Michigan Home Maintenance Calendar: What to Do Each Season

By Eric Meldrum, Tru Living Group at Real Broker, LLC · Updated October 2026

Here's the thing about moving to Michigan from a warmer state: the house itself isn't harder to own, but the calendar matters more. A sprinkler blowout in October costs far less than a cracked line in April. Here's a season-by-season list worth keeping on the fridge.

Spring (March to May)

• Test the sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump kicks on and drains. Spring thaw and rain are when basements take on water. A battery backup is worth it.
• Clean the gutters and check the downspouts. Water should land at least a few feet from the foundation. Add extensions where it doesn't.
• Walk the foundation and grading. Soil should slope away from the house. Fill low spots before summer storms.
• Check the roof after winter. Look for missing or lifted shingles and damage from ice dams.
• Turn on outdoor faucets and start up the sprinklers once overnight freezes are over, usually by mid-May. Check for leaks and broken heads.
• Service the air conditioner before the first hot week, and change the furnace filter.
• Lake homes: put the dock and boat lift in once the ice is out and the water level settles.

Summer (June to August)

• Seal or stain the deck every few years, and check railings and stairs.
• Caulk windows and doors where the old caulk has cracked or pulled away.
• Trim trees and shrubs away from the roof, siding and power lines before fall storms.
• Seal the driveway if it's asphalt and showing cracks.
• Call MISS DIG 811 before you dig. Michigan law requires it for fence posts, decks and landscaping, and it's free.
• Check the dehumidifier. Michigan basements get damp in summer. Keeping humidity around 50% helps prevent musty smells and mold.

Fall (September to November)

• Blow out the sprinkler system before the first hard freeze, usually by late October. Book early, because companies fill up fast.
• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, and disconnect garden hoses. Frost-free spigots still need the hose removed.
• Service the furnace and replace the filter. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors while you're at it.
• Clean the gutters again after the leaves drop.
• Check the fireplace and chimney before your first fire of the season.
• Get snow gear ready: service the snowblower, buy ice melt and set aside a shovel by each door.
• Lake homes: pull the dock, boat lift and boat before the lake starts to freeze.

Winter (December to February)

• Watch for ice dams. Large icicles along the roof edge are a sign that heat is escaping into the attic. A roof rake helps, and better attic insulation and ventilation fix the cause.
• Keep the furnace vents clear. On high-efficiency furnaces, the intake and exhaust pipes on the side of the house can get buried by snow drifts.
• Don't let pipes freeze. Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even when you travel, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps.
• Change the furnace filter every one to three months, depending on the filter.
• Run the humidifier if the furnace has one. Winter air gets very dry.
• Clear snow from around the meter, dryer vent and fire hydrant near your home.

Once a year, no matter the season

• Test for radon. Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recommends testing every home, and test kits cost very little. If your levels are high, a mitigation system is a common fix.
• Flush the water heater to clear sediment.
• Replace smoke and CO detector batteries, and replace the detectors themselves when they reach the end of their life.
• Review your homeowners insurance and make sure the coverage still matches what it would cost to rebuild.

If your home has a well and septic system

Many homes outside the city limits in Livingston and Washtenaw County run on a private well and septic system. If yours does:

• Test your well water once a year. Your county health department can tell you what to test for and where.
• Have the septic tank pumped every three to five years, depending on household size and tank size.
• Keep heavy vehicles off the drain field, and don't plant trees on top of it.
• Know where everything is. Ask the seller or the county for the location of the tank, the drain field and the well.

If your home is on a lake

• Put in and pull out the dock and lift each year, as covered above.
• Check the seawall or shoreline every spring for erosion or movement.
• Before you change the shoreline, build a seawall or add a permanent dock, check with your township and with EGLE. Work at or below the water's edge often needs a permit.
• Know your lake association's rules and your lake's all-sports or no-wake rules.

Money dates to put on the calendar

• Property taxes come in two bills. Most Michigan homeowners get a summer tax bill in July and a winter tax bill in December. If your taxes are paid through your mortgage escrow, your lender pays them, but you should still check that they did.
• File your Principal Residence Exemption. If you live in the home, you need a Principal Residence Exemption affidavit on file to avoid paying school operating taxes as if it were a second home. The filing deadlines are June 1 and November 1. If you just bought, file it as soon as you move in.

Questions homeowners ask us

When should I blow out my sprinklers in Michigan?

Before the first hard freeze, which in southeast Michigan usually means by late October. If overnight lows are heading into the 20s, don't wait.

How often should I test my sump pump?

At least once a year in early spring, and again before any big storm if you've had water in the basement before. Pumps typically last around 7 to 10 years.

Do I need to test my Michigan home for radon?

Yes. EGLE recommends testing every home, and Michigan homes can have elevated radon levels even in the same neighborhood as homes that test low. A short-term test kit is an inexpensive first step.