Updated for 2026
2026 Home Maintenance Calendar: Understanding Year-Round Awareness
This calendar helps you understand what to be aware of throughout the year. These are awareness points to help you recognize when situations need professional attention. This calendar focuses on understanding, not performing tasks. Always consult a licensed professional for work requiring permits or specialized knowledge.
Important Safety Note
This calendar includes only awareness points for understanding. For electrical work, gas line work, structural modifications, or anything requiring permits, always hire a licensed professional. See our Disclaimer for more information.
January
- Understand smoke and CO alarm awareness (see our guide)
- Understand furnace filter awareness (see filter guide)
- Understand weatherstripping awareness around doors and windows
- Understand draft awareness
- Understand main shutoff location awareness (water, power, gas)
- Understand ice dam awareness on roof edges (from ground, don't climb)
February
- Continue understanding furnace filter awareness
- Understand bathroom fan awareness
- Understand caulking awareness around tubs and sinks
- Understand GFCI outlet awareness (see GFCI guide)
- Understand water leak awareness under sinks
- Review Understanding Winter Maintenance for additional awareness points
March
- Understand furnace filter awareness
- Understand exterior damage awareness
- Understand gutter and downspout awareness (from ground)
- Understand smoke and CO alarm awareness
- Understand door hardware and hinge awareness
- Review Understanding Spring Maintenance for upcoming awareness points
April
- Understand HVAC vent and return awareness (see vent guide)
- Understand range hood filter awareness
- Understand bathroom fan awareness
- Understand circuit breaker awareness (see circuit breaker guide)
- Understand window draft awareness
- Review Understanding Spring Maintenance
May
- Understand HVAC filter awareness
- Understand caulking awareness around windows and doors
- Understand drainage awareness around foundation
- Understand GFCI outlet awareness
- Understand water heater leak awareness (observation only)
- Review Understanding Spring Maintenance
June
- Understand bathroom fan awareness
- Understand range hood awareness
- Understand running toilet awareness (see toilet guide)
- Understand smoke and CO alarm awareness
- Understand door hardware awareness
- Review Understanding Summer Maintenance
July
- Understand HVAC filter awareness
- Understand under-sink leak awareness (see leak guide)
- Understand weatherstripping awareness
- Understand circuit breaker awareness
- Understand HVAC vent obstruction awareness
- Review Understanding Summer Maintenance
August
- Understand range hood filter awareness
- Understand caulking awareness in bathrooms
- Understand GFCI outlet awareness
- Understand window draft awareness
- Understand door latch and hinge awareness
- Review Understanding Summer Maintenance
September
- Understand HVAC filter awareness
- Understand smoke and CO alarm awareness
- Understand weatherstripping awareness
- Understand gutter and downspout awareness (from ground)
- Review Understanding Fall Maintenance for upcoming awareness points
- Understand exterior repair awareness
October
- Understand HVAC vent and return awareness
- Understand bathroom fan awareness
- Understand circuit breaker awareness
- Understand window operation awareness
- Understand caulking awareness around windows
- Review Understanding Fall Maintenance
November
- Understand HVAC filter awareness
- Understand GFCI outlet awareness
- Understand draft awareness
- Understand door hardware awareness
- Understand main shutoff location awareness
- Review Understanding Fall Maintenance
December
- Understand smoke and CO alarm awareness
- Understand range hood filter awareness
- Understand weatherstripping awareness
- Understand running toilet awareness
- Review Understanding Winter Maintenance
- Understand winter maintenance awareness preparation
Year-Round Awareness Points
These awareness points should be understood regularly throughout the year:
- Understand furnace/HVAC filter awareness (typically checked monthly)
- Understand smoke and CO alarm awareness (typically tested monthly)
- Understand water leak awareness under sinks
- Understand door and window operation awareness
- Understand unusual sounds or smells awareness