The holidays revolve around guests, food, and cold weather, and that’s where your holiday home maintenance efforts should be focused as well. Start by winterizing your home and accomplishing seasonal projects, followed by making repairs and updates to your kitchen, bathrooms, and guest rooms.

If your maintenance projects include home repairs, home improvement projects, or you simply need help with seasonal home maintenance, a handyman in Virginia can help. A handyman is qualified to perform a wide range of home repair and maintenance tasks, including seasonal assessments.

Photo courtesy of Case Remodeling Williamsburg

Winterizing your home includes protecting outdoor amenities during the coldest months.

Exterior winterizing. Begin your winter maintenance on the outside of your home, where cooler temperatures will hit first.
• Remove hoses and store in a shed or garage for the winter.
• Rake fall leaves and mow the lawn a final time.
• Remove annual plants and cut back perennials to two inches from the plant’s base.
• Store or cover outdoor furniture, grills, and other summer amenities.
• Install storm windows.
• Inspect your home’s siding for damages and treat raw wood with stain or primer.
• Inspect your roof from both the outside and inside and make localized repairs if needed.

Photo courtesy of Case Remodeling Williamsburg

Turn on the utilities inside an ADU to help prepare for holiday guests.

Interior winterizing. Most interior winterizing has to do with keeping the house warm and saving energy.
• In rooms that you don’t use regularly, shut heat registers and keep doors closed. Close up sunrooms and screened porches for the winter.
• Switch settings on ceiling fans so they push warm air down.
• Insulate hot water heaters located in cooler spaces.
• Clean HVAC systems and air filters.
• Consider replacing older, single-pane windows. If you can’t afford new windows, put insulating clear plastic over the interior frames or install insulating window shades.

Photo courtesy of Case Remodeling Williamsburg

Reorganizing the mudroom can help make room for guests and winter gear.

Seasonal projects and holiday guest prep. Winter seasonal projects help transition your home from warm to cool weather and help make room for guests.
• Clean out your mudroom or entryway closet. Store summertime shoes and clothing and get out winter coats, boots, and other accessories.
• Make sure all kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room amenities are in working order, and schedule repairs if necessary. If your kitchen has an appliance such as a second oven that’s used infrequently, fire it up ahead of time to make sure it’s working correctly.
• Test amenities in areas of the home that only guests use, including heaters, lighting, and hot water.