A Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist For Wilmington

Wilmington's weather is hard on a house in both directions. January averages close to freezing with around 20 inches of snow a year, and summers are hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms. Add the age of the housing, with about 43 percent of homes built in 1939 or earlier, and small problems can become big ones if they are left alone. This checklist covers the simple things worth checking through the year. If you find something you would rather hand over, call (302) 600-1343 today for a quote. Our team is fully committed to reliable home maintenance in Wilmington.

Spring

• Walk the deck and steps after the snow melts; look for soft boards, popped fasteners and loose railings.
• Check fence posts for leaning after winter's freeze-thaw cycles, and test that gates still latch.
• Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure water drains away from the foundation.
• Look at exterior caulk around windows and doors and note any that has cracked or pulled away.
• Swap storm-door glass panels for screens and repair any torn screens before insect season.

Spring is a good time to plan deck and fence repair in Wilmington, and our team is ready to help.

Summer

• Watch for doors that stick in the humidity; a loose hinge screw is often the cause.
• Seal or stain bare deck and fence wood during a dry spell.
• Check bathroom caulk and grout; humid months make mildew show quickly.
• Run bathroom fans during and after showers to keep moisture out of walls and ceilings.
• Look at ceilings after summer thunderstorms for any new water stains.

We are committed to making summer home maintenance in Wilmington simple and reliable.

Fall

• Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps before the first cold snap.
• Recaulk gaps around windows, doors and exterior trim.
• Clean gutters again once the leaves are down.
• Tighten stair railings and outdoor handrails before ice season.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; the U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing them monthly and replacing smoke alarms after ten years.

We will ensure that your fall home maintenance in Wilmington is handled by professionals.

Winter

• Keep steps, porches and walkways clear and watch for loose treads or railings.
• Look for drafts around windows and doors on cold, windy days and mark them for spring repair.
• Check for new drywall or plaster cracks; they often appear as the house dries out with the heat on.
• Keep an eye on ceilings and walls under bathrooms for stains.
• Use the indoor months for painting touch-ups, shelving and furniture projects.

When you need winter home repairs in Wilmington, our team is ready to help.

Inside the house

• Anchor dressers, bookcases and TVs to the wall, as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends.
• Patch nail holes and small dents before they become a whole-wall repaint.
• Tighten loose cabinet hinges, drawer pulls and towel bars.
• Check that interior doors latch and that locks work smoothly.
• If your home was built before 1978, keep in mind that sanding or scraping old paint can disturb lead.

Our team is focused on high-quality interior maintenance across Wilmington.

Outside the house

• Probe post bases, deck board ends and stair stringers for soft wood.
• Check gates for sagging and fences for broken pickets.
• Look at painted trim for peeling paint and bare wood.
• Make sure house numbers are visible from the street.
• Keep vegetation trimmed back from siding, fences and decks so wood can dry.

We are committed to making exterior maintenance in Wilmington simple and reliable.

When to call for help

Call a handyman when a job needs tools you do not own, a ladder you are not comfortable on, or more time than you have: drywall and plaster patches, sticking doors, deck boards, fence posts, TV mounting and painting. Leaks, wiring, new outlets, water heaters and gas appliances belong with a Delaware-licensed plumber or electrician; you can check their licences at dpr.delaware.gov. For anything else on the list, call (302) 600-1343 today for a quote, or see our handyman services. When you need a handyman in Wilmington, our team is ready to help.