Monthly home maintenance checklist: a 20-minute routine

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Seasonal checklists handle the big jobs. This one is the small, steady habit in between. A dead smoke alarm, a GFCI that no longer trips or a slow drip under the sink are easy to miss for months. Twenty minutes once a month is enough to catch them.

Pick a day you will remember, such as the first Saturday or the day you pay a regular bill. Work room by room with this page open on your phone. Your ticks are saved, so you can stop and pick up later.

Safety

Test every smoke alarm Press and hold the test button until it sounds. The U.S. Fire Administration says to test all smoke alarms monthly.
Test every carbon monoxide alarm The CPSC suggests monthly testing. Replace the alarm by the date on its label or in its manual.
Note any alarm that chirps or fails Replace the battery, or the whole unit if it is near its replacement date. Hardwired alarms are a job for an electrician.
Test GFCI outlets Plug in a lamp, press Test (the lamp goes off), then Reset (it comes back). Leviton recommends this monthly. If it fails, see GFCI outlet not working.
Check that your fire extinguisher is where it should be Make sure it is easy to reach and that the gauge reads in the range shown on its label.
Look at cords and power strips Replace anything frayed, cracked, warm to the touch or pinched under furniture or rugs.

Heating and cooling

Check the HVAC filter Hold it up to a light. If you can barely see through it, replace it. See change your HVAC filter.
Make sure supply and return vents are open and clear Furniture, rugs and curtains over vents make the system work harder.
Glance at the outdoor unit Pull away leaves, weeds or snow so it can breathe.
Check the thermostat display and schedule A blank screen often means weak batteries. Adjust the program as the seasons change. See thermostat not working.

Kitchen

Flush the garbage disposal with cool water InSinkErator recommends running cool water before, during and for a few seconds after grinding, and never pouring in grease. If it hums or stops, see garbage disposal not working.
Clean the dishwasher filter if your model has one Your manual shows where it is. A clogged filter leaves dirty water in the bottom. See dishwasher not draining.
Wash or replace the range hood filter Grease buildup is a fire risk. Follow the hood maker's cleaning instructions.
Check the fridge and freezer temperatures If food is softening or not staying cold, see refrigerator not cooling.

Plumbing

Look under every sink Use a flashlight. Feel for damp pipes and look for stains or soft wood on the cabinet floor.
Listen for toilets that run or refill on their own That is water down the drain all day. See fix a running toilet.
Run water in rarely used sinks and tubs This keeps drain traps full so sewer odors stay out, and shows you any slow drains. See unclog a drain without chemicals.
Check around the water heater and washing machine Look for puddles, rust or drips at hose connections.

Around the house

Look at ceilings and walls for new stains A brown ring or bubbling paint often points to a roof or pipe leak above. Catching it early keeps the repair small.
Open and close exterior doors and make sure they latch A door that won't latch won't lock. See door won't latch.
Walk around the outside once Look for overflowing gutters, a dripping outdoor faucet or anything the last storm knocked loose.

Laundry

Clean the dryer lint screen every load, and check behind the dryer monthly The USFA notes lint collects behind the dryer too, and a kinked or crushed duct is a fire risk. See dryer not heating.
Check the outside dryer vent flap With the dryer running, the flap should open. If it doesn't, the vent may be blocked.

Never forget the first-of-the-month check again: our free maintenance calendar adds a reminder to your phone. If a test turns up a failing outlet, a hardwired alarm problem or a leak you can't trace, we can match you with a local pro.

Common questions

How often should I test smoke alarms?

Once a month. The U.S. Fire Administration says to test all smoke alarms monthly, replace standard batteries at least once a year, and replace the whole alarm 10 years from its manufacture date.

How often should I test GFCI outlets?

Leviton, a major GFCI maker, recommends testing them monthly by pressing Test and then Reset. If an outlet will not trip or reset, have an electrician replace it.

Do I really need to change my HVAC filter every month?

Not always, but you should look at it every month. The Department of Energy suggests monthly checks and replacing it when it looks dirty or as the filter or system maker recommends.