The Winter Handyman’s Guide: Winter Home Maintenance Tips

Winter is the best time to cozy up indoors, but it’s also the season when your home faces its toughest structural and maintenance challenges. Cold weather, heavy rain, and frost take a heavy toll on your home every winter. Fortunately, staying ahead of the freezing weather will save you time, effort, and money from eventual costly repairs. 

The good news? Prosper’s Residential Services team is here to help, with this comprehensive guide to winter home maintenance and improvement. We’re delivering the resources and knowledge to make sure your home remains safe, sound, and comfortable while the cold weather rages on outside.

In this guide, we’ll cover crucial handyman tasks for winter, including electrical, plumbing, windows, drywall, leaf service, gutters, garage maintenance, and even frequent wintertime upgrades like fixtures and painting. Let’s dive into how you can protect and enhance your home this winter!

1. Protect Your Plumbing from Freezing

Burst pipes are every homeowner’s winter nightmare. Taking proactive steps with your plumbing can save you from costly repairs:

• Insulate Exposed Pipes: Use foam insulation sleeves on pipes in unheated areas like the garage or basement.
• Drip Your Faucets: Letting faucets drip on freezing nights can prevent pressure buildup in your pipes.
• Check for Leaks: A handyman can inspect for leaks in pipes and joints to ensure everything is sealed tight.

Winterize Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor spigots to prevent freezing. For more information about winterizing your pipes, read our tips here or call our service team today! 

2. Inspect and Upgrade Your Electrical Systems

Winter mean increased energy consumption for your household, as central heading, portable heaters, appliances, and lights work overtime. Inspect your electrical system to ensure it’s up to the task:

• Check Your Outlets and Wiring: Look for signs of wear, like frayed wires or discolored outlets. A licensed handyman can replace outdated components and ensure your home meets safety standards.
• Upgrade Light Fixtures: Winter days are short, so bright, energy-efficient lighting is essential. Consider installing LED fixtures to reduce electricity costs while brightening your home. 
• Add Exterior Lighting: A common winter request for our installation team is outdoor lighting along walkways, paths, and entryways. The combination of less daylight and cold, wet, icy surfaces can be a nightmare for outdoor paths. Weatherproof outdoor fixtures which withstand harsh conditions can greatly improve safety and visibility during the dangerous winter months. 
• Inspect Circuit Breakers: Heavy electrical use during winter can overload circuits. If you don’t feel comfortable or qualified, a handyman  can inspect (or upgrade, if necessary) your system.

3. Inspect and Seal Windows

Drafty windows and doorways let heat out and cold air in, driving up your energy consumption and energy bill. Here’s how to ensure your home stays warm:

• Seal Gaps and Cracks: Use weatherstripping or caulking to seal drafts around windows or doorways.
• Replace Damaged Windows: Cracked or broken glass should be replaced before winter sets in. A handyman can also recommend energy-efficient window upgrades.
• Add Window Film: Heat-shrinking plastic film over windows can reduce heat loss.

Don’t have the time? Our friendly and skilled team of electricians, handymen, and plumbers would love to welcome you to the Prosper family. Call today, or request a quote here!

Tired of outsourcing HVAC, fencing, landscaping, gutter, repairs, appliances, cleaning, flooring, electrical, and construction work to dozens of different contractors, none of which will get back to you? There’s a better way. Your dedicated Prosper account rep will help you bundle any home service you want. From presenting a quote, to scheduling your service, to cleanup, we aim to exceed your every expectation.

Your home will thank us!

4. Repair and Update Drywall

Winter is the perfect time to tackle indoor improvement projects, including fixing drywall issues:

• Patch Cracks and Holes: Cold weather can exacerbate cracks in walls, as well as bubbling wallpaper. A handyman can patch, sand, and repaint these areas to restore a smooth surface.
• Add Insulation Behind Walls: If certain rooms feel colder than others, consider investing in updated insulation.
• Address Moisture Damage: Check for signs of water damage or mold, especially in bathrooms, sinks, and basements.

5. Tidy Up with Leaf Service and Gutter Cleaning

Autumn leaves may be beautiful, but they can wreak havoc on your yard and property if not managed properly. Leaf service and gutter cleaning are essential tasks to prepare your home for winter:

• Clear Your Yard: Leaves left on the ground can smother grass or create slick, hazardous surfaces on walkways or your driveway. If your battle with leaves is never-ending, consider bringing in the big guns, with professional leaf-removal service to win your leaf battle once and for all. Keep your yard safe and tidy!
• Clean Your Gutters: Clogged gutters lead to ice dams, water damage, and roof leaks. These problems can exacerbate existing issues with rot or mold, or create brand new problems. Regular cleaning ensures proper drainage during Jackson’s winter rains.
• Install Gutter Guards: A handyman can install guards to prevent debris buildup and reduce future maintenance needs.

6. Organize and Winterize Your Garage

Your garage often becomes a storage hub during the winter months. Here’s how to keep it functional and organized:

• Insulate Garage Doors: An insulated door helps regulate the temperature and reduces energy costs.
• Repair Door Mechanisms: Ensure your garage door opener and tracks are functioning properly.
• Organize Tools and Supplies: Use wall-mounted racks or cabinets to store tools, holiday decorations, and winter supplies.
• Seal Cracks: Check for gaps around the garage door and seal them to keep out cold air and pests.

7. Refresh Interior and Exterior Painting

Many homeowners like to tackle interior improvement projects, like painting, in the cold winter months. 

• Paint Dries Better: Colder weather and lower humidity levels help paint dry more quickly, and bond better to the walls. 
• Professional help: Many professional painters are less busy in the winter, so scheduling a job is easier. If schedules aren’t so busy, you’re also more likely to get a better deal!
• Touch Up Interior Walls: Fresh paint can brighten your space and cover scuffs or stains.
• Repaint Trim and Molding: Focus on areas like door frames, baseboards, and crown molding for a polished finish.
• Exterior Painting: If the weather permits, repainting exterior features can prevent damage from moisture and cold.

8. Miscellaneous Handyman Services for Winter Prep

A few more tasks to consider for comprehensive winter readiness:

• Upgrade Light Fixtures: Dimmer switches for cozy ambiance, adding modern lighting fixtures for style and efficiency, and task-based focus lighting can transform your home, especially during the darker months. 
• Roof Inspections and Repairs: Check for missing shingles, leaks, or ice dam risks.
• Chimney Cleaning: If you have a fireplace, make sure the chimney is cleaned and inspected for safe use.
• Weatherproof Doors: Add door sweeps and weatherstripping to prevent drafts.
• Upgrade Insulation: A handyman can assess and improve insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.

9. Why Choose Prosper for Winter Home Maintenance?

At Prosper, we’re proud to offer a wide range of handyman services tailored to keep your home in top shape during the winter months. Our experienced professionals handle everything from electrical inspections to gutter cleaning, painting, and plumbing repairs—and everything in between. Here’s why homeowners in Jackson, TN trust us:

• Local Expertise: We understand the unique challenges of West Tennessee winters.
• Comprehensive Services: From drywall to windows, leaf service, and fixtures, we’ve got you covered.
• Customer Satisfaction: Your comfort and safety are our top priorities. Read our reviews here: 

Let Prosper Handle Your Winter Maintenance

Winter doesn’t have to be stressful. With Prosper’s Residential Services team, you can enjoy the season knowing your home is well-prepared and in expert hands. Whether you need help with plumbing, electrical, windows, drywall, gutters, garage maintenance, painting, or upgrading fixtures, our team is here to assist.

Contact Prosper today to schedule your winter handyman services and keep your home warm, safe, and beautiful all season long!