New Home Maintenance Checklist, Season by Season

Check HVAC filters monthly, service the heating and cooling before each season, keep gutters and drainage working, and look over caulk, grading and the exterior every spring and fall. Keeping up with maintenance protects both the house and your warranty, since warranties generally don't cover damage from neglect.

What voids a builder's warranty?

Every warranty is different, so read yours. Common reasons a claim gets denied or coverage is lost:

• Neglect. Damage from skipped maintenance, like a clogged condensate line or gutters left full.
• Changes to grading or drainage. Building beds against the foundation or blocking swales.
• Alterations by someone else. Work by your own contractor on a covered system can affect coverage for that item.
• Missing the deadline. Reporting after a coverage period ends.
• Not following the claim process. The FTC recommends putting warranty requests in writing and keeping records.

The FTC also notes that builder warranties commonly exclude household appliances, small cracks in drywall, tile or concrete, and items covered by a manufacturer's warranty.

Every month

• Check the HVAC filter. ENERGY STAR recommends inspecting, cleaning or changing it about once a month.
• Run water in unused sinks and showers so drain traps don't dry out.
• Test GFCI outlets with their test button.

Spring

• Schedule a cooling tune-up. ENERGY STAR suggests booking it in spring, before contractors get busy.
• Clean gutters and check that downspouts carry water away from the house.
• Walk the outside: siding, trim, caulk around windows and doors.
• Check the grade. The ground should slope away from the foundation.
• Clear plants and debris from around the outdoor HVAC unit.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Summer

• Keep the condensate line clear so the AC drains properly.
• Watch for standing water in the yard after storms.
• Check that the irrigation, if you have it, isn't spraying the house.

Fall

• Schedule a heating tune-up. ENERGY STAR suggests fall, before winter demand.
• Clean gutters again after leaves drop.
• Disconnect hoses and protect outdoor faucets before freezing weather.
• Check caulk and weatherstripping before it gets cold.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Winter

• Watch for condensation on windows, a sign of high indoor humidity.
• Keep an eye on drywall cracks. Small ones that open in dry winter air are normal in a new home.
• Know where your main water shutoff is in case a pipe freezes.

Keep a home log

A simple notebook or note on your phone: date, what you did, who did it, and receipts. It helps with warranty claims and adds confidence when you sell.

Who's writing this. I sell new homes for D.R. Horton at Collins Ridge in Hillsborough, so I represent the builder, not you. This guide is general education from my years on job sites and in sales. It isn't legal, tax or lending advice, and it doesn't describe any specific home, price or incentive. Check the sources linked below, and talk with your own lender, agent or attorney before you decide.