12-Month Home Maintenance Calendar: Plan Your Home Year Without Getting Overwhelmed

Most home maintenance fails for one reason: it lives in your head, not on a calendar.

This week’s theme is plan your home year. Not with a massive remodel fantasy. With a simple home maintenance calendar that keeps small issues from turning into expensive ones.

The neighborhood move: pick one monthly task, then start a Pigybak Ride and invite 2 neighbors. When a pro can do similar work on the same street, schedules run tighter, and everyone gets more “done.”

Quick start: the 20-minute Home Year Setup

1. Make three lists: Now (safety + water), Next (comfort + efficiency), Later (cosmetic).
2. Choose one task per month. Twelve wins beats one chaotic weekend.
3. Build your list in one place: use a Pigybak home wishlist so you can batch similar work with neighbors when it makes sense.
4. Start a Ride: invite 2 neighbors and ask, “Anyone doing this in the next 30 days?”

Why this matters for energy and comfort: the U.S. Department of Energy says air sealing (caulking and weatherstripping) can offer quick returns, often a year or less. ENERGY STAR notes sealing and insulating can help many homes save up to about 10% on annual energy bills. (Yes, small fixes can actually move the needle.)

• DOE: Air Sealing Your Home
• DOE: Weatherstripping
• ENERGY STAR: Seal and Insulate

The 12-Month Home Maintenance Calendar

This calendar is designed to be realistic. One main task per month, plus one optional neighbor-batch idea.

January: Stop heat leaks and water surprises

• Do a draft walk: doors, windows, attic hatch. Add weatherstripping where needed.
• Check under sinks for slow leaks and moisture.
• Neighbor-batch idea: door sweeps, weatherstripping, and “draft fixes” on one street.

Start a Ride: Start a Pigybak Ride and invite 2 neighbors who also want comfort upgrades this month.

February: Plumbing prevention month

• Check caulk in wet areas (tub, shower, sinks) and refresh where cracking shows.
• Look for toilet wobble and address early before flooring suffers.
• Neighbor-batch idea: small plumbing tune-ups and fixture checks.

March: Spring water management prep

• Inspect gutters and downspouts. Make sure water is moving away from the foundation.
• Scan exterior for gaps where critters and water get in.
• Neighbor-batch idea: gutter cleanouts for a cluster of homes.

April: HVAC readiness and airflow

• Replace or clean HVAC filters (check your system guidance).
• Clear supply and return vents so airflow is not blocked.
• Neighbor-batch idea: tune-ups or filter drops for the block.

May: Exterior entry points

• Inspect window and door trim for gaps, failing caulk, or early rot.
• Fix small gaps now to avoid bigger repairs later.
• Neighbor-batch idea: exterior caulk and seal day.

June: Deck, steps, and safety sweep

• Tighten railings, check steps, and address trip hazards.
• Look for loose pavers or settling walkways.
• Neighbor-batch idea: handrail and step stabilization on one route.

July: Attic and insulation check-in

• Look for obvious attic air leaks, open penetrations, and insulation gaps.
• Consider a pro assessment if you suspect bigger efficiency issues.
• Neighbor-batch idea: attic air sealing consults in the same area.

More guidance: ENERGY STAR’s seal and insulate resources include DIY steps and prioritization.

ENERGY STAR: Seal and Insulate

August: Bathroom and kitchen moisture control

• Confirm bath fans vent to the outside.
• Address recurring condensation and slow leaks before mold and material damage.
• Neighbor-batch idea: fan replacements or ventilation checks.

September: Roof and flashing scan

• Look for missing shingles, flashing issues, or early signs of water intrusion.
• Check attic for staining after heavy rain.
• Neighbor-batch idea: shared roof inspection route.

October: Heating season readiness

• Schedule your heating check before peak demand.
• Replace filters, clear vents, and confirm thermostats behave.
• Neighbor-batch idea: “heating readiness” windows for multiple homes.

November: Weatherize for winter comfort

• Refresh weatherstripping and seal visible air leaks.
• Protect hose bibs and exposed pipes where needed.
• Neighbor-batch idea: weatherization day for the street.

DOE guidance: Weatherstripping and Air sealing.

December: The prevention block

• Choose one “60-minute prevention block” and do it before the holidays.
• Examples: draft sweep, sink leak check, caulk refresh, or safety scan.
• Neighbor-batch idea: small fixes route before year-end.

Homeowner community tip: rally neighbors, split costs, build trust

This is how you turn “I should do this” into “we did it.”

1. Pick a category: drafts, gutters, tune-ups, small plumbing, ventilation.
2. Keep the invite low-pressure: “I’m planning this in the next 30 days. Anyone else?”
3. Coordinate together, pay separately: everyone gets their own invoice.
4. Share the outcome: one photo and one tip builds trust fast.
5. Start a Ride: Start a Pigybak Ride and invite 2 neighbors.

Want the bigger “why Pigybak” breakdown? Here’s how Pigybak supports neighbor-powered scheduling and savings: Neighborhood Home Services Savings.

Trust builder: avoid contractor scams

Most people do not get scammed because they are careless. They get scammed because they are rushed.

The FTC recommends watching for high-pressure tactics, vague contracts, and payment demands that do not match the job. Bookmark this and share it with your block:

FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam

Contractors: want more neighborhood-ready work?

If you’re a contractor, Pigybak is built to help you run tighter routes and smoother schedules, without chasing random leads.

• Learn the platform: Contractors on Pigybak
• How scheduling works: Contractor Scheduling App

Next steps

1. Pick this month’s task from the calendar.
2. Add it to your home wishlist so it does not disappear into “later.”
3. Start a Pigybak Ride and invite 2 neighbors.
4. Do one small thing. Build trust. Repeat monthly.

Fine. I’ll Pigybak it.