System guide

Gutters maintenance

What a gutters actually needs, how often, what it costs to skip, and whether to DIY or call a pro. The schedule shifts with your region - see your city below for the local version.

Test smoke & CO alarms

This month

Batteries fade silently. Press the button on each, swap any that chirp.

You can do this · 2 min Keep waiting: life safety

Winterize outdoor faucets

Before first frost

A pipe that bursts behind a wall is the priciest preventable disaster a home has.

You can do this · 10 min Keep waiting: burst-pipe flooding

Clean the gutters

This fall

Clogged gutters push rain straight into your foundation and basement.

Gutter service · ~$160 Keep waiting: foundation water damage

Look over the roof

This fall

A few lifted or missing shingles now is a $300 fix; the leak they cause is a $5,000 one.

Roofer · ~$0–200 Keep waiting: interior leak damage

Check grading & downspout splash

This spring

Soil that's settled toward the house steers every rain into the foundation.

You can do this · 30 min Keep waiting: foundation seepage

Reseal tub & window caulk

This year

Failed caulk lets water behind tile and trim, where rot and mold start out of sight.

You can do this · an hour Keep waiting: hidden water damage

Vacuum the fridge coils

This year

Dust-caked coils make the compressor run hot and die years early.

You can do this · 15 min

See your whole home, not just one system

Enter your address for a complete, ranked plan across every system - built from your home's real age, size, and region. Free.

Check my home

Gutters maintenance by city

Hartford, CTCold winter region Phoenix, AZHot / arid region Pittsburgh, PACold winter region Rochester, NYCold winter region