Home maintenance checklist

Regular home maintenance is essential to ensure a safe and efficient home. It’s a good idea to set aside some money in your budget each month for home maintenance and repair. As a rule of thumb, homeowners spend between 1% and 4% of their home’s value on maintenance and repair each year.

You may be able to earn the Cashback Bonus® on your maintenance expenses at participating retailers when you use your Discover® card. Or, if you’re regular maintenance leads to a bigger remodeling project, you might consider taking out a home equity loan from Discover Home Loans to cover the cost.

Doing a yearly home maintenance check

Following this maintenance checklist on a regular basis can help your home look its best, keep utility bills down and prevent more costly repairs in the future.

• Foundation – Check for moisture and cracks that are expanding.
• Roof – Inspect for loose tiles or shingles and signs of leaks around vents, skylights, and chimneys.
• Paint – Touch up any interior or exterior paint that is cracking or peeling.
• Gutters – Clean out gutters and downspouts to remove leaves and other blockages.
• Chimney – Clean out the chimney to remove buildup of flammable substances.
• Water Heater – Drain the water heater until it is clear of sediment and refill with clean water. (This will extend the life of your water heater.)
• Heating and Cooling System – Change all filters. (Depending on the type of filters you use, this may need to be done as often as once a month.)