Monthly home maintenance checklist
Once a month, take 15 minutes to: check the HVAC filter, test smoke and CO alarms, look under sinks and around the water heater for leaks, run water in unused drains, test GFCI outlets, test the garage door auto-reverse, and check the car tire pressure. Pick one day (the 1st is easy) and do them together.
Monthly home maintenance checklist
Checklist
- Check the HVAC filter; replace it if it looks dirtyMonthly
- Test smoke and CO alarmsMonthly
- Look under sinks and around the water heater and toilets for leaksMonthly
- Run water in unused sinks, tubs and floor drainsMonthly
- Press TEST and RESET on GFCI outlets (kitchen, bath, garage, outside)Monthly
- Test the garage door auto-reverseMonthly
- Clean the dishwasher filter and the range hood filterMonthly
- Check tire pressure, including the spareMonthly
- Check the fire extinguisher gauge is in the greenMonthly
Get reminders for these automatically: upnextmaint.com/get
Why monthly
These are the checks that catch small problems early: a filter clogging, an alarm battery dying, a slow drip under a sink. Each takes a minute or two. Done together on the same day each month, the whole list is about 15 minutes.
For the bigger seasonal jobs (gutters, winterizing, the yearly water heater flush), see the full home maintenance schedule.
What you'll need
- Furnace filters (check your size)Keep spares for the monthly check
- Water leak detectorsCatch leaks between checks
- Digital tire pressure gaugeFor the monthly tire check
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Questions
What should I check in my house every month?
The HVAC filter, smoke and CO alarms, signs of leaks under sinks and around the water heater, GFCI outlets, and the garage door auto-reverse. Add tire pressure if you have a car.
How long does monthly home maintenance take?
About 15 minutes if you do everything on the list together.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR — Heating & Cooling Maintenance Checklist
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Smoke Alarms
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — rules for automatic garage door openers
- NHTSA — Tires: tire safety and maintenance
Related guides
General guidance for typical homes. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions and local codes, and hire a pro for anything you're not comfortable doing.