Most expensive home repairs start as cheap ones nobody noticed. A cracked gutter seam becomes a rotted fascia; a $6 furnace filter becomes a $300 service call. This checklist walks through what to check every season, why it matters, and which jobs you can safely do yourself.
Spring
- Roof and gutters: After winter, look for lifted or missing shingles and clear gutters and downspouts. Water should discharge at least a metre (3–4 ft) from the foundation.
- Exterior walls and seals: Check caulk around windows and doors. Gaps let water in during spring rains and cool air out all summer.
- Air conditioning: Rinse the outdoor condenser coil and clear plants back half a metre. Replace the filter before the first hot week — not during it.
- Grading and drainage: Walk the perimeter after a heavy rain. Pooling water against the foundation is the single biggest cause of basement problems worldwide.
Summer
- Decks, fences and railings: Tighten fasteners, look for rot at post bases, and re-seal timber every 2–3 years.
- Windows: Clean weep holes (the small drain slots in the frame) so storm water can escape.
- Plumbing: Check under every sink with a torch. A slow drip inside a cabinet can run for months unseen.
- Paint and render: Summer is the season to repaint — look for chalking, bubbling, or hairline cracks.
Autumn
- Heating: Test the furnace, boiler, or heat pump on the first mild day, not the first cold one. Replace filters and bleed radiators.
- Gutters again: Clear them after the leaves finish falling. Blocked gutters plus freezing nights equals ice dams and ceiling stains.
- Outdoor taps and irrigation: In freezing climates, drain and insulate outdoor taps and blow out irrigation lines.
- Safety devices: Change smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries when the clocks change.
Winter
- Attic and roof space: On a cold day, look for damp insulation or frost on the underside of the roof deck — both mean ventilation or air-leak problems.
- Humidity: Condensation on windows means indoor humidity is too high; persistent dampness breeds mould.
- Water heater: Drain a few litres from the tank to flush sediment; it extends the life of the element.
The hard part isn't the list — it's remembering
Every home has different filter sizes, paint codes, appliance ages, and quirks. The My Home Genius app keeps your home's full record — every filter size, paint colour, and service date — and reminds you what's due each season. See something you don't recognise while doing your checks? Snap a photo in the app and ask; the AI will tell you what it is and whether it's a DIY fix or a call-a-pro job.