Want to keep your home safe and well-maintained but unsure when or where to start? This home self-check tool guides you through regular maintenance and safety checks.
Taking care of your home
Checks for all rooms
Keep your home safe and help prevent damage with these regular checks.
Monthly tasks
Check lithium-ion battery (LiB) safety
Charge and store items powered by LiBs, like eBikes, eScooters or power tools, outside.
LiBs can pose a fire risk. Keep these items away from anything that could catch fire easily.
Get tips:
Check fire equipment and smoke alarms
Check your fire equipment, such as a fire blanket or fire extinguisher, is ready for use. Buy replacements, if needed.
Test smoke alarms and replace batteries, if needed.
Get tips:
Inspect electrical switches and outlets
Look for sparks, scorch marks, yellowing, or melted plastic.
If your power keeps cutting out, your electric circuits may be overloaded. It might be time for a circuit upgrade by a licensed electrician.
Get tips:
Six-monthly tasks
Inspect ceilings and walls
Check ceilings for cracks, bubbling paint, sagging, or mould. These could be signs of water damage, possibly from a leaking roof.
Cracks in walls may be a sign of structural damage, which could lead to costly repairs – so don’t ignore the signs.
Get tradie help:
Call a licensed builder.
Check window and door weatherproofing
Check window glass for any cracks or chips that could worsen over time. Also, check that window and door seals are watertight.
Look for signs of water getting in, like peeling paint, damp stains or mould.
Get tradie help:
Call a glass specialist, or licensed builder.
Yearly tasks
Get heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) checked
Don’t wait for summer to find out that your air conditioning isn’t working.
Get tradie help:
Schedule checks and maintenance with an HVAC specialist.
Get wood-burning heaters serviced
Make sure the flue is checked and cleaned.
A blocked flue could cause a chimney fire. Get it checked and stay safe.
Get tradie help:
Book an annual service with an HVAC specialist.
Bathroom checks
Stay ahead of water damage with these simple checks.
Monthly tasks
Check flexi-hoses
You’ll find these hoses under your basins and vanities. Check for signs of wear and tear, rust, or leaks.
Most people don’t notice them unless something goes wrong. If they fail, they can cause flooding fast.
Get tips:
Read our article Under the sink: How to prevent flexi-hose bursts.
Inspect taps and fittings
Check for drips, leaks, or loose fittings. Look under basins and vanities for signs of water pooling or damp.
If your water pressure is low, check your water provider’s website for any outages in your area.
Get tradie help:
To fix issues, call a licensed plumber.
Inspect the bath and shower
Look for cracked tiles, mould, or missing or deteriorated grout. Also, check the silicone sealant, especially around the base of the shower.
To help prevent mould, consider getting an exhaust fan installed by a licensed electrician.
Get tips:
Kitchen and laundry checks
Routine checks to help keep your kitchen and laundry safe and in top shape.
Monthly tasks
Inspect taps and fittings
Check your kitchen and laundry taps for drips, leaks or loose fittings.
If your water pressure is low, check your water provider’s website for any outages in your area.
Get tradie help:
Read our article Under the sink: How to prevent flexi-hose bursts.
Clean lint from dryer filters
Always clean the lint filter after using the dryer.
A buildup of lint in your dryer’s filter could become a fire risk.
Are your clothes taking longer to dry than usual? It might be a sign that the vent needs cleaning.
Quarterly checks
Take a look at the flexi-hoses under your sinks.
Check for signs of wear and tear, rust, or leaks. Look for drops of water on the hose.
Get tips:
Read our article Under the sink: How to prevent flexi-hose bursts.
Clean rangehood filters
Check the filters for grease or oil buildup and clean them with a strong degreaser.
Greasy, clogged filters make your rangehood less effective at removing steam, smoke, and cooking smells.
Check hot water systems
Look for rust or leaks around the tank. There may be drips or damp, rusty water, or little or no hot water.
Checking now may help prevent sudden breakdowns that could leave you without hot water.
Get tradie help:
Call a licensed plumber.
Checks outside your home
Spot potential damage risks to your home.
Quarterly tasks
Check gutters and downpipes
Look for leaks and remove debris, like leaves and twigs, that might cause blockages.
Your gutters should deflect rainwater from your building. Otherwise, water may cause damage.
Get tips:
Trim trees and bushes
Trim or remove overhanging branches and dead or weak trees that could fall on your property during a storm.
If you live in a bushfire-prone area, keep bushes and plants near your home trimmed to reduce fire hazards.
Get tips:
Six-monthly tasks
Check and clean barbeque
Inspect the grill and other areas of the BBQ for excessive grease buildup, and clean if needed.
Did you know grease buildup on your barbecue grill can cause a fire? Clean it thoroughly and stay safe.
Get tips:
Inspect your building for cracks
While checking for cracks, look for peeling paint, or other damage to exterior walls.
Cracks in walls may be a sign of structural damage, which could lead to costly repairs – so don’t ignore the signs.
Get tradie help:
Hairline cracks are often harmless, but get wider cracks checked by a licensed builder.
Check drains for blockages
Make sure floor grates are clear from debris, and downpipes have inspection points so plumbers can gain access.
Blocked drains can lead to water pooling, flooding, and property damage.
Get tips:
Yearly tasks
Get a roof check
Getting small issues fixed now may prevent them from becoming big problems later.
Get tips:
Call a licensed roofer.
Inspect fences
Are there any signs of rot, rust, deterioration or loose posts? Consider replacing worn or damaged fences.
Get tips:
Call a licensed builder or fence specialist.
Check window and door security
Check your window security, such as screens or bars, especially at ground level.
If you don’t have deadlocks on external doors, consider getting them installed.
Get tips:
Call a security specialist or locksmith.
Sometimes we just need a little extra help
Have you heard about our Home Health Check with an Allianz Home Safety Specialist? We’re offering this service to eligible customers in eligible postcodes in metro areas within Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane for just $299 (incl. GST).
Helpful home maintenance tips and guides
Want to feel more confident about taking care of your home? Check out these handy resources.
Routine tasks
Keep your maintenance schedule on track with these monthly tasks.
Find out what to do before, during, and after a storm hits.
Before holidays
Before you dash off, make sure you’ve checked a few things around your property.
Allianz Prevention Hub
Helping you prepare today to look after tomorrow. For expert home and car care resources, check out the hub.
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