A maintenance task list for every month of the year.

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Annually

Insulate exposed hose bibs and lines before the next freezing night.

Applies to: homeowners

Water heater · Annually

Flush sediment and scale that hard water leaves behind in the tank.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Annually

Review fire extinguishers and confirm every household member knows where they are.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

HVAC · Annually

Have the heating side serviced before spring — heating issues left sit become summer surprises.

Applies to: homeowners

Exterior · Annually

Check caulking and weatherstripping on doors and windows after winter wind.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

HVAC · Annually

Replace or clean the air filter before the cooling season begins.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Annually

Clear debris from the condenser coil and check that the unit drains freely.

Applies to: homeowners

Exterior · Annually

Walk the yard and confirm the grade still slopes away from the foundation.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Pool · Weekly in season

Check the equipment pad for leaks and confirm the pump and filter run as expected.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

HVAC · Annually

Have cooling equipment serviced before the first serious heat, when schedules are shortest.

Applies to: homeowners

Roof · Annually

Inspect for lifted or curled shingles and cracked flashing before summer heat sets them further.

Applies to: homeowners, sellers

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Pool · Weekly in season

Check the equipment pad for leaks and confirm the pump and filter run as expected.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

HVAC · Annually

Confirm the thermostat cycles the system correctly and note any rooms that cool unevenly.

Applies to: homeowners

Exterior · Annually

Check stucco for hairline cracks and failed seals where driven rain could enter later.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Pool · Weekly in season

Check the equipment pad for leaks and confirm the pump and filter run as expected.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Drainage · Before monsoon season

Clear gutters, scuppers, and downspout extensions away from the foundation.

Applies to: homeowners

Roof · Before monsoon season

Look for failed seals around vents and penetrations — monsoon wind finds them first.

Applies to: homeowners, sellers

Exterior · Before monsoon season

Check window seals and weep holes so driven rain has nowhere to enter or sit.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Pool · Weekly in season

Check the equipment pad for leaks and confirm the pump and filter run as expected.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Exterior · During monsoon

After the first big storms, check ceilings and window frames for new staining.

Applies to: homeowners

Drainage · During monsoon

Watch where water actually runs during a storm and note any ponding against the house.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Pool · Weekly in season

Check the equipment pad for leaks and confirm the pump and filter run as expected.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Roof · Annually

Look for curled shingles, failed seals, and cracked flashing after peak heat.

Applies to: homeowners, sellers

Drainage · During monsoon

Re-check gutters and scuppers after wind events — one storm can refill them.

Applies to: homeowners

Attic · Annually

Check attic vents for dust loading and look for daylight or staining after monsoon rain.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Pool · Weekly in season

Check the equipment pad for leaks and confirm the pump and filter run as expected.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Attic · Annually

Check insulation for displaced batts and dust accumulation after the summer.

Applies to: homeowners

Exterior · Annually

Trim vegetation back from walls and the condenser before the off-season.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

HVAC · Annually

Have the heating side checked before the first cold nights.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Annually

Replace alarm batteries and retest every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Plumbing · Annually

Drain and protect exterior hose bibs and irrigation lines before the first freeze.

Applies to: homeowners

Water heater · Annually

Check the temperature and pressure relief valve and note the unit's age.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Monthly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and note their manufacture dates.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

HVAC · Monthly in cooling season

Check the air filter — desert dust loads a filter faster than the calendar suggests.

Applies to: homeowners, buyers

Plumbing · Monthly

Look under sinks and at supply valves for early signs of leaks or corrosion.

Applies to: homeowners

Exterior · Annually

Check that heat tape or insulation on exposed lines is in place and working.

Applies to: homeowners

Safety · Annually

Walk the house at night and confirm paths, entries, and outdoor lights are safe and working.

Applies to: homeowners