We believe that every household will benefit from a knowledgeable handyman. Fairview Heights properties endure significant precipitation and other external factors that can negatively impact the exterior drainage system, appearance, and more. Feel free to contact our handyman for that seasonal checklist and even ask our office to send you annual maintenance reminders so you won’t miss your gutter cleaning, siding inspection, or sealing service.
The ultimate purpose of routine maintenance is to take preventive measures, such as identifying early signs of wear and tear before they spiral out of control and lead to more costly damage. Booking handyman maintenance services will ensure your materials are protected from early surface damage and will continue to serve you for longer.
Siding maintenance
You might like to think that your house is indestructible, but unfortunately, that’s not the case—even with high-quality siding materials. Although your siding is known as your house’s exterior armor, it requires annual maintenance and inspection. Newer houses will likely experience home settling within the first few years, during which the soil beneath the foundation shifts, causing the foundation to settle. Soil shifting is likely to bring minor flaws or cosmetic issues, such as hairline cracks in your interior walls. In more severe cases, you may notice larger cracks in both drywall and siding. Large vertical cracks will require a detailed diagnosis from a certified foundation specialist. Typical siding types include:
- Vinyl
- Fiber cement
- Wood
- Metal
- Brick veneer
- Composite
Pro Tip: Vinyl is by far the most common siding type because it’s cost-effective, easy to install, and low-maintenance. Unlike other parts of the country, Illinois doesn’t get extreme heat, which reduces the danger of warping. While pressure and power washing siding is a common service, our handyman in Fairview Heights doesn’t recommend pressure washing vinyl siding, as the material could break. Instead, we’d recommend using a soft washing system with a psi lower than 500. Here are some siding maintenance jobs you can expect from our local professionals:
- Pressure washing or soft washing
- Identifying premature deterioration
- Gap filling with caulk
- Flashing, building paper, and sheathing inspection
- Patching jobs
- Painting
- New coating for metal siding
- Resealing and staining wood siding
Your siding is exposed to harsh weather year-round, from rain to hail to snow. The north side may show signs of mildew or mold growth and could pose a health risk if someone in your household has allergies. If you believe your siding needs maintenance, contact our local handyman. Fairview Heights, IL homeowners deserve a clean, sanitary outdoor space.
Flooring installation
There are many factors to consider when choosing your ideal flooring system. You must consider the number of people in your household, high-traffic areas, and whether a subfloor is required, as that’s not always necessary. Before you get too overwhelmed by the paradox of choice, you can count on our handyman to help you make the right decision by weighing the pros and cons and addressing your needs. Understanding each floor type’s characteristics is also essential when planning which area to renovate. Some of the common dilemmas you may encounter include:
- Solid wood vs. engineered hardwood
- Standard vinyl vs. laminate
- Luxury vinyl plank vs. luxury vinyl tile
- Natural stone vs. granite
- Ceramic tile vs. porcelain tile
Expert preparations to expect from our handyman in Fairview Heights, IL:
- Subfloor inspection (existing concrete or plywood)
- Measurements and seam placement
- Area inspection
- Removing baseboards and shoe moldings
- Determining a safe outdoor area for cutting
You likely care for functionality and aesthetic appeal, unless someone in your household is flat-footed and walks like an elephant—then you want something more durable and soundproof. Choosing the right flooring matters, whether your priority is safety or cost-effectiveness. When you need help making the right flooring choice for your home or business, and need to ensure it’s installed correctly, we’re ready to meet your needs as your local handyman. Fairview Heights, IL homeowners will receive expert opinion and advice for a successful installation.
Gutter Repair
The last thing you want to see during snowmelt is leaking rain gutter sections that indicate loose joints due to a clog. Or perhaps that area had created an ice dam during the winter months and is now causing the final damage. Gutters, also known as “eavestroughs,” are the horizontal U-shaped metal traps attached to fascia boards along the edge of your roofline.
Whether you have sectional or seamless gutters, they require annual cleaning from an experienced handyman. Fairview Heights, IL gets over 40 inches of rain on average, which makes it crucial to book your gutter cleaning service in the early spring to ensure your system’s in shape to resist heavy rainfall and will efficiently protect your roof and foundation. Similarly, in the fall when trees are hastily shedding leaves, you don’t want them to decompose in your gutters and create clogs over the winter.
Common signs you need a gutter repair:
- It’s leaking due to cracks, holes, or rusty fasteners
- Peeling paint: The protective coating is wearing out, or your system has inadequate paint adhesion
- Ice dams: Although ice is less dense than water, it's a different story when excess water forms icicles that add extra weight.
- Warped and saggy: This can happen with vinyl gutters, which are not as durable as their metal counterparts. A sag could easily break the joints and pull the gutters away from the roofline.
- Siding damage: When you see water lines on your siding, you likely have damaged soffits caused by a clogged gutter.
- Mold in the attic: High moisture content in your attic could indicate clogged soffit vents or exterior damage from clogged gutters.
Pro Tip: Besides scheduling your annual gutter cleaning, which includes a thorough inspection, feel free to ask our handyman in Fairview Heights about other preventive measures, like installing gutter guards!
Deck repair
An excellent deck can be a blessing, while a deck in a state of disrepair can be a curse. Because they’re outside, it’s not always easy to keep decks and all their minor components in great condition. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about deck maintenance when you live in Fairview Heights, because you can rely on Mr. Handyman of Metro East to get those jobs done for you.
There are many reasons you might need a handyman from our team to service your deck, porch, or patio, and our talented exterior home service technicians are ready to provide all the services you need. Whether your deck just needs a few boards replaced or you need major repairs for a problem with your joists, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll get the job done right.
Here are common deck issues service professionals on our team can handle:
- Replacing damaged boards, posts, and planks
- Deck sanding, painting, and sealing
- Fixing wood rot
- Fixing unsafe deck stairs
- Fixing wobbly railings
- Replacing old screws and other fasteners