The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for Auckland Homeowners

If you’re a homeowner, then we don’t need to tell you how challenging it can be to keep up with home maintenance. Tackling home repairs in Auckland can often feel like Sisyphus pushing his boulder up that hill: endless, and more than a little frustrating. But there’s a simple solution that can make a big difference: a home maintenance checklist.

We’ve provided one below, covering the most important tasks to address across all four seasons. Read on to find out what you should be tackling this weekend!

Winter

As a team that tackles home repairs in Auckland, winter is one of our busiest times of the year. The onslaught of rain and grey days can bring homeowners down, but it can also highlight issues that managed to creep unseen through the rest of the year.

Leakiness, dampness, mould, and draughts become particularly obvious when temperatures drop. So, while winter can be frustrating, it’s also the perfect time to take a closer look at your home and catch problems early.

Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

• Check for leaks: Inspect your roof, gutters, and windows for any leaks or cracks. Seal any potential entry points for moisture.
• Clear your gutters: Remove debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent blockages and water damage.
• Inspect your heating system: Clean and service your heat pump, fireplace, or other heating systems to ensure they function properly.
• Seal draughts: Apply weather stripping or sealant around doors and windows to retain warmth and lower energy costs.
• Eliminate mould and dampness: Check your walls, ceilings, and behind furniture for mould growth. Treat and ventilate affected areas.
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors: Replace any low batteries and ensure all your safety devices are in working order.

Spring

With the winter rain abating and warmer days ahead, spring is the ideal time to freshen up your home and carefully inspect for any damage left over from the winter months.

Spring is also when a lot of little lives perk their heads up, including – unfortunately – some of the most common pests in New Zealand. If you live rurally or have had pest problems in the past, this is the ideal time to double-check your pest-proofing to make sure no unwelcome guests make it inside.

Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

• Deep clean the exterior: Wash your home’s cladding, windows, and driveways to remove dirt and mildew.
• Service your air conditioning system: Clean or replace filters and ensure your unit is ready for summer.
• Inspect outdoor areas: Assess decks, patios, and fences for rot or damage. Repair or reseal surfaces as needed.
• Control pests: Identify and address any signs of infestations because they can creep up on you as time goes on! Take proactive steps where possible.
• Prune trees and shrubs: Trim overgrown branches to prevent them from snapping in high winds.
• Check your plumbing for leaks: Look under sinks and around toilets for slow leaks. Repair any drips or cracks promptly.

Summer

When summer is in full swing, you’ll have longer, warmer days to spend outdoors and ensure your home is in tip-top shape. Since the weather is playing along and there are no major risks to your home this season, it’s a great time to get into the bigger home maintenance projects you might have been putting to the wayside for the rest of the year.

Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

• Inspect and repair your roof: Replace any missing or damaged tiles, address rust spots, and have a professional inspect your roof.
• Repaint and reseal exterior surfaces: Call in an exterior painting team to apply fresh paint, wood stain, or weatherproofing treatments to protect your home.
• Maintain outdoor plumbing: Test your garden hoses, sprinklers, and outdoor taps for leaks or wear.
• Clean and protect outdoor furniture: Wash, repair, and apply protective coatings to prevent damage from the sun and moisture.
• Maintain swimming pools or spa pools: Balance chemical levels, clean filters, and remove debris to prevent the dreaded green bog.

Autumn

When the world turns gold and the leaves start to fall, it’s time to start preparing your home for the cooler months ahead. The falling leaves present their own challenges, inviting pests and clogging gutters.

Your Autumn Home Maintenance Checklist

• Clean and inspect chimneys and fireplaces: Remove buildup and ensure they’re safe for winter use.
• Improve insulation: Check for gaps and add insulation where necessary to keep your home warm and cosy.
• Ensure proper drainage: Clear any blockages in your gutters, drains, and downspouts to prevent water damage.
• Store your summer gear properly: Clean and pack away outdoor furniture, BBQs, and gardening tools.
• Stock up on emergency supplies: Prepare a kit with essentials like torches, batteries, and first-aid supplies for stormy weather.

Remember, home ownership is a marathon, not a sprint! There will be plenty of home maintenance in your future, especially if you live in an Auckland property and contend with Aotearoa’s unique weather system. However, with the right home maintenance checklist and a one-thing-at-a-time attitude, you’ll have no problem tackling what matters most and keeping your home healthy.

That said, it never hurts to get a little bit of help. For major projects, such as weatherproofing and recladding, consider partnering with a professional to ensure that no damp spots or mould sneak past you. When your home stands proud for decades to come, any investment in occasional professional maintenance checks will be well worth it.

Trust the Experts in Home Maintenance in Auckland to Keep Your Home Beautiful

Nothing keeps a home healthy like ongoing maintenance. When you trust the professionals to tackle your home’s care, you can be sure your most valuable asset will go the distance with you.

You wouldn’t neglect servicing your vehicle, right? Similarly, treat your home as the temple it is and allow our experts in home repairs to run a full series of checks.

Get in touch to book your home maintenance and weathertightness check today!