Home Maintenance Schedule for Baltimore Homeowners: What to Do Every Season

Owning a home in the Baltimore area means managing a house through four distinct seasons — humid summers, winters with ice and snow, and springs and falls with heavy rainfall. Each season has its own maintenance demands.

Spring (March–May)

• Clean gutters of winter debris and check for ice dam damage
• Walk the perimeter after spring rains and look for water pooling near the foundation
• Schedule your air conditioning tune-up before summer heat
• Test your sump pump — pour a bucket of water into the pit to confirm it activates
• Inspect deck/porch for rot, loose fasteners, and deteriorated sealant

Summer (June–August)

• Touch up exterior paint showing peeling or bare wood
• Check attic ventilation — a hot, poorly ventilated attic shortens shingle life
• Check for carpenter ant and termite activity
• Clean the dryer duct — a significant fire hazard when clogged with lint
• Drain a quart of water from the water heater tank to remove sediment

Fall (September–November)

• Schedule furnace or heat pump service before first cold snap
• Have chimney swept and inspected if you use a wood-burning fireplace
• Clean gutters after leaves fall in late October/November
• Inspect door and window weatherstripping — replace any compressed or missing material
• Shut off outdoor water supply valves before first freeze

Winter (December–February)

• Keep cabinet doors under sinks open during extreme cold to prevent frozen pipes
• Monitor roof after heavy snowfall — more than 18–24 inches of wet snow can stress roof structure
• Test smoke and CO detectors monthly — Maryland requires CO detectors on every floor with sleeping areas