Start With One Recurring Walkthrough
Virginia Beach homeownership involves more than choosing paint colors. Heavy rain, hurricanes, and nor’easters make drainage and storm preparation part of homeownership here. A routine can help you notice a leak, a dirty filter, or an alarm that needs attention before the problem gets lost in a busy week.
Choose one recurring day each month for a walkthrough, then add seasonal projects to your calendar. Use this guide as a starting point and adapt it to your home’s age, equipment, condo or HOA responsibilities, and manufacturer instructions. The calendar below is our suggested planning order; it is not a universal service schedule or a substitute for a home inspection.
Sources: Floodplain resources.
Repeat These Checks Every Month
Test alarms monthly according to their instructions. Check the replacement date and battery guidance for your model. A sealed battery, replaceable battery, and hardwired alarm may have different maintenance needs; do not silence a recurring problem by disconnecting an alarm.
Sources: Smoke-alarm guidance; CO-alarm guidance.
ENERGY STAR recommends a monthly filter check. Clean or replace it when needed, using the type and procedure your system requires. Keep the outdoor unit free of loose debris and leave mechanical servicing to a qualified contractor.
Sources: ENERGY STAR.
Look under sinks, around toilets, near the water heater, and at ceilings or windows for new dampness. Record what changed and arrange repairs promptly. EPA recommends drying water-damaged materials within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold growth.
Sources: EPA.
From a safe, dry location, look for leaves or debris around curb gutters, swales, and visible drain openings. Do not lift a storm-drain cover or reach inside. Virginia Beach residents can report a clogged or damaged drain through 311.
Sources: Adopt-a-Drain guidance.
From the ground, compare the roofline, siding, gutters, and areas around doors with last month’s photos. Note an overflowing gutter, a new stain, or loose material for further evaluation. Book appropriate help for work that requires climbing or specialist repairs.
Look for visible leaks or a damaged, crushed dryer vent. Clean the dryer’s lint filter before and after each cycle rather than waiting for this monthly check. Follow the appliance manual and use qualified help for installation and service.
Sources: Dryer-safety guidance.
Write down the date, what you observed, the next action, and who will handle it. Attach photos and receipts. Keep one list for urgent repairs and a second for improvements you can plan and budget for.
A Month-by-Month Plan for Hampton Roads
Keep the monthly checks above throughout the year. Add one focus below, move it when conditions require, and repeat drainage checks after storms or heavy leaf fall.
| Month | Additional Focus |
|---|---|
| January | Gather equipment manuals and service records. Check alarm replacement dates and begin your home-care log. Sources: Smoke-alarm guidance. |
| February | Review indoor moisture: window condensation, bathroom ventilation, and any damp spots that need a repair plan. Sources: EPA. |
| March | Schedule cooling-system maintenance before heavy summer use. Ask your contractor about your filter and condensate-drain needs. Sources: ENERGY STAR. |
| April | Walk drainage routes after rain. Keep yard debris out of gutters and swales; photograph recurring standing water. Sources: Spring drainage guidance; Stormwater Extension. |
| May | Review your household emergency plan, supplies, and evacuation information. Register for official local emergency alerts. Sources: ReadyVB; Know Your Zone. |
| June | As hurricane season begins, decide how you will secure outdoor furniture and protect important household documents. Sources: Hurricane preparation; ReadyVB. |
| July | Check the HVAC filter during heavy cooling use and review moisture readings or persistent condensation. Sources: ENERGY STAR; EPA. |
| August | Review your storm supplies and contact plan. Revisit any drainage issue you documented earlier in the year. Sources: ReadyVB; Stormwater Extension. |
| September | Arrange heating-system maintenance before colder weather. Keep your storm plan ready; hurricane season continues into fall. Sources: ENERGY STAR; Hurricane preparation. |
| October | Clear fallen leaves from safe, accessible drainage paths. Arrange gutter maintenance when debris builds up. Sources: Fall drainage guidance; EPA. |
| November | Review repair priorities and repeat drainage checks after leaf fall. Avoid pushing yard waste into the street. Sources: Fall drainage guidance. |
| December | Save the year’s receipts and repair photos. Plan next year’s larger projects and set your recurring monthly reminder. |
Standing Water After Rain? Start With a Local Resource
A puddle does not tell you which drainage improvement is appropriate. Virginia Beach’s Stormwater Extension program helps residents understand flooding on their property and offers guidance and on-site consultation. Its Flooding Impact Checklist is a useful first step. Record photos, dates, times, and water depth when you can do so safely; that history helps explain what happens at your home.
Read the City’s resources before planning changes to grading or drainage. For an ongoing moisture problem indoors, address the water source. EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally 30–50% when possible.
Sources: Stormwater Extension; Floodplain resources; EPA.
Home Maintenance Questions
Do I need to replace my HVAC filter every month?
A monthly check is a useful habit; replacement depends on its condition and your equipment’s requirements. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ask your HVAC contractor which filter your system needs.
Sources: ENERGY STAR.
Does keeping drains clear guarantee my home will not flood?
No. Drainage maintenance can help keep water moving, but Virginia Beach can experience rainfall flooding and rising-water flooding. Use the City’s property-specific guidance and review your address’s flood information.
Sources: Stormwater Extension; Floodplain resources.
Can I use this checklist when buying a home?
Yes. Turn it into questions about maintenance records, equipment age, drainage history, and responsibilities. It complements a professional inspection; it does not replace one. Keep the records after closing to build your own home-care plan.
Free Official Resources
- Virginia Beach Stormwater Extension and Flooding Impact Checklist
- Virginia Beach Adopt-a-Drain
- ReadyVB: plans, supplies, and emergency alerts
- Virginia Know Your Zone evacuation tool
- Virginia Beach floodplain and flood-map resources
- ENERGY STAR heating and cooling care
- EPA moisture and mold guide
- U.S. Fire Administration smoke-alarm guidance
- U.S. Fire Administration carbon-monoxide alarm testing
These independent resources are provided for your convenience. Burchette Homes is not affiliated with or endorsed by the agencies linked here. Use the agencies’ current guidance and equipment instructions.
Planning Your Next Home or Preparing to Sell?
Tell Julius and Reine Burchette what you are planning and the questions on your list. Burchette Homes can help you connect your home search or selling plan with the property details that matter to you.