Ask HomeMasons: How Do I Prepare My Home for the Colder Seasons?
Welcome to the HomeMasons blog! Here, we’ll be answering handyman, remodeling, renovation, and general home maintenance questions from the good folks around Richmond. We call it Ask HomeMasons. That said…let’s get to work!
A Reader Asks: How do I prepare my home for fall and winter?
Team,
I live in a 1920s home in The Fan, and with autumn approaching, I’m starting to get that nagging feeling about my pre-winter to-do list. It’s a bunch of small, annoying things: my side door is sticking and lets in a draft, there’s a piece of siding near the gutter that looks a little soft, a few of our old windows are definitely drafty, and I’d love to install a new smart thermostat before the heat kicks on.
My question is, who do I even call for this? It doesn’t feel like a big enough job for a general contractor, but it feels too complicated for just one person. Do I need to find a carpenter for the door, a siding guy, a window specialist, and an electrician for the thermostat? I’m overwhelmed, so I’m just thinking about coordinating all of that. What’s the best way to approach a list like this?
David F.; The Fan, Richmond, VA
An Exercise in Versatility
David,
Thank you for writing in. That’s a classic situation, and one we hear about from homeowners all across the Richmond area. It’s that time of year when a house starts talking to you, letting you know what it needs before the cold weather sets in. Looking at a list of seemingly unrelated issues can certainly feel overwhelming, but you’ve put your finger on a very common challenge.
How a Handyman Can Get it All Done
Let’s break down your punch list from our perspective. An experienced eye sees these not as separate problems, but as interconnected parts of a home’s overall health.
The Sticking Door
This is a frequent issue in older homes. The cause could be anything from seasonal swelling in the wood to loose hinge screws or a worn-out threshold. A proper door repair involves diagnosing the root cause. It might require a simple adjustment, or it may need to be planed slightly. While the door is being serviced, installing new weather stripping can solve the draft issue and improve your home’s energy efficiency.
The Soft Siding
You are right to be concerned. “Soft” siding, especially near a gutter, is a red flag. Before any repair is made, it needs to be properly inspected for wood rot or insect damage. Often, this issue is a symptom of a larger problem, like a clogged or leaking gutter. A thorough fix involves not just the siding repair itself, but ensuring your gutter cleaning and repairs are handled to prevent it from happening again.
The Drafty Windows
This is one of the best “bang for your buck” repairs before winter. The solution is often straightforward weatherproofing. It typically involves removing old, cracked caulking from the exterior trim and applying a new, high-quality bead to seal out drafts. The window glazing and sashes should also be checked to ensure every part of the window is sealed tight.
The Smart Thermostat
This is a fantastic upgrade. A smart home device installation like this is a quick job for a skilled technician and can make a real difference in your energy bills and comfort all winter long.
To your main question—who to call—you are right to feel that coordinating multiple different trades for this list is a headache. The most efficient approach is to find a single, trusted source. Look for a reputable, professional handyman service, preferably one that’s part of a larger, established remodeling company. This often means you get the versatility of a handyman with the accountability, skill, and professionalism of a dedicated craftsman who is used to working on high-end projects.
We hope this gives you a clear path forward for conquering that list. Whether you decide to tackle some of these yourself or bring in a professional, the most important thing is getting it done right. As always, if you have a complex project or a list that feels a bit daunting, our team is here to help.
—The HomeMasons Team
Ready to get your home buttoned up for the season? Contact the HomeMasons Team, either on our contact page or directly at (804) 784-1200 to schedule your service today.
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