South OC Home Maintenance Calendar: Month by Month Checklist

White stucco Southern California home with palm trees

Your South OC home care calendar

Southern California homes run on their own calendar: a short rainy season, a long dry one, Santa Ana winds, termites, and the occasional earthquake. Here’s what to do each month to protect your home and what it’s worth. Bookmark this page or add the reminders to your calendar.

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This month in South OC

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Month by month

January

Clean gutters and downspouts after big storms, and make sure water drains away from the house.
After a heavy rain, check ceilings, the attic, and around windows for new water stains.
Coastal homes: winter king tides push water higher than usual. Check drains and low spots.
Review your homeowner’s insurance renewal and update a photo or video inventory of your belongings.
Property tax: the second installment is due February 1 (late after April 10).

February

Bought a home last year? File the Homeowners’ Exemption with the Orange County Assessor. It’s a one-time filing that lowers your tax bill.
Prune roses and dormant fruit trees.
Check window and door weatherstripping while it’s still cool.
Test the garage door, including the auto-reverse, and lubricate the tracks.

March

Daylight saving time starts: test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Subterranean termites swarm on warm days after spring rains. Watch for discarded wings near windows and doors.
As the rains wind down, restart or adjust your irrigation timer and check sprinkler heads for leaks and overspray.

April

Property tax: the second installment must be paid by April 10.
Get ahead of fire season: cut weeds and dry grass before they turn brown.
Clean the dryer vent all the way to the outside.
Inspect decks, fences, and stucco for cracks or wood rot.

May

Schedule AC service before the summer heat and replace the HVAC filter.
Clear dead plants, leaves, and anything flammable within 5 feet of the house.
Dump standing water in pots, saucers, and toys to cut down on mosquitoes.
Check window screens and repair tears.

June

Water early in the morning and set your controller to the summer schedule your water district recommends.
Clear leaves and pine needles off the roof and out of gutters. They become fire fuel.
Planning tree trimming? Bird nesting season runs through summer, so check for nests first.
Check attic vents for blockage and good airflow.

July

Look at your water bill. A sudden jump can mean a leak or a broken sprinkler line.
Flush your water heater to clear sediment. Orange County’s hard water builds it up quickly.
Wildfire smoke season: keep extra HVAC filters on hand and refresh your go bag.

August

Drywood termites swarm on warm days in late summer and fall. Look for small pellets (droppings) below windowsills and wood trim.
Inspect eaves, fascia, and wood trim for damage and peeling paint.
Book a roof inspection now, before roofers get busy ahead of the rains.

September

Property tax bills arrive between September and October.
Santa Ana wind season is starting: secure patio furniture and umbrellas, and keep the roof and gutters clear.
Make sure attic and foundation vents have fine metal mesh to help keep embers out.
Schedule gutter cleaning before the first storm.

October

Great ShakeOut (third Thursday of October): practice drop, cover, and hold on, and check your earthquake kit.
Make sure your water heater is strapped (California requires it) and that you know where your gas shutoff is.
Keep the 5 feet around your house clear of anything flammable during Santa Ana winds.
Run the heater once before you need it and replace the filter.

November

Property tax: the first installment is due November 1 (late after December 10).
Daylight saving time ends: test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Cut back irrigation as temperatures drop, and turn it off before rain.
Clear drains and grates, and keep sandbags handy if you have low spots.

December

Property tax: the first installment must be paid by December 10.
Use outdoor-rated holiday lights on a timer, and don’t overload outlets.
During the first storms, walk the house and check for leaks.
Coastal homes: king tides return. Check drainage, including bluff-side and seawall drains.

Year-round essentials

Smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms if you have gas appliances, a fireplace, or an attached garage.
Water heater strapped for earthquakes. California requires it.
Know your shutoffs: main water, electrical panel, and gas. Only shut off the gas if you smell gas or hear a leak; the utility has to turn it back on.
Emergency kit: water, food, medications, a flashlight, a radio, and copies of important documents.

Fire safety: defensible space

Fire officials think about the space around your home in zones. The 5 feet closest to the house matter most, because that’s where wind-blown embers start fires.

0 to 5 feet: no mulch, dead plants, firewood, or stored items against the house. Gravel, pavers, and well-watered low plants are better choices.
5 to 30 feet: space out shrubs and trees, remove dead vegetation, and keep branches trimmed away from the roof.
30 to 100 feet: keep grass short and reduce dense brush, especially on slopes.

California is still finalizing new “Zone 0” rules for the 5 feet around homes in high fire hazard areas, but you don’t need to wait to start. In an HOA with fuel modification zones, check which areas the association maintains. The Orange County Fire Authority’s Ready, Set, Go! program has more detail.

Own an older home? A quick checkup

Many South OC neighborhoods were built in the 1970s and 1980s. If your home is one of them, these are worth a look:

Roof: tile roofs can look fine while the underlayment beneath them wears out. Ask a roofer to check it.
Plumbing: polybutylene pipe (often gray and flexible) was used in many homes built from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s and is prone to leaks.
Electrical panel: some older panel brands get flagged by home inspectors and insurers. Have an electrician take a look.
Sewer line: tree roots in older clay lines are common. A camera inspection is inexpensive peace of mind.
Windows and doors: original single-pane windows let heat in and noise through.

Save money with water rebates

Orange County residents can get rebates for replacing grass with water-wise landscaping, smart irrigation timers, rotating sprinkler nozzles, rain barrels, and efficient toilets and washers. Amounts change, so check current offers through the Municipal Water District of Orange County and your local water district.

Home maintenance videos

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General information only. Check with licensed professionals, your HOA, and your city before starting work.

Brandon Menchaca, Realtor · Coldwell Banker Global Luxury · CalDRE# 01947478 · Photos: Unsplash