ProParts Direct Learning Center | All posts by larry-divine

House projects are a year-long thing, and no matter what you’ve gotten done, there’s always something else on the to-do list. Home maintenance mistakes can cost you big time — a lot of money that (sometimes quite literally) goes down the drain.

Winter, spring, summer, and fall… the list is never ending. But while it may be cheaper to handle most of the simple tasks by yourself, there are some things that should be left up to professional contractors.

When making a home DIY checklist for each season, avoid these 5 mistakes that could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.

Disinterest

Indifference and procrastination are actually the biggest mistakes any homeowner can make. Houses need upkeep, whether from DIY projects or by professional contractors. Putting off house maintenance may lead to serious damage to the structure’s foundation. (One way to keep yourself in the maintenance loop is to bookmark a home, yard, and garden parts link on your phone or computer). Not paying attention, blowing off necessities, and ignoring signs of termites and other insect infestations could end up costing you a bundle.

Routine Inspections

Checking out the property each season with an eye for detail is something you must do. Make a checklist for each component of the house, such as plumbing, heating and air conditioning, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, foundation inspection, and the crawlspace and attic — just to name a few. If there’s something amiss in these areas, you’ll never know unless you look! Even (or especially) in the best cities for tackling home improvements, inspecting the house is the first step to knowledge — what needs to be done and whether or not it’s a top priority. Putting off until tomorrow what you must do today may lead to a huge maintenance bill.

Heating and Cooling Maintenance

Ignoring your HVAC system can lead to a breakdown at the worst time…during a freezing cold winter or sweltering hot summer. Replacing the heating and cooling system will cost thousands of dollars –– something that would be necessary at some point, of course. But you may be able to put off that hefty purchase by giving the HVAC system a once-over, at least once or twice a year.

Replacing filters is an easy DIY job. But “real” maintenance of furnaces and air conditioners is best done by professionals. Technicians will look at refrigerant levels, air flow, connections, safety controls, and everything else they know about — more than you do. (Watching a YouTube video does NOT make you an expert in heating and air conditioning). Make a mistake with natural gas or electric furnaces and you could end up with a burned-out house.

Plumbing

Just like HVAC, DIY plumbing mistakes can cost you plenty of dough, especially if they lead to code violations.

Fixing a toilet flusher, valve, and leaky faucet are simple enough tasks but most plumbing projects are a bit more complex. Still, one mistake DIYers make is forgetting to turn off the water — not doing so can cause flooding, even if you think you can do the project quickly. Damaged threads or valves can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage. Turning off the main water valve or separate location valves is the easiest way to avoid unexpected – and potentially costly — floor damage.

Licensed plumbers are generally bonded and insured and they know local plumbing codes. Plumbers will inspect the entire system and fix whatever needs to be fixed. If any mistakes are made, they are responsible for fixing them. But if you decide to forgo hiring a professional plumber for any kind of work that leads to serious damage, your insurance company may not pay for any claims. DIYers may cause more damage to the plumbing system that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs.

Gutters and Roof Maintenance

Gutters get clogged with leaves, bird droppings, twigs, and flying debris. If homeowners don’t clean the gutters at least once or twice a year, the gunk can lead to water damage to the foundation of the house.

At the same time, roof maintenance is more than adding some sealant and replacing a shingle here and there, although that must also be done as needed. Holes, rotted boards, torn or missing flashing, and weakened facades can end up costing a lot — damage that an insurance company may NOT pay for, especially when it’s damage that was done over time (and not weather-related).

House maintenance projects are a concern when homeowners cannot realistically determine what they can and cannot do by themselves. The biggest mistake you can make is believing you can do better than the professionals. That’s when the home fix-up costs get mighty pricy, especially when the pros have to undo all the wrong stuff you’ve done.

Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.

Photo by: Eric Schmuttenmaer

Spring … it comes around every year (thankfully!). And with all the buds, blooms, and bright colors comes an important home maintenance checklist. Cleaning, repairing, and upgrading your home will keep it running smoothly for years to come. Just as important, a well-maintained house and property is a draw for buyers if and when the time comes to put it on the market.

Add these tasks to your spring 2025 (and beyond) home maintenance checklist.

Inside

Spring cleaning is more than dusting, vacuuming, and throwing away junk that’s accumulated over the past year. Here are some inside tasks to add to your to-do list.

