The year at a glance

Adjust to your home and the manuals for your appliances.

Spring
Look at washer hoses and valves; check the water heater base; look for stains after snowmelt on any basement walls.
Summer
Check the condensate drain and pan; flush a clogged line if the maker allows; look under sinks.
Fall
Prepare the humidifier; look at the heater and furnace area; check exterior hose bibs before freezing temperatures.
Winter
Watch for cold-snap issues in unheated areas; monitor humidifier operation; keep an eye on bills.

Spring list

  • Washer hoses: cracks, bulges, damp collars
  • Valve handles: turn gently
  • Water heater: floor around base, rust, dampness at fittings
  • Dishwasher: gasket and floor in front
  • Basement walls: stains or efflorescence

Summer list

  • AC condensate line: clear and draining
  • Float switch: function checked by an HVAC technician
  • Under-sink supply lines: dry
  • Ice maker line: no drips behind the fridge
  • Softener: connectors and drain hose

Fall list

  • Humidifier pad and drain tube
  • Water heater T&P discharge pipe: no steady drip
  • Hose bibs disconnected and drained where appropriate
  • Furnace area: no stains or rust
  • Batteries in leak sensors

Winter list

  • Humidifier area: no drips or rust
  • Garages and unheated closets: pipes protected as advised
  • Water bill: compare to prior months
  • Any appliance in an exterior wall: feel for cold drafts
  • Know where the main shutoff is when away

Cold-weather note

The Front Range sees cold snaps that can freeze exposed lines. Pipes in exterior walls, garages and unheated crawl spaces are worth checking. A plumber can advise on insulation or heat sources suitable for your layout. A frozen line that splits can release water when it thaws, which is a different kind of leak with a similar response: shut the main, photograph, call a plumber.

A short seasonal routine takes only a few minutes, and the log of what you saw becomes evidence of good maintenance. If something looks off, do not wait for the next season: take a photograph, write the date and ask the right professional. Put the next due date in the calendar, and share the checklist with anyone else in the household so the habit does not depend on one person.

Keep the four lists on one page and initial each item when done; the initials and dates make an easy record, and gaps show which appliance has been ignored longest.

General information for Arvada, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.