Repair old plaster, trim, doors and windows before replacing them. Check lead paint rules in pre-1978 homes and landmark review before exterior changes.
In an older North Shore home, repair before you replace. The National Park Service advises keeping original plaster and wood windows when possible. Before any work in a house built before 1978, plan for lead paint rules. On a landmark or in a historic district, ask the town before changing the exterior.
Start with two questions
When was the house built? Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires paid contractors who disturb paint in pre-1978 housing to be EPA-certified. Work that disturbs 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside, is treated as minor maintenance. Window replacement is always covered, whatever the size.
That has a practical effect on a handyman visit. Sanding, scraping and cutting into painted trim in a pre-1978 house can fall under the rule. Tell us the year the house was built when you send your list. If your project may fall under the rule, ask any contractor whether the firm is EPA-certified before work that disturbs paint.
Is the house a landmark or in a historic district? If yes, exterior changes may need review. See the town notes at the end of this post.
Plaster
The National Park Service's Preservation Brief 21 favors repairing historic plaster over removing it. Its main points:
- Hairline cracks are generally minor. Cracks that reopen with humidity changes can be widened slightly, filled, and bridged with tape and joint compound built up in coats.
- Loose plaster on wood lath, where the surrounding plaster is sound, can be reattached with flathead screws and plaster washers.
- Larger holes need new metal lath and multiple layers of plaster.
- If bowing or loose plaster comes from a structural problem or rotting lath, the structure should be corrected first.
For a handyman visit, that means small crack repair, screw-and-washer reattachment and patching of small holes are reasonable jobs. Large failed areas, water damage with an active leak and ceilings that are sagging as a whole are not. Find and fix the water source first, with a licensed plumber or roofer if needed.
Trim and millwork
Older trim is often solid wood that is hard to match. Repair first:
- Re-nail or glue loose casing and base.
- Fill dents, split corners and old nail holes with wood filler, then sand and paint.
- Where a section is rotted or missing, a carpenter can splice in new wood or match a profile.
- Caulk gaps between trim and plaster so paint does not crack along the joint.
If trim is painted and the house was built before 1978, the lead rule above applies to sanding and scraping.
Doors
Most sticking doors have a simple cause. Check these in order:
1. Loose hinge screws. Tightening them can lift a door back into place.
2. Humidity swelling the edge. The door may need to be planed or sanded and the cut edge sealed with paint.
3. House movement. A frame that has gone out of square may need shimming.
4. Worn latches and strike plates, which can be adjusted or replaced.
Old mortise locks and glass knobs can often be repaired, so ask before replacing hardware that is original to the house.
Windows
The National Park Service's Preservation Brief 9 treats moisture as the main cause of wood window decay. It tells owners to check glazing putty for cracks, looseness and gaps, and describes routine maintenance as paint removal, sash repair and reglazing, frame repair, weatherstripping and repainting. It also notes that old felt weatherstripping tends to hold moisture and perform poorly, and lists rolled vinyl, metal and plastic spring strips as alternatives.
NPS also recommends caulking, weatherstripping and replacing deteriorated glazing compound before considering replacement of historic windows (NPS weatherization guidance).
Handyman-level window work includes caulking, weatherstripping, reglazing a loose pane, freeing a painted-shut sash and adjusting locks. Replacing windows is a different job, and in a pre-1978 house it falls under the EPA rule regardless of size.
Landmark and historic review in the towns we serve
These notes come from each town's own pages. Rules change, so confirm with the town before exterior work.
- Highland Park: The City lists more than 130 local historic landmarks and three historic districts: Belle Avenue, Linden Park Place and Vine Linden Maple. Its Historic Preservation Commission reviews exterior alterations to landmarks and to contributing features in those districts.
- Glencoe: The Village's Preservation Commission reviews proposed alterations or additions to landmark properties.
- Winnetka: Since 2021, the Village can delay demolition of a single-family home with historical or architectural significance for up to 270 days (The Record North Shore). That rule covers demolition, not repairs.
- Kenilworth: The Village's building permit rules and its business-district review are covered in our permit guide.
- Lake Forest: The City has five local historic districts and a Local Register of Historic Properties. Its Community Development Department can confirm whether your property is listed.
- Barrington Hills: We did not find a historic review rule on the Village pages we checked. Call the Village if your property has a known historic designation.
What to refer out
Active leaks, wiring found inside walls, knob-and-tube or damaged wiring, and roof problems go to licensed independent contractors. Plumbing, electrical and roofing are not handyman work. See Handyman vs. licensed contractor in Illinois.
FAQ
Should I replace old plaster with drywall?
The National Park Service says plaster walls and ceilings should be left in place and repaired if at all possible. Replacement is a last resort.
Does lead paint rule apply to a small trim repair?
Work that disturbs 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room inside is treated as minor maintenance under the EPA rule, but window replacement is always covered. Tell your contractor the year the house was built.
Can you repair old wood windows?
Caulking, weatherstripping, reglazing and freeing stuck sashes are handyman jobs. Window replacement is a separate job with its own rules.
Do I need town approval to repair trim on a landmark?
It depends on the town and the work. Highland Park and Glencoe review exterior changes to landmarks. Call the building department before changing the exterior.
To send photos of plaster, trim, doors or windows, call or text (847) 877-1877.