Windows and glass doors. Cloudy days are best to wash glass windows and doors because direct sunshine dries the cleaning solution too quickly, leaving streaks. Store-bought glass cleaning products or homemade solutions (1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/3 cup vinegar, distilled water) and a microfiber cloth get the job done. Wipe down window sills and glass door tracks.

Carpets and rugs. Ground-in dirt and pet hair add up throughout the year, and spring is the time for deep cleaning carpets and rugs. Hiring a professional is optimal, but you can rent a rug cleaner to do it yourself.

Woodwork and surface cleaning. Design woodwork, fireplace mantels, baseboards, ledges—clean areas anywhere dirt and grime can settle. Dig your way under appliances and furniture. Curtains, blinds, light fixtures, and ceiling fans get dusty, too.

While you’re in cleaning mode, hit the pantry, refrigerator, and oven. Clean those dusty refrigerator coils—it helps the unit use less energy. In the bathrooms, clean all sinks, tubs, toilets, and showers. On to the bedrooms—wash all bedding, move furniture for dusting and vacuuming, flip and reposition the mattresses. In the laundry room, clean the dryer vent thoroughly.

Indoor Inspections

Making sure everything works properly is a high priority for your home maintenance list.

Window screens. Window screens get dirty and grimy, especially after a rainy autumn and snowy winter. Clean window screens with a blast of soapy water—nozzle hoses and water pressure units are good for this. (Just make sure the soap is thoroughly rinsed out of the screens). Repair any holes (or replace the screens entirely). Be sure the screens are fully dry before reinstalling. (Tip: leaf blowers are helpful in removing loose dirt and drying the screens).

Drain the hot water heater. Cleaning out the tank prevents sediment build-up.

Furnace inspection and cleaning. This project is best done by a professional, but DIYers can change the filters. Furnace maintenance in the spring is the best time to do it so you don’t get stuck with a broken furnace come winter.

Air conditioner. This project is also best suited for a professional HVAC technician. If you didn’t have this done over the fall or winter, do it now. Don’t wait until summer’s heat to find out the AC is on the fritz.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test the alarms and replace batteries at least every six months. (Tip: Write the dates on masking tape attached to the batteries). Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can save your life.

Leak detection. Moisture can get into a home’s foundation. A musty, moldy smell indicates the possibility of leaks in the floor, ceiling, or walls. Sink areas may have wetness, especially in the bathrooms and kitchen. Check for wetness around the dishwasher, refrigerator, toilets, bathtubs, and water heater.

Weather stripping protects doors and windows from air that comes in and leaks out.

Outdoors

Yearly outdoor home maintenance keeps the house in good shape. Add these tasks to the checklist.

Gutter cleaning and inspection. Cleaning gutters safely is a chore to do in the spring and fall. Gutters get clogged with leaves, tree limbs, bird droppings, and flying debris from windy days.

Home foundation inspection. Check out the base of the house—look for water damage, cracks, bulging, and buckling. A shifting foundation and crumbling chimneys are jobs for masonry experts. While you’re at it, check out the patio and deck for rotten or warped wood, or cracked cement. Clean out all vents.

Exteriors. Check out the home’s exterior for anything that looks out of place. Vinyl or aluminum siding may get broken or cracked. Wooden trim may need a fresh coat of paint. Replace any damaged Hardie Plank pieces.

Lawn Equipment. Spruce up the mower by cleaning or changing the spark plugs, charging batteries, sharpening blades, replacing oil, inflating tires, and greasing up what needs to be greased. Keep it simple; find a go-to place for mower and yard care parts. Speaking of yard care, prune up the trees and shrubs near the house to keep them from damaging nearby windows and the roof. Test lawn sprinklers and replace holey hoses.

More Outdoor Tasks

Remove standing water to discourage mosquitoes and other insects from breeding. Dry areas that are prone to mold.

Look for termites; they are most active in the spring. If you find signs of termite infestation, it’s time to call a professional exterminator.

Get ready to fire up the grill! Check out all hoses, connections, and propane (if it’s a gas grill) to be sure there are no cracks or leaks. Scrub the racks.

No matter what time of year, putting off home maintenance projects could end up costing you big bucks later on. Set up that spring maintenance schedule today and start ticking off the projects. A little attention now could save some big expensive headaches down the road.

Photo By: Polina Tankilevitch

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Top 5 Home Maintenance Mistakes That Can Cost You Big

Spring 2025 Home Maintenance Checklist

ProParts Direct is your one-stop parts store for Lawn Mowers Parts, Chainsaw Parts, Engines Parts, Snow Blowers and all landscaping equipment parts.

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