3R Plumbing & Mechanical · Veteran-Owned · Norwell, MA · MA Master Plumber PL17071-M
Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist
The simple things South Shore homeowners can do each season — and the things worth leaving to us.
An hour a season saves thousands in emergencies. Most no-heat calls in January and no-AC calls in July trace back to small things that were catchable months earlier. Work through the list for the season ahead, check items off as you go, and print a copy for the utility room.
Pick Your Season
Cooling System
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Replace or wash your air filtersCentral systems: check monthly in cooling season, replace at least every 90 days (1″ filters more often). Ductless: pop the front cover and rinse the mesh filters — takes 5 minutes per head.
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Clear around the outdoor unitTrim plants and grass back at least 2 feet on all sides. Gently rinse leaves, pollen, and cottonwood fluff off the coil fins with a garden hose (no pressure washer).
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Test the AC before the first heat waveRun it on a mild day. Weak airflow, warm air, ice on the lines, or new noises? Call before July when everyone else does.
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Check the condensate drainLook for water around the indoor unit or a drain pan filling up — a clogged condensate line is a top cause of summer water damage and system shutdowns.
Plumbing
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Test your sump pumpPour a bucket of water into the pit — the pump should kick on, drain it, and shut off. Do it before spring rains, not during them.
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Turn outdoor spigots back on & check for winter damageOpen the inside shut-off, then watch the wall/ceiling below the spigot the first time you run a hose — a pipe that froze over winter often only leaks under pressure.
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Look under every sink60 seconds with a flashlight: stains, drips, corrosion on the supply lines and traps. Braided supply hoses over 10 years old are worth replacing before they fail.
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Check washing machine hosesBulging, cracking, or rusty ends = replace. A burst washer hose floods a house fast.
Whole Home
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Test smoke & CO detectors, replace batteriesEvery level of the house, and CO detectors near sleeping areas — Massachusetts requires both.
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Know your shut-offsNew here? Walk our Emergency Shut-Off Guide once so everyone in the house can kill the water, gas, and heat in under a minute.
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Heating System
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Replace air filters before the season startsA clogged filter is the #1 preventable cause of no-heat calls and cracked heat exchangers working too hard.
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Test the heat on the first cool daySet the thermostat 5° above room temp and let it run a full cycle. Odd smells for the first 20 minutes (dust burn-off) are normal; anything longer isn’t.
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Check that vents and baseboards are clearFurniture, rugs, and curtains blocking supply vents or baseboard fins make rooms cold and equipment work harder.
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Heat pump owners: clear the outdoor unit’s drainageCold-climate heat pumps shed defrost water all winter — make sure the unit is elevated, level, and nothing blocks drainage underneath. Never chip ice off the coil.
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Check your fuel supply arrangementsOil or propane customers: confirm automatic delivery is active before the first cold snap.
Plumbing & Freeze Protection
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Shut off & drain outdoor spigotsClose the interior shut-off valve, then open the outdoor faucet to drain it. Disconnect and store hoses — a connected hose is how frost-free spigots still freeze.
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Protect pipes in cold spotsGarages, crawlspaces, and pipes on exterior walls. Keep garage doors closed in deep cold; open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls during cold snaps.
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Test your sump pump before the ground freezesAnd check the discharge line outside — a frozen discharge line in January burns the pump out exactly when melting snow needs it.
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Going away? Never shut the heat offKeep the house at 55°F minimum, shut off the main water, and have someone check the house. Ask us about winterization for seasonal homes.
Whole Home
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Test smoke & CO detectors, replace batteriesHeating season is CO season — this one is non-negotiable.
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Locate your heating emergency switchThe red switch at the top of the basement stairs. Know it before you need it — and check it first if the heat mysteriously won’t start.
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Checkmarks reset when the page reloads — they’re for working through the list in one pass. Print your season’s list and stick it on the utility room door.
Leave These to the Pros
Not homeowner jobs — these need training, tools, and a license:
Annual heating tune-up — combustion analysis, heat exchanger inspection, safety controls, and CO testing on gas/oil equipment
Annual AC / heat pump maintenance — refrigerant charge verification, electrical testing, coil cleaning beyond a gentle rinse
Anything behind an equipment panel — capacitors hold a charge even with power off
Gas piping, venting, or anything that smells like gas
Water heater maintenance — anode rod checks, tank flushing, and T&P valve testing done wrong cause more problems than they solve
Our maintenance membership takes the entire “pros” list off your plate — and keeps your equipment warranties valid, since most manufacturers require documented professional maintenance.
Scheduled seasonal tune-ups on your heating and cooling equipment — we call you, you don’t have to remember
Priority scheduling when you need service, ahead of the seasonal rush
Member discounts on repairs
Full maintenance documentation for your warranty records
This checklist is general seasonal guidance for typical South Shore homes and is provided for informational purposes only. Homes, equipment, and conditions vary; items on this list may not apply to your home, and your home may need care not listed here. This page is not professional advice for your specific property and is not a substitute for professional inspection or maintenance.
Homeowner-performed tasks
Tasks you perform yourself are at your own risk. Do not open sealed equipment panels, work on gas piping or venting, handle refrigerant, or perform electrical work — these require licensed, trained professionals. If any task is beyond your comfort or ability, stop and call a professional. 3R Plumbing & Mechanical LLC is not responsible for damage or injury resulting from homeowner-performed maintenance.
Warranties
Most equipment manufacturers require documented, regular professional maintenance to keep warranty coverage valid. Homeowner tasks on this list do not satisfy those requirements. Refer to your equipment’s warranty terms.
Membership
Maintenance membership benefits, pricing, and terms are as stated in the current membership agreement and are subject to change. Ask our office for current details.
