Home maintenance guides

Straight answers to the questions every house raises: how often, how to, and when to call a pro. Each guide lists its sources and the day it was checked.

Heating and cooling

• How often should you change your furnace filter?Monthly check, a 3-month minimum, and what changes that: pets, dust, thick filters, heavy-use months.
• HVAC maintenance checklist: what you do and what the pro doesThe monthly and seasonal jobs that are yours, the yearly tune-up that isn't, and when to book it.

Water and plumbing

• How to flush a tank water heaterHow often makers say to flush, the safe order for gas and electric tanks, and the signs it's a plumber's job.
• When should you replace your water heater?How old is too old, the signs that mean replace rather than repair, and the choices for the next one.
• How to test a sump pumpThe bucket test, the float, the check valve, the discharge line outside and the backup pump, step by step.

Safety

• How to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsThe monthly test, where each alarm goes, batteries, the 10-year rule, and what to do when a CO alarm goes off.
• Dryer vent cleaning: how often, and how to do itLint filter every load, the vent once a year, foil versus metal duct, and the signs it's clogged.

Outside and seasonal

• How often should you clean your gutters?Twice a year, plus where downspouts should drain, safe ladder setup, and what ice dams have to do with it.
• How to winterize outdoor faucetsHose off, inside valve closed, outside tap open: plus frost-free faucets, covers, timing and burst pipes.

Model and serial numbers

• How to find the model and serial number on any applianceThe hub: where the label is on each appliance, and why the model number matters.
• Where to find the model number on a refrigeratorInside, high on a side wall on most; brand by brand.
• Where to find the model number on a dishwasherOn the door's edge or the tub frame, door open.
• Where to find the model number on a washing machineAround the door on front-loaders; under the lid or on the back of top-loaders.
• Where to find the model number on a dryerOn the rim of the door opening, usually at the top.
• Where to find the model number on a furnaceOn a side panel or inside the front panel; the rating plate tells you more than the model.
• Where to find the model number on a water heaterOn the big rating label outside the tank, and what it tells you.
• Where to find the model number on an air conditionerOn the outside unit's cabinet near the service panel; what the plate tells you.

Planning and records

• New homeowner checklist: the first week, month and yearShutoffs and alarms on day one, filter and locks in month one, the inspection report through year one.
• Home records binder: what to keep and how longClosing papers, improvement receipts, warranties, insurance and a home inventory: what to keep and for how long.
• How much should you budget for home maintenance?The 1% and $1-per-square-foot rules, where they come from, and how age, winters and big-ticket items change them.

Checklists

• Home maintenance checklist, month by month
• Fall house checklist
• Where the model and serial label usually is
• Home inventory: what to keep and why