A Northwest Suburbs homeowner's seasonal maintenance checklist.

Freeze-thaw cycles in the Chicago area wear on caulking, gutters and seals over the winter. A few checks each season catch most of that early. This is the checklist we'd give a client.

Fall: before the freeze

• Clean gutters and downspouts so melting ice has somewhere to go this winter
• Check and refresh exterior caulking around windows, doors, and trim before it has to survive a freeze
• Shut off and drain exterior faucets and hose bibs
• Check weatherstripping on exterior doors for drafts

Winter: what to watch

• Watch for ice dams along the roofline, a sign that attic insulation or ventilation needs attention
• Note any new drafts around windows and doors for a spring repair
• Check exposed pipes in unheated spaces like garages or crawl spaces for adequate insulation

Spring: after the thaw

• Inspect exterior caulking and trim for winter damage, and replace cracked or missing sections before the next freeze
• Check exterior grading and drainage now that snow has melted and revealed low spots
• Clean gutters again after spring storms
• Check for interior drywall cracks or nail pops that appeared over winter

Summer: caulking, decks and filters

• Re-caulk and seal anything that started separating over the past year
• Inspect decks and patios for loose boards or railings before heavy summer use
• Replace HVAC filters on schedule; it's the easiest item to let slide

We run this same checklist for homeowners and for property managers with a standing maintenance schedule.