December home maintenance checklist
December is a short list almost everywhere. In the hottest zones, leaves fall late, so the fall gutter cleaning happens now. In the North, the first heavy snow brings a new job that lasts until spring. Mixed and warm zones in between have only the monthly checks.
December 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 | 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
Zones 1 and 2 clean the gutters this month if the home has them. Clear the leaves and check that downspouts drain away from the foundation. Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks and basement water. The gutter cleaning guide includes ladder safety. Zone 2 also switches ceiling fans to winter mode, clockwise at low speed, to push warm air down from the ceiling.
Zones 3 and 4 have no seasonal tasks in December. If the fall jobs from earlier months are done, there is nothing new to add. The monthly checks still apply, and the furnace or heat pump may be running more often now.
In zones 5 through 8, start keeping exhaust vents clear of snow. After each storm, clear the outside vents for the dryer, furnace and fireplace. A blocked vent can push carbon monoxide back into the house. This task stays on the calendar through February, and the smoke and CO alarm guide explains why working CO alarms matter in heating season.
Every month
Test the smoke and CO alarms one more time this year (alarm guide), and replace the HVAC filter if it looks dirty (filter guide).
Look back at November, start the new year with January, or plan your zone's schedule on the calendar.
Want every task on one schedule? Build your free maintenance calendar for your ZIP code and add it to your phone.