Kitchen water drying setup with air movers and a dehumidifier. A representative photo of the task, not a record of work at any particular property.
Month by month
Adjust the timing to your own trees, roof and basement; the point is to do each task before the season that tests it.
- January
- During cold snaps, open sink cabinets on outside walls and keep the basement heated. Check that the main shutoff turns.
- February
- Look at basement walls and floor edges for dampness during thaws. Test water alarms and replace batteries.
- March
- Prime season for heavy wet snow. Shovel snow out of window wells and away from the foundation before it melts.
- April
- Clear any spring debris from wells and the exterior stairwell drain. Test the sump pump if you have one.
- May
- Start irrigation carefully; check that heads near the house do not spray the foundation or window wells. Clean gutters before storm season.
- June
- Thunderstorm and hail season begins. Make sure downspout extensions are in place and the alley side of the garage is clear.
- July
- After big storms, check the basement within a day. Watch for musty smells from humid summer air on cool basement walls.
- August
- Inspect washer hoses and the water heater, and look under basement sinks and the wet bar.
- September
- Consider a sewer line cleaning or camera inspection if roots have been an issue; roots grow actively through the warm months.
- October
- Blow out irrigation lines and shut off and drain outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze.
- November
- Clear leaves from gutters, window wells and stairwell drains after the last leaves fall. Install well covers.
- December
- If traveling, set the heat at a safe level, consider shutting off the main, and ask someone to check the house.
Any time of year
- Keep stored items off the basement floor.
- Know where the main shutoff, breaker panel and gas meter are.
- Watch the water bill for unexplained increases that might point to a hidden leak.
- Keep your sewer scope footage and repair records in one folder.
Common questions
Why does a calendar matter more for an older house?
Older Wash Park homes tend to have more ways for water to get in at once: shallow wells, clay sewer pipe, aging gutters and basements finished long after the foundation was built. Regular small checks catch problems while they are still cheap and dry.
What if I only have time for one task a season?
In fall, clear leaves from gutters and window wells. In winter, protect pipes during cold snaps. In spring, get snow out of the wells. In summer, keep downspouts extended and drains clear before storms.
General information for Washington Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.