February home maintenance checklist
February is when the two ends of the country start to move apart. Hot zones are already sliding into spring and can get outdoor work done before the heat arrives. Cold zones are still deep in winter, with snow on the roof and vents to watch.
February tasks by climate zone
| Climate zone | Tasks this month |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 (very hot) Miami, Honolulu, Key West | |
| Zone 2 (hot) Houston, Phoenix, Orlando, Dallas |
|
| Zone 3 (warm) Atlanta, Nashville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles |
|
| Zone 4 (mixed) Washington DC, New York City, St. Louis, Seattle | |
| Zone 5 (cool) Chicago, Denver, Boston, Salt Lake City | |
| Zone 6 (cold) Minneapolis, Fargo, Burlington (Vermont), Helena | |
| Zone 7 (very cold) Duluth, Caribou (Maine), Anchorage | |
| Zone 8 (subarctic) Fairbanks and interior Alaska |
Not sure of your zone? Find it by ZIP code, or build your calendar to see only the tasks that fit your home.
What to focus on
One job applies to every zone this month: inspect and clean the dryer vent. Check that the duct is not crushed or blocked, clean out the lint behind the dryer and make sure the outside flap opens. Built-up lint can catch fire. The calendar puts this task in February for everyone, since dryer vent care does not depend on climate. The dryer vent guide walks through it step by step.
Zone 2 has the longest list. Spring arrives early in places like Houston and Phoenix, so the calendar schedules gutter cleaning and a roof inspection now, along with a yearly service of the pool equipment if you have a pool. See the guides to cleaning gutters and inspecting your roof. Zone 3 homes with a basement should test the sump pump: pour a bucket of water into the pit and check that the pump starts and drains it before the spring rains.
In zones 5 through 8, winter is still in charge. Keep clearing snow from the outside vents for the dryer, furnace and fireplace after each storm, and keep watching the roof edge and top-floor ceilings for signs of ice dams. Zones 1 and 4 have only the dryer vent this month.
Every month
Run the test on every smoke and CO alarm using the steps in the alarm guide. Check the HVAC filter at the same time, and swap it out if it looks dirty (filter guide).
Go back to January, move on to March, or use the calendar for your zone.
Want every task on one schedule? Build your free maintenance calendar for your ZIP code and add it to your phone.