The once-a-year home maintenance list (Utah edition) — and why the tankless flush is the oil change

Nobody skips oil changes because they've decided the engine doesn't matter. They skip them because nothing feels wrong yet. Home maintenance works the same way — the systems that fail expensively are the ones that give no warning until they do. Here's the short list we'd put on a calendar for a Wasatch Front home.

1. Flush the tankless water heater

This is the oil change. Hard water lays scale on the heat exchanger every day; a yearly descale keeps the unit efficient and keeps the manufacturer's warranty valid. It's an hour and $225. A scaled-up heat exchanger is typically a $1,500–$2,500 repair, and the warranty won't cover it if it died from neglect. Best month: any — just make it the same one every year.

2. Service the furnace and A/C

A tune-up catches cracked heat exchangers (the furnace kind), weak capacitors, and dirty coils before the first cold snap or heat wave. Change the filter every 60–90 days in between. Best months: September for heat, April for cooling.

3. Walk the roof and clean the gutters

After the leaves drop and before the first snow. Clogged gutters plus a Utah freeze-thaw cycle equals ice dams and water in the ceiling. Best month: November.

4. Inspect the chimney and fireplace

If you burn wood, a sweep and inspection before the season prevents chimney fires and carbon monoxide. Gas fireplaces still need the vent checked. Best month: October.

5. Test the water heater relief valve and check for leaks

Lift the T&P valve lever for a second and let it snap back. Look at every supply line under sinks and behind the washer. A $6 hose failure is a flooded basement. We check the tankless connections during every flush.

6. Check the softener and filters

Salt level, a quick hardness test at the kitchen tap, and a look at the pre-filter. If you have a whole-home carbon filter, note the media change date. If your RO water tastes "flat," the membrane is due.

The pattern

Every item on this list is cheap, boring, and preventive. The bill for skipping any one of them is not. If the tankless flush is the one you keep meaning to get to, book it — it's the one that comes with a warranty attached.