From the AbodioPros team
As MetroWest heads into colder weather, the small jobs around your home take on extra importance. A worn door sweep, torn screen or gap beside a pipe can leave an opening for unwanted visitors. Spring is another good time to check what winter has loosened or damaged.
Start with the maintenance you can see: close entry points, reduce damp spots and keep food and clutter under control. Here is a practical checklist for your next seasonal walk-through.
1. Check the doors and screens first
Close each exterior door and look for daylight underneath or around the edges. Inspect weatherstripping for gaps, flattened sections or pieces that have pulled away. Check basement doors, garage-door seals and window screens as well as your main entrance.
Add worn sweeps, loose hardware, doors that do not close properly and damaged screens to your repair list. These are useful starting points for a handyman visit.
2. Look for gaps around the outside
From ground level, look around window frames, basement windows and places where pipes or utility lines enter the house. Check for loose trim and visible openings along the foundation. The CDC notes that mice can fit through a gap about a quarter-inch wide, so a small opening can matter.
Choose repairs and sealing materials appropriate to the location. Rodent entry points may need durable metal materials rather than a quick cosmetic patch. Keep designed ventilation, drainage openings and appliance exhausts clear. If you suspect animals are already inside, have a pest-control or wildlife professional assess the situation before closing their entry point.
3. Give moisture problems a place on the list
Look under sinks, around laundry connections and near basement windows for drips, damp patches or standing water. Outside, check for gutter overflow and downspouts that leave water collecting beside the house.
The EPA recommends correcting leaks and removing water sources as part of pest prevention. Note where moisture appears and arrange the right repair; a recurring wet spot deserves more than another towel.
4. Clear the hiding places close to home
Remove leaf buildup from window wells and along the foundation, and trim vegetation touching the house. Keep firewood away from exterior walls and raised off the ground where practical. Check stored decorations and outdoor items before carrying them into living areas.
If houseplants spent the summer outdoors, inspect leaves, pots and trays before bringing them in. Clear away debris and address any visible insect activity first.
5. Make the kitchen and storage areas less inviting
Keep pantry goods and pet food in tightly closed containers, clean crumbs and spills, and empty food waste regularly. Deal with overripe produce and rinse recycling rather than letting sticky residue accumulate. In garages and basements, reduce cardboard clutter and use lidded storage bins where practical.
Your seasonal walk-through checklist
- Check exterior door sweeps, weatherstripping and garage-door seals.
- Look for tears in window and door screens.
- Note visible gaps around trim, foundations and utility entry points.
- Check for leaks, damp areas and gutter overflow.
- Clear leaves from window wells and away from the house.
- Inspect plants, firewood and stored items before bringing them indoors.
- Photograph the repairs you want help with and put them on one list.
Fix it now. Stay ahead of it next season.
AbodioPros can help with the repair list: door adjustments, weatherstripping, screen repairs, appropriate sealing, trim repairs and gutter-related maintenance. Share photos and your address so we can review the scope and confirm what our crew can handle. Active infestations, animal removal and pesticide treatments should go to a qualified pest-control or wildlife professional.
For ongoing seasonal upkeep, AbodioCare offers a maintenance checklist tailored to your home. AbodioHub helps keep home information and reminders organized; your free Pros record covers work completed by our crew.
Based in Natick, we help homeowners across MetroWest tackle the practical jobs that keep a home cared for. Start with one repair or send us your whole list.
Explore handyman repairs · Check our service area
Adapted for AbodioPros from Abodio’s seasonal pest-prevention guide by Amber Abram. Prevention guidance also draws on the CDC and EPA resources linked above.