If you manage rentals, HOAs, or mixed-use properties across Boston and MetroWest—think Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Natick, Framingham, Weston, Wayland, Sudbury, Marlborough, Ashland, Brookline, and nearby—you’ve seen the usual suspects: small issues that become time-sucking tickets, frustrated residents, and preventable spend. This guide breaks down the 12 most common work orders, what causes them, how to fix them fast, and—most importantly—how to prevent them with light, repeatable routines tailored to New England buildings and weather.
When your list gets long (or your calendar gets tight), FixHouz can jump in for punch lists, unit turns, and seasonal maintenance. See our Services Overview to understand everything we handle across residential, commercial, associations, and STRs:
https://www.fixhouz.com/services
1) Dripping Faucets & Running Toilets
Why in Boston/MetroWest: hard water mineral build-up + older fixtures in classic housing stock.
Fix now: replace flappers/fill valves, swap cartridges and aerators; snug supply lines.
Prevent it: add “wet-area checks” to quarterly walks; look/listen for cycling tanks; check shutoffs for weeping.
Helpful read: Reduce Utility Costs for Property Managers: Practical Tips and Budget-Friendly Strategies
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/reduce-utility-costs-for-property-managers-practical-tips-and-budget-friendly-strategies
2) Slow or Clogged Drains
Why: hair/soap in baths; grease/food in kitchens (student and roommate shares amplify).
Fix now: clear traps, snake short runs, enzyme clean.
Prevent it: monthly enzyme in kitchens; hair catchers in tubs; resident move-in sheet on what not to flush.
3) Moldy or Missing Caulk (Baths/Kitchens)
Why: age + winter humidity fluctuations.
Fix now: remove failed bead, dry thoroughly, apply mildew-resistant silicone.
Prevent it: annual caulk inspection cycle; pair with leak checks.
4) Drafty Windows & Doors
Why: older frames, loose weatherstrip, freeze–thaw gaps.
Fix now: weatherstrip doors, seal obvious gaps, apply window film in cold months.
Prevent it: fall draft audit; recheck after first deep freeze.
How-to: Ways to Insulate Your Drafty Windows When New Ones Aren’t in the Budget
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/ways-to-insulate-your-drafty-windows-when-new-ones-arent-in-the-budget
5) Torn or Missing Window Screens
Why: pet damage, worn spline, warped frames.
Fix now: re-spline mesh, square frames, replace tabs/pulls.
Prevent it: spring screen inspection; label/store storms for winter.
How-to: Window Screen Repair — The Complete Guide
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/window-screen-repair-the-complete-guide
6) Doors That Don’t Latch (or Slam)
Why: building settling, loose hinges, strike misalignment, closer tension.
Fix now: tighten/replace screws, adjust strikes/closers, plane edges if needed.
Prevent it: add “door swing & latch” to quarterly common-area walks; lube hinges.
Safety: entry/egress doors and handrails must meet code; document fixes.
7) Drywall Dings & Paint Touch-Ups
Why: tight stairwells, move-outs, furniture scrapes.
Fix now: patch, feather-sand, spot paint (or repaint full wall for uniformity).
Prevent it: corner guards in high-traffic corridors; keep a labeled touch-up kit.
8) Baseboards & Trim Damage
Why: vacuums, pets, salt/snow moisture wicking near entrances.
Fix now: re-secure loose sections, fill/caulk, touch-up paint; replace rotted pieces.
Budgeting help: How Much Does It Actually Cost to Install Baseboards? A Comprehensive Guide
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/how-much-does-it-actually-cost-to-install-baseboards-a-comprehensive-guide
9) Loose Cabinet Hardware & Sluggish Drawers
Why: high-use kitchens, soft substrate, worn slides.
Fix now: upgrade slides, anchor stripped holes, re-align doors.
Prevent it: annual cabinet tune; choose durable pulls in turnovers.
10) Lighting & GFCI Nuisance Trips
Why: old fixtures/ballasts, damp locations, overloaded circuits in older buildings.
