Home Care Manual

Short how-to videos for the maintenance that keeps a Seattle-area home safe, efficient and in good shape for the day it sells. Brian Huie filmed most of them in real homes; each guide adds the steps, how often to do it, Seattle-specific notes and when to call a pro, with sources.

What to do and when

When	Guide
Monthly	How to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (Test every alarm monthly) How to replace a furnace filter (Change every 3 months; check monthly) How to clean mini split filters (Monthly; every 2 weeks in peak season) How to clean an air purifier (Monthly) How to descale and deep clean a dishwasher (At least yearly; best monthly)
Spring	Spring sprinkler activation and leak check (Check for leaks each spring) How to mulch and prep garden beds (Early spring or fall) Service your AC and furnace (Yearly tune-up (cooling in spring, heating in fall))
Fall	How to winterize a sprinkler system (Every fall, before lows reach freezing) Infrared scan for insulation leaks (Each fall, before winter) How to mulch and prep garden beds (Early spring or fall) Service your AC and furnace (Yearly tune-up (cooling in spring, heating in fall))
Every few months	How to deep clean a washing machine (Quarterly) Pest control around the house (Every 2 to 3 months) How to polish hardwood floors (Every 6 months) How to check a fire extinguisher (Check the gauge often; service yearly)
Every year or two	How to flush a tankless water heater (Every 18 to 24 months) How to soft wash house siding (Every 2 years)
Every 10 years	How to install a smart smoke detector (with air quality monitor) (Replace alarms every 10 years)

Schedules come from the manufacturers and agencies cited in each guide, or from Brian's own routine where noted. A specific model's manual comes first.

All guides

Pick a task below to watch the video and read the steps.