Annual Home Maintenance Checklist: Plumbing, Heating & Electrical

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

A few hours of maintenance each year can:

• Prevent emergency call-outs
• Catch problems before they're expensive
• Keep your home safe
• Maintain property value
• Reduce energy bills

Monthly Checks (5 Minutes)

Quick Visual Check

• Look under sinks for drips or damp
• Check toilet flush is working properly
• Look for damp patches on ceilings/walls
• Make sure all drains are running freely

Safety Checks

• Test smoke alarms (press test button)
• Test CO alarm if you have one
• Check boiler pressure gauge (should be 1-1.5 bar)

Seasonal Checks

Spring

• ☐ Check outside taps work after winter
• ☐ Clear leaves from gutters and drains
• ☐ Check for frost damage to pipes/taps
• ☐ Test outdoor power sockets
• ☐ Service air conditioning (if fitted)

Summer

• ☐ Book boiler service (beat the autumn rush)
• ☐ Check garden tap washers
• ☐ Inspect external drains are clear
• ☐ Clean shower heads (remove limescale)
• ☐ Check extractor fans working

Autumn

• ☐ Bleed all radiators
• ☐ Check boiler fires up correctly
• ☐ Lag exposed pipes for winter
• ☐ Clear gutters of autumn leaves
• ☐ Know where your stopcock is
• ☐ Check condensate pipe is clear

Winter

• ☐ Keep heating on low if away (frost protection)
• ☐ Know how to thaw frozen pipes
• ☐ Check loft insulation
• ☐ Insulate outdoor taps

Annual Professional Checks

Boiler Service (Essential)

When: Annually, ideally before winter

What's included:

• Safety and combustion checks
• Flue inspection
• Component testing
• Efficiency check
• Cleaning as needed

Cost: £60-£120

Why it matters: Maintains warranty, ensures safety, prevents breakdowns, keeps efficient.

Electrical Safety Check (Recommended)

When: Every 10 years (owner-occupied), 5 years (rental)

What's included:

• Full circuit testing
• Consumer unit check
• Socket and switch inspection
• Earthing verification

Cost: £150-£300

Drain Survey (If Issues)

When: If you have recurring blockages or suspect problems

What's included:

• CCTV camera inspection
• Full drain map
• Condition report

Cost: £100-£300

DIY Maintenance Tasks

Bleed Your Radiators

When: Start of heating season, or if radiators have cold spots at top

1. Turn off heating and let radiators cool
2. Place towel under radiator valve
3. Insert radiator key into bleed valve (top corner)
4. Turn anticlockwise until you hear hissing
5. When water appears, close the valve
6. Check boiler pressure (top up if below 1 bar)

Clean Shower Head

When: Every few months, or when flow reduces

1. Remove shower head if possible
2. Soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes
3. Scrub holes with old toothbrush
4. Rinse and reattach

Check Stopcock Works

When: Annually, and when you move in

1. Locate your stopcock (usually under kitchen sink)
2. Turn clockwise to close
3. Check water stops at taps
4. Turn anticlockwise to reopen
5. If stiff, turn back and forth gently to free it

Clear External Drains

When: Spring and Autumn

1. Lift drain covers carefully
2. Remove leaves and debris by hand (wear gloves)
3. Flush with hose or buckets of water
4. Replace covers securely

Your Home Maintenance Calendar

Month	Task
January	Check pipes in cold snaps, check boiler pressure
March	Spring clean drains, check outside taps
April	Book boiler service for May/June
June	Boiler service, clean shower heads
September	Bleed radiators, clear gutters
October	Test heating system, lag pipes
November	Check CO and smoke alarms
December	Know emergency procedures if going away

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