Adulting 101

The stuff nobody sat you down and taught you.

How often to do the recurring things, when they are due, and how to actually do them. Short answers first, real steps below, every cadence dated and sourced.

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How often to check your fire extinguisher

Visual check monthly

Give a home fire extinguisher a 30-second visual check every month, a professional service every year, and replace or retest it on schedule. Here is what to look for.

How often to clean your chimney

Inspect yearly

Have your chimney inspected at least once a year, and swept whenever creosote buildup reaches an eighth of an inch. Here is what a proper inspection covers.

How often to clean your dryer vent

Lint screen every load, duct yearly

Clear the lint screen every load and clean the full vent duct at least once a year. Lint buildup is a leading cause of home fires. Here is how to do it.

How often to clean your gutters

Twice a year, minimum

Clean your gutters at least twice a year, in late fall and early spring. More often if you have heavy tree cover. Here is how to do it safely.

How often to flush your water heater

About once a year

Flush a tank water heater about once a year, or every six months on hard water, and check the anode rod periodically. Here is how, and how to do it safely.

How often to re-caulk your shower

Every 1 to 2 years

Inspect shower and tub caulk yearly and re-caulk every one to two years, or at the first sign of cracks or mold. Here is how to get a clean, waterproof bead.

How often to replace your furnace filter

Every 1 to 3 months

Check your HVAC filter monthly and replace it at least every three months. Here is how to know when, and how to swap it in a couple of minutes.

How often to replace your refrigerator water filter

Every 6 months

Replace a refrigerator water filter about every six months, or sooner if flow drops or the water tastes off. Here is how, including the flush most people skip.

How often to service your HVAC system

Twice a year

Have your HVAC professionally serviced twice a year: cooling in spring, heating in fall. Here is what a good tune-up covers and how to prep for it.

How often to test smoke and CO detectors

Test monthly, replace every 10 years

Test every alarm monthly, change batteries yearly, and replace smoke alarms every 10 years. CO detectors usually need replacing sooner. Here is the full rhythm.

How often to test your sump pump

Test yearly, before wet season

Test your sump pump at least once a year, before the wet season, and clean the pit while you are at it. Here is the test that tells you it will actually run.

When to winterize outdoor faucets

Once a year, before first freeze

Winterize outdoor faucets once a year, before the first hard freeze. Disconnect the hoses and drain the lines. Here is the full sequence, including for frost-free spigots.