Homeowner’s Maintenance Checklist: Yearly Services You Should Be Doing as a Homeowner

Spring  

The focus is on recovering from the winter freeze and preparing all systems for the intense Colorado summer heat. 

• • Sprinkler System Startup: The time to check your system for damage caused by the winter freeze. Check all heads, flush lines, and set timers for efficient, deep watering. 

• • Lawn Aeration & Fertilization: Essential for breaking up Denver’s compacted clay soil, allowing water and nutrients to penetrate the roots. 

• • HVAC Inspection (AC Prep): Schedule a professional tune-up for your air conditioning unit to ensure it runs efficiently when the summer heat arrives. 

• • Exterior Check: Inspect your roof, flashing, and gutters for shingles damaged by ice or high winds. Clean any debris accumulated over the winter. 

Summer  

Focus on keeping the exterior protected from the sun and rain and minimizing dust buildup inside. 

• • Siding and Deck Maintenance: Clean and power wash siding and decks. Re-stain or seal decks to protect them from intense UV exposure. 

• • Lawn & Landscape Care: Perform routine weeding, trimming, and check for signs of pests or disease. 

• • Deep Appliance Clean: Clean out the range hood filter and coils on the back of the refrigerator (improves efficiency and fire safety). 

• • Inspect Plumbing/Hoses: Check outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks. 

Fall  

This is the most critical time of year for Colorado homeowners. The focus is on preparing the home to survive the freezing temperatures and intense wind. 

• • Sprinkler Blowout/Winterization: Crucial! Hire a professional to perform a sprinkler blowout in Denver to remove all water from the lines before the first hard freeze. This simple service prevents massive pipe damage. 

• • HVAC Inspection (Furnace Prep): Schedule a professional tune-up for your furnace to ensure safe and efficient operation during the winter. 

• • Air Duct Cleaning: Recommended to remove accumulated dust, pet dander, and allergens before you seal the home up for the winter months. Cleaning your air ducts means you’ll circulate cleaner air during the winter. 

• • Gutter and Downspout Cleaning: Remove all fallen leaves and debris. Blocked gutters can lead to ice dams and water damage to your roof and fascia. 

• • Inspect Weather Stripping: Check all doors and windows for drafts and replace old, cracked weather stripping. 

Winter  

Focus on interior systems, monitoring insulation, and safety checks while the house is sealed tight. 

• • Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarms: Test batteries monthly. 

• • Insulation & Draft Check: Check the attic and crawl spaces for proper insulation and watch for energy leaks or cold spots near electrical outlets and windows. 

• • Check Vents and Registers: Ensure all heat registers are open and not blocked by furniture or rugs to maintain optimal airflow. 

• • Check Sump Pump: Ensure it’s operational, especially during winter thaws or heavy snowmelt. 

Why Colorado Can Be an Especially Hard Place for First-Time Homeowners 

The challenges of the high-altitude, semi-arid climate often surprise new Colorado residents, making a consistent homeowner’s maintenance checklist vital for survival. 

• • Clay Soil Instability: Much of the soil in the Denver area is expansive clay. It swells dramatically when wet and shrinks when dry, putting constant pressure on foundations and concrete slabs. This requires specific attention to drainage and grading. 

• • The Freeze/Thaw Cycle: Unlike colder, stable climates, Colorado sees extreme temperature swings. A 50-degree day followed by a 10-degree night in the same week creates intense expansion and contraction in pipes, concrete, and roofing materials, making the annual sprinkler blowout an absolute necessity. 

• • High UV and Dry Air: The intensity of the sun at altitude rapidly degrades exterior paint, sealants, and roofing materials, accelerating the need for proactive protection.