
What to finish
A 12-month maintenance calendar and first baseline inspection with photos, priorities, owners, and due dates.
Watch for this
Using a generic checklist without adapting for climate, building type, lease, equipment, age, and manufacturer intervals.
How can I tell I understand it?
Every observed issue has a dated baseline, priority, owner, and next inspection or repair point.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Simple Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners
From This Old House. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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