January home maintenance checklist
January splits the country in two. In the northern zones, snow and deep cold make the roof edge and the outside vents the main things to watch. In the South and along the warm coasts, the calendar is quiet, and the only jobs are the two quick checks every home gets each month.
January tasks by climate zone
| Climate zone | Tasks this month |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 (very hot) Miami, Honolulu, Key West | Only the monthly checks |
| Zone 2 (hot) Houston, Phoenix, Orlando, Dallas | Only the monthly checks |
| Zone 3 (warm) Atlanta, Nashville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles | Only the monthly checks |
| Zone 4 (mixed) Washington DC, New York City, St. Louis, Seattle | Only the monthly checks |
| 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
In zones 5 through 8, the calendar assigns two winter jobs, and both come down to watching the house after a storm. The first is keeping exhaust vents clear of snow. Outside vents for the dryer, the furnace and the fireplace can disappear under a drift, and a blocked vent can push carbon monoxide back into the house. Check them after each snowfall, not just once. The smoke and CO alarm guide explains why a working CO alarm matters most in this season.
The second job is watching for ice dams after heavy snow. Look for thick ice along the roof edge and for water stains on top-floor ceilings. Ice dams usually start with warm air leaking into the attic, so note where they form and have the attic insulation and ventilation checked. The gutter cleaning guide covers how clogged gutters fit into the same problem.
In zones 1 through 4, January has no seasonal tasks on the calendar. That is not a gap in the schedule. Most of the big jobs in warmer climates fall in spring and fall, so a light month is normal.
Every month
Press the test button on each smoke and CO alarm, as the alarm maintenance guide describes. Then look at the HVAC filter and replace it if it is dirty, especially with the heat running hard; the filter guide has the details.
Look back at the December checklist, read ahead to February, or open the calendar to see the tasks for your own zone.
Want every task on one schedule? Build your free maintenance calendar for your ZIP code and add it to your phone.