In the Twin Cities, the window between “nice fall day” and “too cold to deal with it” can be short. A handful of small fixes now makes the house more comfortable all winter and saves you from tackling them in the cold.
Here’s a practical list of small, high-value jobs to get done before the first hard freeze.
Doors and windows
- Check weatherstripping on exterior doors. If you can see daylight around a closed door, or feel a draft, the weatherstripping is worn or compressed.
- Add or replace door sweeps. A gap under the door lets in cold air and, sometimes, small critters.
- Swap screens for storm windows. Take screens out, label them by window, and store them flat so they don’t bend.
- Fix doors that won’t latch. A door that doesn’t close tightly lets heat out. Often it’s just a strike plate or loose hinge (see our post on why doors stick).
Inside the house
- Replace the furnace filter. Mark the date on the filter’s edge so you remember when it’s due again.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and change the batteries. Heating season is when CO risk goes up. Minnesota requires CO alarms near sleeping rooms.
- Tighten loose handrails on stairs. Wet boots and icy steps make a solid handrail matter more in winter.
- Add hooks and boot trays by the entry. Winter gear needs a place to land.
Outside and in the garage
- Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets before the freeze.
- Put away or cover patio furniture. Clean it, tighten loose hardware, and store it or cover it.
- Set up garage storage. Hooks and shelving clear the floor so the car actually fits when it snows.
- Put up holiday light clips and hooks on easy-to-reach railings and trim while it’s still comfortable outside.
Make it one visit
Most of these jobs take minutes on their own, but together they’re an afternoon. Grouping them is exactly what our visits are built for. Every visit includes two hours of Rafael’s time ($197 minimum), so the more you add, the more gets done. And if you’d rather not wrestle with ladders and cold fingers in December, we also install and take down holiday lights.
Questions homeowners ask
When should I do fall maintenance in Minnesota?
Aim for late September through October, before the first hard freeze. Outdoor tasks get harder quickly once temperatures drop.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
It depends on the filter type and your home. Many standard filters are changed every one to three months during heating season. Check the filter manufacturer’s recommendation.
Can a handyman do all of these in one visit?
Most of the small items on this list fit well into a single visit. Send your list and we’ll confirm what fits before scheduling.