Fix now: replace bulbs/failed fixtures, reset/replace GFCIs, add in-use covers outdoors.
Prevent it: standardize bulb type/temperature; clean fixtures quarterly.
Note: repeated breaker trips → licensed electrician.
11) Smoke/CO Detector Chirps & Expired Units
Why: dead batteries, expired sensors (7–10 years).
Fix now: swap batteries or the unit (check mfg. date), test alarms; log work.
Prevent it: calendarized replacement by stack/building; consider sealed long-life units.
12) Exterior Touch-Ups (Rails, Steps, Thresholds, Signage)
Why: New England weather, salt, freeze–thaw cycles.
Fix now: tighten rails, patch spalls, re-seal thresholds, tune door closers, refresh wayfinding/lighting.
Prevent it: spring/fall exterior walks; photo log; batch work orders to reduce mobilizations.
Perspective: The High Cost of Low Bids — A Contractor’s Perspective on Lowball Construction Bids
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/the-high-cost-of-low-bids-a-contractors-perspective-on-lowball-construction-bids
A MetroWest-Friendly Preventive Maintenance Calendar
Monthly (commons): bulbs/fixtures, entry door swings/closers, trash/recycling, mats & trip hazards.
Quarterly (units & commons): door latches, caulk checks, GFCI tests, HVAC filter reminders (or swaps if provided).
Seasonal:
Spring: screens up, exterior rail/step audit, gutter/downspout checks.
Fall: draft audit, weatherstripping, salt/sand readiness.
Annually: detector batteries or sealed-unit replacements; cabinet tune; paint touch-ups; water-saving aerators.
DIY vs. Pro in Boston/MetroWest
DIY-friendly: caulk refresh, screen re-spline, hardware tightening, basic patch/paint, aerators, weatherstripping.
Call a pro: leaks that persist, repeated clogs, electrical faults, rotted trim, trip hazards, door/frame planing in fire-rated assemblies.
Why quality matters: The High Cost of Low Bids — A Contractor’s Perspective on Lowball Construction Bids
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/the-high-cost-of-low-bids-a-contractors-perspective-on-lowball-construction-bids
Your “Fewer Tickets” Toolkit (Copy/Paste Templates)
Turn checklist (units):
Water/leaks & wet areas
Screens/windows/doors
Caulk & grout
Doors/hinges/latches/closers
Lights/GFCIs/alarms
Drywall/paint/trim
Kitchen & bath hardware (pulls, slides, P-traps)
Final clean + photos
Common-area walk (monthly):
Entry doors & thresholds, railings/steps, lighting, signage/wayfinding, mats/trip hazards
Resident comms (quarterly email):
Filters, drains (enzyme), what not to flush, how to request non-emergency work (and when)
Helpful FixHouz Resources for Your Team
Window Screen Repair — The Complete Guide
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/window-screen-repair-the-complete-guideWays to Insulate Your Drafty Windows When New Ones Aren’t in the Budget
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/ways-to-insulate-your-drafty-windows-when-new-ones-arent-in-the-budgetHow Much Does It Actually Cost to Install Baseboards? A Comprehensive Guide
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/how-much-does-it-actually-cost-to-install-baseboards-a-comprehensive-guideReduce Utility Costs for Property Managers: Practical Tips and Budget-Friendly Strategies
https://www.fixhouz.com/blog/reduce-utility-costs-for-property-managers-practical-tips-and-budget-friendly-strategiesServices Overview (Boston/MetroWest)
https://www.fixhouz.com/services
We are Ready to Help
Book a 15-minute planning call (scope, SLAs, and a prevention plan tailored to your properties):
https://www.fixhouz.com/contact-usPrefer to talk now? Call/Text 617-444-3210
Or email us your top 5 recurring tickets—we’ll reply with a prevention checklist you can implement this month.
FixHouz — Handyman & Property Maintenance (MetroWest Boston)
617-444-3210 • https://www.fixhouz.com/contact-us