While home maintenance can be seen as dull and routine, you may be motivated by the fact that well-maintained home retains a higher value than one which isn’t. Exteriors should be repainted every 5 to 10 years; depending on factors such as the weather, exterior wood damage can result. The roof and gutters need annual inspections. Water is a home’s worst enemy and a clogged or damaged gutters and drain spouts can flood the area and cause serious damage.

And the list goes on. Like taxes and dental checkups, regular home maintenance isn’t fun. But properly done, it can add value to what is likely your biggest single asset — your home.

Here’s a partial annual checklist home maintenance checklist:

• Kitchen: Check for leaks under and around the sink. Plumbing leaks can damage cabinetry and floors. Check and repair grout and caulking on tile countertops and around the sink. Also check wear and tear on wood floors, which periodically need to be refinished.
• Bathrooms: Check for plumbing leaks and check grout on tiles. Whether in the shower, sink or other areas, if the grout gets worn away water will start getting into the walls behind the surfaces, causing damage.
• Attic: Check for signs of water leakage from the roof. Also look for any sign of termites or rodents. Squirrels or rats that nest in your attic can chew electrical wiring, which can lead to fires.
• Smoke alarms: Batteries need to be changed annually.
• Heating and air conditioning system: Change all filters monthly or as recommended by the filter manufacturer. Annual checkups by a licensed HVAC professional can save heartache when the temperature is 100 or above.
• Roof: Note if any shingles have fallen off or if gutters or downspouts appear clogged or damaged. You can always hire a reliable roofing company to get on the roof and take a look. Reputable roofing companies won’t try to sell you a new one unless you really need it. You can simply pay them for an inspection.
• House exterior: If your house is wood, check that the paint hasn’t worn away so much that the primer paint is showing. If the primer also wears down, you can do damage to the wood. Brick facing and trim—and masonry fireplaces—should be inspected for damaged bricks or masonry. Check stucco houses and repair any cracks large enough to slide a nickel into.
• Asphalt and concrete driveways: Repair any cracks or buckling.

Keep up the regular maintenance on your home, and you’ll find it will pay off.