Home maintenance | JW-Design Center

The Homeowner's Handbook: Essential Annual Home Maintenance Checklist for First-Time Homeowners

Congratulations on becoming a first-time homeowner! You’ve secured your biggest investment, and now the real work—and reward—of ownership begins. Unlike renting, keeping your home in top shape falls entirely on you. Deferred maintenance is the single biggest threat to your property’s value and can lead to costly emergency repairs.

To help you protect your investment and maintain a safe, comfortable home, here is your essential annual home maintenance checklist, broken down into seasonal, actionable tasks.

1. Spring: The Post-Winter Thaw & Exterior Check

Spring is the time to recover from the harshness of winter and focus on your home’s envelope (roof, gutters, siding, and foundation).

Task Category	Action Item	Why It’s Essential
Roof & Gutters	Clean Gutters and Downspouts. Clear all leaves and debris. Check for leaks and ensure downspouts direct water at least 5-10 feet away from the foundation.	Prevents water from pooling, which can cause roof, siding,

Home maintenance

Shielding Your Sanctuary: How to Prevent Water Damage in a Basement During Heavy Rain

April 22, 2025September 30, 2025 - by Christian Harris

Heavy rain is the number one enemy of a dry basement. Water damage not only ruins stored possessions and finished living spaces but can also lead to costly structural repairs and unhealthy mold growth. Protecting your basement requires a multi-faceted approach, focusing on managing water outside your home and sealing vulnerabilities inside.

1. Exterior Water Diversion (First Line of Defense)

The most effective way to prevent basement flooding is to ensure rainwater never pools near your foundation.

A. Gutters and Downspouts

Clean Regularly: Clogged gutters are a primary cause of water damage, forcing water to spill over and pool right next to the foundation. Clean them at least twice a year.
Extend Downspouts: Downspouts must discharge water at least 5 to 10 feet away from the foundation. Use extensions or splash blocks to ensure runoff is directed to a sloped area of the lawn.

B. Proper Grading and Landscaping

Slope

Home maintenance

Your Seasonal Step-by-Step Guide to Gutter Cleaning and Inspection

March 20, 2025September 29, 2025 - by Christian Harris

Gutter maintenance is a critical, yet often overlooked, chore for homeowners. A clean and functional gutter system is essential for diverting water away from your home’s roof, fascia, walls, and foundation, preventing costly water damage, leaks, and even basement flooding.

While the ideal frequency for cleaning depends on your property’s surroundings (especially the number of nearby trees), a general rule is to perform a thorough cleaning and inspection at least twice a year: in the late spring and late fall.

Here is your comprehensive step-by-step guide for seasonal gutter cleaning and inspection.

Preparation: Safety and Tools

Before climbing the ladder, prioritize safety and gather all necessary equipment.

Safety First

Stable Ladder: Use a sturdy extension ladder that is tall enough to safely reach your gutters without overreaching. A ladder stabilizer or standoff arm is highly recommended to protect your gutters and increase stability.
Buddy System: Have someone spot the ladder

Home maintenance

Breathe Easier: Why a Monthly HVAC Filter Replacement Schedule is Key to Better Air Quality

February 18, 2025September 29, 2025 - by Christian Harris

Your home’s HVAC system is the lungs of your house, and the air filter is its first line of defense. While many homeowners follow a seasonal or quarterly replacement schedule, adopting a monthly HVAC filter replacement schedule—especially for standard 1-inch filters—is the single most effective, simple maintenance task you can perform to dramatically improve your indoor air quality and safeguard your entire heating and cooling system.

In a world where indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, a commitment to a 30-day filter change provides immediate and long-term benefits for your health, comfort, and wallet.

The Power of the Monthly Change: Improved Air Quality

The primary function of an air filter is to trap airborne contaminants. Over the course of a month, that filter becomes a highly effective, yet finite, repository for a surprising amount of particulate matter:

Allergen Reduction: A clean filter