As the South Coast shifts into cooler days and colder nights, local homeowners are taking a closer look at the places they rely on year-round — porches, decks, and stairs that quietly age under the wear of New England weather. For one Marion resident, a summer’s worth of soft steps and creaky railings became too much to ignore this fall. “It wasn’t falling apart, but I didn’t feel safe using it anymore,” she said. “I kept thinking, if someone slips on ice this winter, it’s on me.” She reached out to local handyman Mack, who has spent the season reinforcing porches and decks in towns from Wareham to Mattapoisett. “The big problems usually start as small things,” said Mack. “A few loose nails, a soft spot in the wood — those little signs are often the start of something more serious.” In this case, the woman’s porch looked solid from the surface, but underneath, years of moisture had weakened the framing. Mack replaced several boards, added new supports, and rebuilt one section of railing that had started to pull away from the post. “When she stepped onto it afterward, you could see the relief on her face,” he said. “She told me, ‘Now I’m not worried about my grandkids coming over.’ That’s the kind of job that matters.” A Common Issue Across the South Coast According to Mack, these repairs are far from rare. Across the region, older homes often have wooden porches and decks built decades ago. While many were built well, time, salt air, and fluctuating weather have a way of exposing weaknesses — especially if small maintenance steps are missed. “We see a lot of fastener failure — nails rusting out, screws pulling loose — and sometimes rot that starts underneath where you can’t even see it,” Mack said. “People don’t always notice until something shifts or someone trips.” It’s an issue of growing importance, especially for older adults. The CDC reports that one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls each year. Many of those falls happen at home — on uneven steps, shaky railings, or slick, poorly maintained walkways. “Staying ahead of the ice is really the key,” said Mack. “Once snow starts falling, it’s much harder and more dangerous to do this kind of work.” The Right Season to Act Autumn is often overlooked as a prime time for home repair, but Mack says it’s one of the most important windows for preventing cold-weather damage. “As the temperature drops, wood contracts. Water that gets into cracks will freeze and expand, making things worse. If you’ve already got loose boards or unstable stairs, winter will only magnify the problem.” And when materials like wood and fasteners are already compromised, slippery conditions can turn a minor defect into a major hazard. In recent weeks, Mack has helped homeowners in Wareham, Bourne, and Marion address problems ranging from simple stair replacements to full porch reconstructions. In each case, the goal is the same: safety, stability, and peace of mind before the snow flies. Local Work, Long-Term Impact Mack, who runs a small, local handyman service, says that while he’s happy to do large jobs, many of the most meaningful calls come from people just looking to fix a few boards or shore up a shaky railing. “I’ve had people tell me they were embarrassed to ask for help because it was ‘just a few steps.’ But if those few steps are keeping you from feeling safe in your own home, that’s reason enough.” With the holidays approaching and more families gathering at home, Mack encourages residents to take a look at their porches and decks — and not to wait if something feels off. “If your porch wobbles, leans, or just doesn’t feel right, it’s worth checking out,” he said. “You don’t have to wait for it to break — and you definitely don’t want to fix it in February.” 📍 Serving Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett, Bourne & South Coast 📞 774-361-5520 | 📧 altonbarnesco@gmail.com 🌐 altonbarnes.com
