Along the Wasatch Front, the jobs that matter most are timed to the freeze: blow out the sprinklers and winterize a swamp cooler before the first hard freeze, typically mid-October; service the furnace in fall and the air conditioner in spring; change the furnace filter every 1 to 3 months; flush a tank water heater once a year; and test for radon, which is elevated in many parts of Utah.
Seasonal dates are typical for the Wasatch Front, not a promise: the weather varies year to year. Where a task applies only to some homes, it says so.
January
- Test for radon. Utah has elevated radon in many areas and a test is the only way to know. Test the lowest lived-in level with windows closed; retest every two years or after a remodel. You can do it Utah DEQ: testing your home for radon Add to my calendar
- Change the furnace filter (if your home has forced-air heating or central air). Every 1 to 3 months, more often with pets, allergies or heavy use. A clean filter keeps air moving and the system lasting. You can do it Add to my calendar
February
- Flush the water heater (if you have a tank water heater). Draining a few gallons once a year clears the sediment that hard water leaves, so the tank heats better and lasts longer. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Descale the tankless water heater (if you have a tankless water heater). Once a year, flushing out mineral scale from hard water keeps the hot water steady and the unit efficient. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
March
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When the clocks change, press each test button and change batteries as needed. Replace any alarm more than 10 years old. You can do it Add to my calendar
- Check window wells and drainage (if your home has a basement). Before the spring snowmelt, clear window wells and make sure downspouts and soil send water away from the foundation. You can do it Add to my calendar
April
- Change the furnace filter (if your home has forced-air heating or central air). Every 1 to 3 months, more often with pets, allergies or heavy use. A clean filter keeps air moving and the system lasting. You can do it Add to my calendar
- Before sanding or scraping paint, test for lead (if your home was built before 1978). Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. Use a certified lead-safe contractor for spring projects that disturb it. Call a pro EPA: sources of lead in the home Add to my calendar
- Check the roof after winter. From the ground or with binoculars, look for missing or lifted shingles and damaged flashing after the snow and wind. You can do it Add to my calendar
- Service the air conditioner (if you have central air or a heat pump). A spring tune-up and a clean outdoor unit before the first hot spell, when service calls are easier to book. Call a pro Add to my calendar
May
- Start up the sprinklers (if you have a sprinkler system). Typically in May along the Wasatch Front, once nights stay above freezing. Check for broken heads and leaks as each zone runs. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Start up the swamp cooler (if you have a swamp cooler). Fit new or cleaned pads, check the pump and float, and reconnect the water line once freezing nights are past. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Open the pool (if you have a pool). Remove the cover, refill, start the pump and filter, and balance the water before swim season. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
June
- Check exterior caulk, paint and the deck. Dry summers and winter freezes crack caulk and peel paint. Reseal around windows and doors before small gaps let water in. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
July
- Change the furnace filter (if your home has forced-air heating or central air). Every 1 to 3 months, more often with pets, allergies or heavy use. A clean filter keeps air moving and the system lasting. You can do it Add to my calendar
August
- Clean the dryer vent. Lint in the vent line is a fire risk and makes drying slow. Clean the whole run once a year. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
September
- Have the chimney swept and inspected (if you have a wood-burning fireplace). Once a year, before the first fire, so creosote build-up and blockages are found. Call a pro Add to my calendar
- Service the gas fireplace (if you have a gas fireplace). A yearly check of the burner, pilot, glass and venting before the cold season. Call a pro Add to my calendar
- Service the furnace (if your home has a furnace, boiler or heat pump). A fall tune-up before the cold: safety checks on the burners and venting, and fewer surprise breakdowns in January. Call a pro Add to my calendar
- Close and winterize the pool (if you have a pool). Before the first freeze: lower the water, blow out the lines, add winter chemicals and cover it. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
October
- Change the furnace filter (if your home has forced-air heating or central air). Every 1 to 3 months, more often with pets, allergies or heavy use. A clean filter keeps air moving and the system lasting. You can do it Add to my calendar
- Check the roof before the snow (if the roof is 10 years old or more). An older roof is worth a second look each fall. Small repairs now prevent leaks under a winter of snow. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Winterize the swamp cooler (if you have a swamp cooler). Before the first hard freeze: shut off and drain the water line, drain the pan, and cover the cooler or close its vent. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Blow out the sprinklers (if you have a sprinkler system). Before the first hard freeze, typically mid-October along the Wasatch Front (it varies year to year). Blowing out the lines keeps pipes and the backflow valve from cracking. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Get the spa ready for freezing nights (if you have a spa or hot tub). Keep it running and covered all winter, or drain it fully and blow out the lines. A frozen spa pipe is costly. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
- Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor faucets. Water left in a hose can freeze back into the faucet and split the pipe inside the wall. You can do it Add to my calendar
November
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When the clocks change, press each test button and change batteries as needed. Replace any alarm more than 10 years old. You can do it Add to my calendar
- Clean the gutters. Once the leaves are down, so snowmelt can drain and ice dams are less likely. DIY or a pro Add to my calendar
December
- Keep furnace and water heater vents clear of snow (if you have a gas furnace). High-efficiency furnaces often vent out a side wall. A vent blocked by drifting snow can shut the furnace off. You can do it Add to my calendar
Your home, looked after all year
Not sure a job applies to your home? Ask Randi K, and we will tell you plainly.
Radon in Utah
Radon is an invisible, odorless gas from the ground, and many areas of Utah have elevated levels. A test is the only way to know. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality's radon program explains how to test, offers low-cost test kits and lists certified mitigation contractors. Utah DEQ radon program
Questions homeowners ask
When should I blow out my sprinklers in Utah?
Before the first hard freeze. Along the Wasatch Front that is typically mid-October, but the weather varies year to year; many companies book up in early October, so schedule ahead.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
Every 1 to 3 months. Change it more often with pets, allergies, or when the system runs hard in winter or summer.
Should I test my Utah home for radon?
Yes. Many areas of Utah have elevated radon and a test is the only way to know. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality explains how to test and offers low-cost test kits.
When do I winterize a swamp cooler?
In October, before the first hard freeze: shut off and drain the water line, drain the pan, and cover the cooler or close its vent.
How often should a roof be checked?
Every spring after the snow, and every fall too once the roof is 10 years old or more. A roof over 20 years old is worth a professional look.
Get a schedule for your own home
Bought or sold with Randi K? Sign in to My Home, answer a few questions about your home, and get your own dated schedule for the next 12 months, with a calendar file for each task and a monthly email if you want one.
