Homvio guides
Know what your house is asking for.
Plain answers on what to do, when to do it, and when to call someone. For people who'd rather not become furnace experts.
A SEASON AT A TIME
January: the middle of winter
- Look for ice dams and big icicles10 min
- Check under sinks during a cold snap10 min
- Vacuum the refrigerator coils15 min
February: look for what winter is hiding
- Take a flashlight into the attic15 min
- Clean the dishwasher filter5 min
- Press test on your GFCI outlets5 min
March: walk the outside of the house
- Walk around the house after the worst of winter20 min
- Test the sump pump5 min
- Replace alarm batteries when the clocks change10 min
April: spring cleaning, for the house
- Clean the gutters and downspouts1–2 hrs
- Clear around the outdoor AC unit15 min
- Turn the outside faucets back on10 min
May: get ready to be outside
- Check the deck before the first cookout20 min
- Test the garage door's auto-reverse5 min
- Wash the window screens30 min
June: the ones everyone forgets
- Clean the dryer vent45 min
- Clean the bathroom fan covers15 min
- Check the outside walls for pest entry20 min
July: help the ac through the heat
- Change the AC filter2 min
- Check the AC condensate drain10 min
- Inspect the washing machine hoses5 min
August: before the weather turns
- Vacuum the refrigerator coils again15 min
- Trim back branches near the roof1 hr
- Check which warranties end this year15 min
September: book it before everyone else does
- Book the furnace tune-up5 min
- Book the chimney inspection5 min
- Clear around the furnace10 min
October: close up for the cold
- Disconnect the garden hoses15 min
- Clean the gutters again1–2 hrs
- Drain the sprinkler system1 hr
November: get ahead of the first hard freeze
- Replace alarm batteries when the clocks change10 min
- Insulate exposed pipes30 min
- Find the main water shutoff10 min
December: quiet jobs and a safe holiday
- Clean the range hood filter15 min
- Keep the Christmas tree watered1 min
- Heading out of town? Protect the pipes10 min
THE KNOW-HOW WORTH KEEPING
Start with a useful question.
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Heating and coolingHow to change a furnace filter (and find the right size)Where the filter is, which size and rating to buy, which way the arrow goes, and how often to change it. Five minutes, no tools.
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Records and paperworkHow to organize appliance manuals and warrantiesKeep the correct manual, warranty terms and purchase receipt with each appliance, with a simple system you can maintain.
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Records and paperworkHow to transfer a home's maintenance records to the buyerPrepare a useful home record, invite the right buyer, and confirm they can open it after accepting the handoff.
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SeasonalHow to winterize your home before the first hard freezeThe jobs that actually matter before cold weather, starting with the ones that prevent burst pipes. Plus what to do if a pipe freezes anyway.
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Records and paperworkWhat to leave for buyers when you sell your homeA practical home handoff checklist for manuals, maintenance records, useful contacts and the details buyers need after closing.
Records and paperworkWhat to keep in your home recordThe equipment details, manuals, warranty paperwork and history worth keeping.
A little less on your mind.
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