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Keeping up with home maintenance is easier when you have a schedule. Our technicians put together this month-by-month calendar based on what actually matters for Upstate SC homes — and what prevents the emergency calls we see most often.
January – February
Focus: Heating System & Freeze Protection
- Check air filter monthly (heating system runs hardest now)
- Verify carbon monoxide detectors are working
- Keep outdoor unit (heat pump) clear of ice and debris
- Know where your main water shut-off is in case of frozen pipe emergency
- If temperatures drop below 20°F: let faucets drip on exterior walls, open cabinet doors under sinks
March
Focus: Transition Season Prep
- Schedule spring AC tune-up (before the rush)
- Inspect outdoor faucets for winter damage — turn them on and check for leaks
- Test sump pump if applicable
- Replace smoke detector and CO detector batteries (if not hardwired)
- Clean dryer vent
April
Focus: Cooling System Startup
- Replace air filter
- Clear debris from outdoor AC/heat pump unit, trim vegetation to 2 feet clearance
- Test AC: run in cooling mode for 15-20 minutes, verify cold air from vents
- Pour vinegar down condensate drain line
- Check gutters and downspouts before spring storms
May
Focus: Plumbing & Outdoor Systems
- Flush water heater to remove sediment
- Inspect exposed pipes under sinks and in crawlspace for leaks
- Test all GFCI outlets (bathrooms, kitchen, garage, exterior)
- Inspect outdoor electrical outlets and covers
- Service irrigation system if applicable
June
Focus: Peak Cooling Preparation
- Check air filter (cooling season demands more frequent changes)
- Verify all supply and return vents are open and unobstructed
- Clean or rinse mini-split filters if applicable
- Check thermostat programming for summer schedule
- Inspect attic for proper ventilation (hot attic = harder-working AC)
July – August
Focus: Peak Usage Monitoring
- Check air filter monthly
- Pour vinegar down condensate drain line monthly
- Monitor energy bills for unusual increases (sign of system problems)
- Keep outdoor unit clean — rinse condenser coils if pollen/cottonwood buildup is visible
- Watch for signs of AC strain: longer run times, reduced cooling, ice on lines
September
Focus: Fall Transition
- Schedule fall heating tune-up
- Check weatherstripping on doors and windows
- Seal gaps around pipe and wire penetrations in exterior walls
- Test heating system before you need it: run in heating mode for 15 minutes
- Normal: slight burning smell when furnace first fires up (dust on heat exchanger). If smell persists beyond 30 minutes, call for service.
October
Focus: Freeze Preparation
- Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets
- Close interior shut-off valves to outdoor faucets (if equipped)
- Insulate exposed pipes in crawlspace, garage, and exterior walls
- Replace air filter
- Have the water heater inspected (anode rod check every 2-3 years)
November – December
Focus: Heating Season & Holiday Prep
- Check air filter monthly
- Verify all heating vents are open and unobstructed (furniture, rugs)
- Test carbon monoxide detectors
- Don’t overload electrical circuits with holiday lighting — use LED strings that draw less power
- Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near an outdoor gas line
- Exercise shut-off valves under sinks and toilets (turn off and back on once a year)
The Club Wally Shortcut
This calendar covers what you can do yourself. For the professional items — system tune-ups, electrical inspections, water heater service, and duct evaluation — Club Wally handles it. Two annual tune-ups (heating and cooling), priority scheduling, and discounted repairs. It’s the simplest way to stay on top of home maintenance without tracking it all yourself.
YOUTUBE EMBED: Got High Water Pressure? This One Valve Fixes It FAST — @YallCallWally
Call Waldrop Plumbing Air Electric at (864) 536-0887 to join Club Wally or schedule any of the services on this list.
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- Runnin’ Out of Hot Water → https://www.callwaldrop.com/blog/runnin-out-of-hot-water-lets-figure-it-out-with-wally-upstate-sc/
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- Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging → https://www.callwaldrop.com/blog/why-does-my-drain-keep-clogging/
