Ten Home Maintenance Things to do in November

November Home Maintenance

With the beginning of November, comes the beginning of the holiday season. This means more people coming in and out of your home. Here are some home maintenance things for November you should take care of before it gets too busy.

• Call and schedule a plumber

The busiest day for plumbers is the day after Thanksgiving, due to garbage disposal issue, clogged drains, and other such problems. Get in ahead of the curve and call to schedule a plumber visit before the holiday.

• Clean dryer vents and duct systems

Cleaning out dryer vents and duct systems not only helps the appliances to work better but also reduces your risk of dryer fires. Dryer fires are more likely to occur in the winter months, so get this done as soon as possible.

• Test smoke alarms

Accidents happen. Throw in Thanksgiving dinner and lots of guests and conversations, and the chance for a kitchen fire can go through the roof. There are also candles and fireplaces that add to the danger of a fire happening. Ensure that the batteries in your smoke alarms are new (or replace them!) and that you have a functioning fire extinguisher.

• Get winter storm ready

Snow can cause power to be out for days and can make it hard to leave your house. Make sure to stock up on some emergency supplies in case you’re left in this position. Have new batteries and flashlights on hand in easy to reach areas. If you have a generator, have it serviced to make sure it works properly or if you don’t have a generator, consider purchasing one. Finally, make sure you have extra water and canned and other non-perishable goods, just in case!

• Composting

With the holiday preparations that are sure to come up, use any appropriate food items to create or add to a compost pile.

• Get ready for visitors

If you are planning on having family stay over, be prepared for them! Wash extra towels and linens, and clean up the guest room so they have a cozy and inviting place to rest their heads.

• Purchase snow removal equipment

Stock up on any snow equipment you might need for the winter season, including deicers, shovels, and ice scrapers. If you use a snow blower, make sure to have it serviced before the first snowfall.

• Stock up on firewood

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll want to stock up on firewood for the winter. Make sure that you have seasoned wood, which is wood that has been dry for more than a year. Seasoned wood produces less smoke than unseasoned wood and causes less creosote buildup in the chimney.

• Keep lawn clean

Continue to rake your leaves into the month of November. Wet leaves can get heavy and can suffocate the blades of grass on your lawn. You can add these leaves to your compost pile or use them as mulch.

• Secure home from pests

As the weather gets colder, outside vermin, such as mice, try to retreat into warmer areas…which can be your home! Often times, they will make their way into your attic through damaged roof tiles and attic vents. They can even get through a hole the size of a quarter. Replace any damaged tiles or vents and seal up the holes around any plumbing pipes and cables that enter your home.