Top 10 Home Maintenance Tips


A stitch in time saves nine or as Ben Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nowhere are these axioms more true than when it comes to home maintenance.  As we often say here at USAExterior.com, your home is likely your largest investment but we often don’t treat it as such.  This week we list for you our top 10 home maintenance tips. 


  1. Replace air conditioner/furnace filters quarterly or as recommended by the manufacturer.  This increases efficiency and saves energy costs!

  2. Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator at least once a year.  This is one of the most neglected maintenance items but also one of the most important as it will save energy and extend the life of your appliance.

  3. Test and lubricate your garage door monthly.  Make sure that it reverses properly with when obstructed and lubricate the chain with a standard chain lube. 

  4. Flush your water heater annually. This will clear out any mineral deposits, increasing efficiency and extending the life of your water heater.

  5. Clean your gutters twice a year. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home. 

  6. Check your fire extinguisher annually! A fire extinguisher with no pressure is useless.

  7. Clean out your dryer vent, no not the lint screen, the exterior vent.  This will increase efficiency and longevity and prevent any possible fire hazard.  You can do this by removing the vent entirely or by vacuuming it.

  8. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide testers every year.

  9. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually.

  10. Check all outlets to make sure they have power.  If any are not working we recommend hiring an electrician to fix them as faulty connections could be a fire hazard.  Also, make sure all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are working by pressing the test button.


Bonus tip: Check your doorbell.  It’s amazing how many doorbells don’t work and if you’re trying to sell your home nothing says, “This home has not been cared for” to a visiting prospective buyer like a broken doorbell.


And finally, put these items on your calendar so they won’t be missed.