We write here every quarter with suggestions for seasonal home maintenance ideas. We offered our summer home-maintenance tips just a few weeks ago.

But in this article, we are offering something a little different. We are instead giving you the opportunity to plan ahead a little bit by offering a checklist or calendar of things that should be done monthly, quarterly or annually, as well as things tied to specific seasons or times of the year.

Let’s start with monthly.

Test your GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets and AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupters) breakers. You test your GFCI outlets by pushing the test button. You should hear a pop sound, and power should no longer be running to the outlet. Then, just press the reset button. For the AFCI breaker, go to your electrical panel and press the test button. You should get the same result – a popping sound, and the breaker should no longer be supplying power. Reset the breaker by switching it off and then back on. Both of these make sure the GFCI outlets and AFCI breakers are operating correctly and increase their lifespan.

On a monthly basis, you can consider replacing your HVAC filter if you have a large family or many pets. Additionally, make sure your pool is properly maintained (this is a year-round activity in Florida) and test your sprinklers, even during the rainy season.

Moving on to quarterly, here are some suggestions.

Either quarterly or at least twice a year, replace your HVAC filter.  Check sinks and toilets for leaks to prevent water damage. Clear vegetation near your home to prevent water intrusion. Especially during hard rains, check for ceiling stains to find roof leaks. Clean out your gutters. Check exterior faucets for leaks. Oil garage door springs to improve their lifespan.

Have your HVAC system serviced twice a year – in the spring and fall.

Annually, you should replace your smoke detector batteries, check grout in the kitchen and bathroom to avoid water damage and give your house a serious, deep clean.

One last thing, because we do live in Florida, we have to think about hurricane season. There are things you should do to prepare for hurricane season and other things to do if a storm is approaching our area. We offered our hurricane preparedness tips last month. You can click here to review.

Sometimes thinking about all this for your home can be overwhelming. The idea here is to create a calendar so you can plan ahead, and just take care of the things that need your attention at the right time.