A preventive home maintenance plan: monthly, seasonal and yearly checks for AC, water, electrics and roofs

Most big household failures start small: a clogged filter, a blocked AC drain, cracked silicone, or a small unseen leak. This plan puts the periodic checks in one schedule, citing the source wherever a figure comes from an official body.

1) Monthly

• AC filters: clean or replace them routinely; a clogged filter restricts airflow and reduces the unit's efficiency, and routine cleaning or replacement can cut the air conditioner's energy use by 5% to 15%1. On dusty days you may need to do it more often. See indoor air and dust.
• Quick leak check: read the water meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again; if it changed, there is probably a leak2. See leak detection.
• Look at wet areas: under basins, around water heaters and behind toilets: any wetness, stains or smell.
• RCD Test button: press it so it trips, then reset (practical advice; follow the manufacturer's instructions). If it does not trip, call an electrician. See breakers and RCDs.

2) Each season (before summer and before winter)

• AC condensate drains: check them periodically; a plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity3.
• Outdoor units: keep the surroundings clean and plants and obstructions at least about 60 cm away4. See AC problems.
• Roof before the rainy season: clear gutters and outlets, and look for cracked visible waterproofing or ponding. See roof waterproofing.
• Silicone and grout around basins, bath and shower: renew any crack or gap. See resealing silicone.
• Indoor humidity: keep it below 60%, ideally 30–50%5.

3) Yearly

• AC service by a technician: an annual pre-season check-up that includes cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, checking the refrigerant level, tightening electrical connections and inspecting the condensate drain3.
• Water tanks: check the cover and cleanliness, and clean and disinfect when needed using the WHO method (scrub, rinse, chlorinate, and discharge disinfection water to the sewer)6. See water tanks.
• Water heaters: check the temperature setting; Legionella multiplies between 20 and 45°C and does not survive above 60°C7. See water heater safety.
• Electrics: watch for any hot socket, a breaker that trips often, or a burning smell; these are jobs for a licensed electrician. See electrical problems.
• Cracks, paint and timber: walk round walls, ceilings and wooden doors, and look for termite signs (mud tubes); treatment is a job for a licensed company8.

4) Summary schedule

5) Keep a maintenance log

Practical advice: keep a simple log (date, item, what was done, by whom, cost) with parts invoices and equipment warranties. It helps with warranty claims and when selling or letting the house. See also new building handover and when to call a pro.