Fall in Huntington means more than raking leaves. With the Ohio River on the city’s northern edge, the Guyandotte River nearby, and a long history of wet seasons in the Tri-State, this is the time of year to look closely at the parts of your home that keep water out and weather off.
From gutters and exterior woodwork to doors, windows, and the small repairs you’ve been putting off, here’s what Huntington homeowners should put on the fall project list.
Start With Gutters and Drainage
Water is the biggest year-round challenge for homes in the Tri-State. The region has seen more annual precipitation and heavier downpours over time, so it pays to know where the water goes when it hits your roof.
Huntington’s older neighborhoods, like Westmoreland, Southside, and Ritter Park, have plenty of mature trees, which means gutters fill up quickly once the leaves drop. Check yours for debris, loose sections, and sagging. Look over downspouts too, and make sure they carry water well away from the foundation, especially if your home sits on a slope or near a hillside, as many do around Huntington.
While you’re walking the perimeter, note any damaged trim, soft or deteriorating wood, or other exterior spots you’ve been meaning to deal with.
Check Doors, Windows, and Trim Before Winter
Huntington winters still bring freezing temperatures, along with the freeze-and-thaw cycles that are hard on exterior wood and caulk. Even though the number of below-freezing days has declined over the long term, a drafty door or cracked window trim can still cost you comfort and heating dollars.
Look for visible gaps, damaged trim, sticking doors, and woodwork that needs attention. A door that won’t close properly or trim that’s starting to rot may seem minor now, but there’s little reason to carry it through another winter.
Look at Exterior Woodwork
Porches, decks, railings, steps, and trim take a beating from Tri-State humidity, summer storms, and winter cold. Many Huntington homes, particularly older ones, have front porches and wood details that need regular attention.
Before the weather turns, check for loose boards, wobbly railings, worn steps, and damaged trim. You don’t need a major renovation. Catching smaller repairs as they appear keeps routine maintenance manageable and helps prevent bigger problems later.
Move the Project List Indoors
Once the weather cools, fall is a natural time to turn to the inside of your home. That hole in the drywall you’ve been ignoring, the room you’ve been meaning to repaint, the door that sticks every time you close it, the trim that never got finished: this is a good time to group those smaller projects together.
Common indoor projects include:
- Drywall patching and repair
- Interior painting and touch-ups
- Door adjustments and repairs
- Trim and carpentry work
- General home repairs
- Installing or assembling items around the home
You don’t need to wait until the list turns into a major renovation to start crossing things off, and getting them done before the holidays means you can host guests without apologizing for the hallway.
Give Your Huntington Home a Fall Walk-Through
One of the simplest things you can do this fall is walk through your house, inside and out, and make one complete repair list.
Start outside with the gutters, doors, windows, trim, steps, and other exposed areas. Then head indoors and write down the repairs you’ve been noticing but haven’t gotten to. What felt like a dozen unrelated annoyances often turns out to be a manageable list that one visit can handle.
Need Help With Your Huntington Home Repair List?
Ace Handyman Services Huntington Tri-State helps homeowners across Huntington and the surrounding Tri-State area with repairs, maintenance, and improvement projects. Whether it’s drywall repair, a painting project you’ve been putting off, carpentry, or a list of smaller fixes, our team can help you get it checked off.
We’re locally owned and proud to bring dependable workmanship and straightforward service to our neighbors in Huntington, Barboursville, Ceredo, Kenova, Ashland, and Proctorville.