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Moving into your first house is an exciting time. There's plenty to keep you busy, whether it's cleaning, painting, or adding your own personality to your new home. Maintenance often gets left off the list. A home maintenance checklist can help you get ahead of those pesky but essential to-dos and set yourself up with a manageable home maintenance schedule.

Why does house maintenance matter?

At first, you might think that because the house is new to you, everything is in working order. Your home inspection flagged any significant items in need of repair before closing day. But now that you live in the house, you may find overlooked repairs or minor issues the inspection didn't catch.

Even if there are no glaring problems, it's a good practice to take care of small repairs while they're still small, and keep your home clean and protected so problems are less likely to develop. Skimping on house maintenance now can cost you more in the long run.

7 things to put on your home maintenance checklist after you move in

1) Look for safety issues. Every home should have working smoke detectors on each level, plus carbon monoxide detectors in the basement and at floor level on each story.

2) Review your home inspection report. Double-check the report and review any repairs completed by contractors. Make a note to revisit any items again as needed. For example, if the inspection flagged the water heater as close to the end of its useful life, do proper short-term maintenance but start saving for a new one as well.

3) Check the furnace and A/C. Air filters should be replaced every six months to keep small particles from recirculating through the house. If any family members have indoor allergies, consider installing HEPA filters to clean the air of even the smallest irritants. You may also want to change filters monthly instead of every six months to help alleviate symptoms.

4) Check interior and exterior stair railings. Handrails are usually checked during an inspection, but the inspector may not tug on them the way a child would or like an adult slipping on a step. Give your railings a good shake and secure them if they are wobbly. Keep checking them on a regular basis to make sure they're safe.

5) Test light switches. An inspector may overlook light switches, especially if there are a lot of them. If you hear sparking or sizzling sounds from a switch, this means it's failing and should be replaced before it throws a dangerous spark.

6) Make sure appliances work. Give every appliance a good test to ensure it's in working order: put together your first meal, fill the ice maker, and throw in a load of clothes to wash. Track down owner's manuals, which may be hidden in a drawer; many are also available online. Modern appliances often have filters, gaskets, or tanks that need to be cleaned to keep them working properly.

7) Run the water. Your inspector should have turned on every faucet inside and outside the house to check for plumbing problems. Because plumbing fixtures have small parts like o-rings and pressure connections that hold pipes together, they can fail spontaneously. Run a good amount of water and watch the piping underneath for leaks. Water can cause a lot of damage, but you can keep it minimal if you catch it early.

Now that you've done an initial check of your home's systems and safety, it's a good idea to understand what your home warranty covers.

What does a home warranty cover and how does it work?

You can purchase a to cover all of your home's main systems, such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Most warranties also include the roof and windows. Or you can purchase a warranty that covers only listed appliances. If you have a warranty, look at the paperwork to see what it covers.

When a system or appliance that's covered by your home warranty breaks down due to wear and tear, your warranty allows for repair or replacement at a fraction of the cost. You just call the home warranty company, who schedules an appointment with a contractor to do the work. You typically only pay for the service fee, or sometimes a deductible. Find out the differences between a home warranty and home insurance.

Regardless of whether you have a home warranty or not, you'll still need to care for your home. Most warranties won't cover repair or replacement if the problem was caused by lack of maintenance.

Seasonal maintenance in your home and yard

Both the exterior and interior of your home will benefit from seasonal cleaning and should be on your home maintenance checklist. You can take care of these tasks easily over a few weekends, often in just a couple of hours for each one. This investment of time and energy will prevent larger problems and keep your house clean and safe.

Fall property maintenance

• Drain and winterize exterior plumbing. Drain and store hoses, and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
• Wrap insulation around pipes in unheated garages or connected to outdoor faucets.
• Remove leaves and other debris from downspouts and gutters.
• Check windows and doors for gaps or cracks. Caulk or add a weather strip as needed or replace it.
• Clean window and door screens.
• Fix squeaky exterior door handles and loose locks.
• Replace batteries in all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Clean the carpets.
• Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
• Check for frayed cords and wires on lamps and other appliances, especially if the cord is usually tucked out of sight.
• Check the water heater for leaks.
• Power-wash windows and siding.
• Repaint any chipped exterior siding.
• Repair or replace siding as needed.
• Inspect the roof for damaged, loose, or missing shingles and leaks.
• Repair gaps and cracks in the driveway, walkway, and foundation.
• Schedule a professional to inspect your HVAC in late summer or early fall before you need to turn on the furnace regularly.
• Schedule a professional fireplace inspection to check for hazards and clean the fireplace flues.

Winter property maintenance

• Cover your air conditioning unit.
• Inspect the downspouts, gutters, and roof for damage after any large storms.
• Check the basement for leaks during thaws.
• Vacuum the grill where the bathroom exhaust fan vents to the outdoors.
• Vacuum freezer and refrigerator coils and empty and clean drip trays.
• Clean drains in tubs, sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.

Spring property maintenance

• Remove debris and leaves from downspouts and gutters.
• Replace or repair caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanical lines coming into the house.
• Remove winter insulation from outdoor faucets and check sprinkler heads.
• Fertilize your lawn.
• Polish wood furniture and dust light fixtures.
• Replace the batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Inspect caulking around the bath, sinks, and showers; repair any deterioration.
• Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
• Drain or flush the water heater.
• Inspect the roof for damaged, loose, or missing shingles and leaks.
• Inspect chimney for damage.
• Power wash siding and windows. Clean window interiors and door screens.
• Refinish the deck.
• Change filters on air conditioning units, and schedule a system service call.
• Schedule a professional inspection for the septic tank (if you have one) and have it pumped.

Summer property maintenance

• Prune trees and shrubs.
• Remove dryer lint from the outside and inside of the hoses and dryer vents.
• Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
• Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter.
• Check around the base of bathroom cabinets and toilets for leaks.
• Check interior and exterior faucet and showerhead washers and replace them if needed.
• Seal tile grout for floors, countertops, and backsplash.
• Oil the garage-door chain, door hinges, and garage door wheels.

Modify this list as needed to create a home maintenance checklist that makes sense for your home and location. Different climate zones bring different seasonal demands.

When you make a regular commitment to maintaining your home in good condition, you head off expensive surprises. Regular maintenance also keeps your investment ready to sell when the time comes. Most importantly, it allows you to enjoy your home while you live there and make the house truly a home.