Seasonal Home Maintenance: what a handyman does
Chicago-area homes go through hard freezes, about 37 inches of snow in an average year, and damp summers. We tackle the handyman side of each season: sealing drafts and gutters in fall, pipe and door checks in winter, caulk and trim after the thaw, and humidity control in summer.
Jobs we take on
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- Fall: clear and re-hang gutters and check that downspouts carry water away from the house
- Fall: replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps and re-caulk window and door gaps
- Fall: disconnect and drain garden hoses, and store patio furniture and seasonal decor
- Winter: insulate accessible pipes near outer walls and seal gaps that let cold air reach them
- Winter: adjust doors that stick or gap as the wood moves with the cold
- Spring: inspect exterior caulk, trim and paint for freeze damage and repair it
- Spring: re-secure loose railings, gates and downspout brackets after snow and ice
- Summer: fix bathroom and kitchen caulk, and check that vents and fans are unblocked
- Summer: clear air conditioning drain areas that a handyman can reach and check door and window seals
Signs it is time to call
- Gutters hold leaves or ice and overflow in the first cold rain of fall
- You feel drafts at door edges or window frames once the heat comes on
- Pipes sit against an outside wall, in a crawl space or in an attic with no insulation
- Paint is peeling or caulk is split after the winter thaw
- Condensation, a musty smell or swollen doors in humid months
What is not a handyman job
Roof inspection and repair, ice dam removal, plumbing, electrical work and chimney service go to licensed or specialist contractors. HVAC tune-ups go to an HVAC contractor. Our visits cover the repair and sealing side of each season, not heating system service or insulation upgrades.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- You pick the season and the areas. We confirm the list before we start.
- We bring common caulk, weatherstripping and hardware, and note anything that needs a special order.
- Work on ladders is limited to what is safe for a handyman. Roof-level work is referred out.
- Items for a licensed trade are listed and referred to independent contractors.
Common questions
What should I do in fall before winter starts?
State Farm's fall checklist leads with clean gutters and downspouts, then sealing air leaks, protecting outdoor faucets by draining hoses, testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and replacing furnace filters. A handyman can do most of those except heating system service and roof work.
How do I protect pipes in winter?
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency advises insulating the pipes most likely to freeze, which are those near outer walls, in crawl spaces or in attics, sealing air leaks around them, and knowing how to shut off the water. Frozen or burst pipes need a plumber, not a handyman.
Why do doors and trim change from season to season?
Wood takes on and loses moisture, and water that gets into small gaps can freeze and widen them. That is why spring is a good time to check caulk, exterior doors, trim and paint. We adjust, re-seal and touch up what we can reach.
Is summer maintenance really needed?
Yes, mostly for moisture. The EPA says to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent if possible, use fans when showering or cooking, and keep gutters repaired and the ground sloped away from the foundation. Bathroom caulk and unblocked vents help.