Autumn is upon us, and with it comes a host of potential home issues. The changing weather patterns, different precipitation, and more can all lead you to notice new problems you didn’t see before. The team at Mr. Handyman spends a lot of this time each year tackling routine maintenance tasks before winter sets in. Contact us to get some help with your to-do list!
In Huntersville, comfort issues inside the home during the chilly seasons remain one of the biggest challenges. From weatherstripping doors to home siding repair, we can keep you cozy for Christmas.
Not located in Huntersville? We are proud to serve all of our neighbors in Statesville, Cornelius, Troutman, Davidson, and the whole Lake Norman area!
Ensure your home is ready for winter! Contact Mr. Handyman for quick and reliable fall maintenance today!
Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Huntersville, NC
Every homeowner should inspect their building from time to time, regardless of the season. However, autumn is a great opportunity to tackle this task if you haven’t, as there’s still time to fix problems, and issues often tend to crop up as the weather changes. You’ll want to break your examination into two categories:
Inside the House
Ideally, you’ll be nice and cozy indoors as autumn turns to winter. To facilitate that, you should be checking:
- HVAC – Does your heating system work (many people only find out they need repairs when the first truly cold day strikes and they can’t get heat!)?
- Filters – Have you replaced your furnace filter and, if necessary, your dehumidifier/humidifier and air purifier filters?
- Safety – Have you checked your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?
- Drafts – Do you need door seal strips or window weatherstripping to keep the cold air out?
- Fans – Now is the time to reverse your ceiling fans so that they are blowing the warm air down, not sucking it up.
- Carpets – When was the last time you deep-cleaned your home? The air trapped in your house during the colder months is being recirculated constantly; reduce allergens and dust by cleaning.
Outside the House
For seasonal purposes, many fixes on your fall maintenance checklist will be located outside. Home siding repair is one of the most common, as you can lose a significant portion (up to 30%!) of your home’s interior heating through walls and ceilings that are not properly protected. That means both a chillier indoors (even with the heat on) and higher utility bills.
The main things you should be checking on the outside of your house during fall maintenance are:
- Gutters – Do they have debris or fallen leaves in them? Do they drain far enough away from your foundation?
- Siding – Is it damaged or pulling away from the house? Are there any loose points that could be appealing nests for pests during the winter?
- Chimney – Is the chimney clear of any obstructions?
- Landscaping – Have you protected any plants that need covers and pruned plants that benefit from that process?
- Sprinklers – Have you winterized your sprinkler system?
- Hoses – Depending on your home’s hose access, have you drained the spigot so it doesn’t freeze?
Keep your home cozy this fall! Contact Mr. Handyman for easy, quick maintenance today!
How Mr. Handyman Makes It Easy
If you notice a problem, what should you do next? The smart choice is to hire a handyman! Unlike specific professionals (e.g., painters or door companies) that are incentivized to sell you their products, handymen are focused on solving the problem for good.
One of the biggest advantages we can offer at Mr. Handyman is our clean-cut, background-checked professionals who have experience in a wide range of tasks. We’ll send someone who knows what they’re doing with your specific challenge, and we’ll get it solved quickly and comprehensively. Our transparent estimates keep you informed, and you can count on our team for all your needs so you don’t have to keep juggling companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important task if I can only choose one?
It’s hard to say, as each person’s home is unique! In general, many people will benefit the most from cleaning the gutters. They are especially compromised in the fall after all the leaves have come down. Clogged gutters can cause water damage, and they may even develop into ice dams during the winter. These large icicle formations are extremely dangerous; Many people are injured each year from ice dams falling on them, and some die; in Utah, for example, a man was killed when an ice dam weighing a whopping 700 pounds slid onto him from the roof.
How do I choose the right handyman?
Look for a team that is bonded and insured. They should arrive on time, clean up after themselves, and keep you involved in the process so you know what’s going on. A great handyman team will be made of people who have lived in your area for years; this makes them uniquely qualified to advise on location-specific challenges.
Which repairs need to be done before winter?
Cleaning gutters and downspouts is best done before they freeze. Draining and shutting off exterior faucets should also be done early so they don’t expand and damage the house. Weather stripping is most effective if it’s installed early in the season, and if you haven’t used your furnace or chimney in a while, check both their integrity and the function of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before winter comes.
Get your home ready for winter! Trust Mr. Handyman for quick, reliable maintenance—contact us today!
