March Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

Spring cleaning is fully underway as the snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom. Read our monthly home maintenance and safety checklist to ensure you’re ready for March.

Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Hold the test button down until you hear a loud siren. If you don’t hear anything, replace the battery. We also recommend replacing your CO detectors and smoke alarms once every decade.

Look for leaks and missing, damaged, or loose shingles. Ice dams that formed over the winter can damage your roof and lead to expensive repairs down the road.

Make sure the auto-reverse feature works by placing an object underneath the garage door. If the door doesn’t reverse when it encounters the obstacle, it requires too much force and should be repaired.

Look for leaves or vegetation and clear any debris to make sure water flows freely.

This will ensure it’s working properly for the hot months to come.

This will help protect your home from outside bugs and critters. Add door and window sensors for a little extra security.

This is important to avoid damaging concrete, asphalt, and wood. Road salt can also damage pets’ feet, so be sure to keep your walkway clear once the snow and ice is gone.

This helps prevent soot accumulation, which could fuel a chimney fire. It’s also smart to make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand to keep near your fireplace.

Ensure they’re not overloaded to prevent an electrical shortage or power outage. Outlet safety covers are also a good step to take when babyproofing your home or keeping curious little fingers away from danger.

Clean your carpets to remove stains and prevent unhealthy accumulation of soil and dirt. This is also a good way to get ahead of spring allergies by removing pet hair and dander.

This prevents dust buildup and makes your home look fresh and clean. Touch up baseboards and doors with paint to prevent chipping and preserve the wood’s integrity. Invest in a robot vacuum cleaner to make the job easier.

Fix caulking on weather stripping and windows to prevent drafts or water from getting in your home. Add a water leak detector under your sink or the hot water heater to prevent pooling and other water damage.

Reduce dust and dirt accumulation on bookshelves and cabinets.

Remove showerheads and clean off sediment and mineral deposits so water flows freely.

This will keep airflow unobstructed. If the furnace is clogged, it has to work harder, which will cause it to wear out faster.

Remove sediment so your water heater keeps performing at its best. Sediment buildup makes it harder for the heater to heat the same amount of water.

Cleaning out your HVAC system ensures it operates efficiently.

This helps remove odors and keeps the machines running smoothly.

By doing this, you can prevent dust and lint from taking over the space.

Keeping the garbage disposal clean prevents unwanted smells and bacteria.

Toss expired food, wipe down all your pantry shelves, and sweep or mop the floor. This will deter bugs from infiltrating the area.

• February Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist
• April Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist
• Spring Cleaning Checklist
• Winter Cleaning Checklist