Maintenance / Monthly guides
11
November home maintenance
Winter-ready: pipes, heating and emergency supplies.
November is your last good chance to fix drafts and prepare for winter storms. Check the emergency basics now, while stores are calm.
The three that matter most
- Check emergency supplies
- Replace the furnace filter
- Check for drafts
Inside
- Replace the furnace filter
- Check your emergency kit: flashlights, batteries, water, a battery radio
- Make sure everyone in the house knows where the water and electrical shutoffs are
- Look for drafts with a candle or incense stick on a windy day
Outside
- Final leaf cleanup of gutters, drains and window wells
- Trim branches that could fall on the roof or power lines under ice
Cold-winter homes (North, Midwest, mountains)
- Know where your pipes are most likely to freeze, and how to keep them warm
- Have snow shovels, ice melt and roof rake ready
- Never run a generator in a garage or near windows
Warm-climate homes (South, Southwest, coastal California)
- Check weatherstripping; even mild climates lose heat through gaps
- Clean and store pool equipment if you close the pool
General maintenance information. Follow your equipment manuals and local codes, and hire licensed professionals for gas, electrical, roofing and other hazardous work. Home Maintenance Kings isn't paid by any brand or contractor.