5 Winter Home Repairs to Handle Before Guests Arrive

11 minutes ago

2 min read

Inspecting for potential leaks, Dan uses a thermal camera to evaluate the window's insulation efficiency.

Minnesota winters don't send a polite reminder before they show up.

And neither do your holiday guests.

One day the house is quiet. The next, everyone's in the guest bath, opening the closet, and leaning on the stair railing.

Here are five small repairs worth checking now. Some you can do in ten minutes. Some are better left to Dan.

1. The draft you've stopped noticing

If you can feel cold air at a door or window, your furnace is paying for it. Run your hand around the edges on a cold day. Worn weatherstripping, a door sweep with a gap, and cracked caulk are the usual causes.

Try it yourself: Replace worn weatherstripping and re-caulk gaps around trim. Call Dan if: the door has shifted or the frame is damaged.

2. The faucet that drips (or the toilet that runs)

That tiny drip becomes the loudest sound in the house when guests are trying to sleep. A running toilet is usually a worn flapper, a ten-minute fix and a cheap part.

Try it yourself: Shut off the water, swap the flapper, check the fill valve. Call Dan if: the leak is under the sink or the faucet is old and corroded.

3. The railing that wobbles

A handrail should never move when you lean on it. Check the stair railing and any deck or porch rails before anyone carries luggage up them.

Try it yourself: Tighten visible screws and brackets. Call Dan if: it still moves. A loose railing needs to be re-anchored properly.

4. The smoke or CO detector you haven't tested

Press the test button on every detector. If one chirps, fails to sound, or is ten years old, replace it. It takes a few minutes and matters more than almost anything else on this list.

Want the full list? Download our free Fall 15-Point Home Maintenance Checklist: Get the checklist

5. The hole in the wall from last year

A dent from a doorknob, a towel bar that fell, a spot where a TV used to hang. Guests notice. A clean patch, sanded smooth and painted to match, makes it disappear.

Try it yourself: Small holes can be patched with spackle and a putty knife. Call Dan if: the hole is large, or the paint won't match.

Got a list instead of one repair?

Most homeowners have five small repairs and no free Saturday. Our Half Day Package knocks out as many as fit in one visit.

Request a free quote or call (612) 567-9337.

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