What I check and fix
- Door sweeps, thresholds and weatherstripping renewed where worn
- Window caulk and glazing touched up
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested, batteries changed
- Return air filter replaced with one you provide
- Shutoff valves, hose bibs and washer hoses checked for drips
- Cabinet latches and furniture anchors checked for earthquake safety
Fall in older San Gabriel homes
With 52.3 percent of homes more than 60 years old, per the City’s Housing Element preliminary report, many San Gabriel houses have wood windows, original doors and older valves. A yearly check catches dried caulk and stiff shutoffs before the rains.
The City’s Housing Element environmental study notes San Gabriel is mainly affected by ground shaking, so I also check that tall furniture is anchored and cabinet latches still catch.
How the visit runs
Your list first
Text the jobs you know about and I add the fall checklist.
Inside and out
I go through the house and around the outside, item by item.
Fix on the spot
Small fixes happen during the visit.
Notes for later
Bigger items go on a short list with photos.
Referred to others
Furnace and AC service, roof and gutter work, and anything beyond handyman scope go to the right specialist.
On the same San Gabriel visit, people also tend to ask about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, weatherstripping and door sweeps, window caulking and draft sealing or shutoff valve replacement.
What to text
Your list, photos of anything you’re unsure about, and whether you have filters and alarm batteries.
Fall maintenance questions from San Gabriel
What’s on a fall home maintenance checklist?
Seal doors and windows, test smoke and CO alarms, change the furnace filter, check shutoffs and hose bibs, and anchor tall furniture.
Can a handyman winterize a house?
Here, winterizing mostly means sealing drafts and checking plumbing. I handle those items.
Do you clean gutters?
No, gutters and roofs go to a specialist.
Do you service the furnace?
No. I swap a filter you supply; servicing goes to an HVAC company.
How much does a fall maintenance visit cost?
It depends on the list. Text it for a free estimate before anything is booked.
Can my parents’ house get the same check?
Yes. Family can text the list and photos.
Seasonal tips for San Gabriel homes
- Getting a thick-walled house ready for winter rainA fall checklist for older San Gabriel homes with thick walls and deep windows: sills, doors, drains, caulking and outdoor outlets.
- A move-in checklist for an older houseWhat to check and fix when you move into an older San Gabriel home, from shutoffs and smoke alarms to locks, outlets and window hardware.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our drywall, plaster and paint touch-ups group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.