November home maintenance checklist
Updated August 2026
November closes out winterization with ten tasks, and the clock change is the anchor: test every alarm the weekend you reset the clocks, then finish the gutters, the outdoor plumbing, and the drafty doors while the weather still lets you work outside. This is the last comfortable month to do any of it.
| Task | Interval | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Last gutter pass after full leaf drop | Twice a year | 2 hr DIY or $150–350 |
| Confirm outdoor plumbing is drained and stored | Before hard freeze | 30 min · DIY |
| Stock ice melt and stage shovels before the first storm | Yearly | 30 min · $20–60 |
| Task | Interval | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Test every smoke and CO alarm at the time change | Twice a year | 15 min · DIY |
| Insulate exposed pipes in the garage and crawl space | Yearly | $2–4 per sleeve |
| Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps that no longer seal | Yearly | 1 hr · DIY |
| Set fans clockwise if you have not already | Once for the season | 2 min · DIY |
| Task | Interval | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Run the heat for an hour, then change the filter | Monthly filter | 20 min · DIY |
| Clear the dryer vent before indoor drying season | Yearly | 1 hr DIY or $100–200 |
| Inspect the fireplace or wood stove before heavy use | Yearly | 15 min · DIY |
Why these tasks in November
The heating season is the common thread. Every gas or oil appliance in the house runs for months starting now, and a CO alarm older than 7 years may not detect anything at all, which is why the time change works as the prompt to test and replace. Gutters left full freeze into a solid block that pulls at the fascia and feeds ice dams later. Pipes in an unheated garage or crawl space are the ones that split, and foam sleeves cost $2–4 for a six-foot length against a water loss that commonly runs $2,000–10,000 to dry out and repair. Anything left over from the October list moves here, and this is the last month it moves cheaply.
This whole checklist ships as reminders in OnOtto: every task above, on the right schedule for your home, snooze-proof.
Load this checklist as remindersFrequently asked questions
Why test carbon monoxide alarms in November?
Because the furnace, water heater, and fireplace all start working at once, and CO poisoning cases cluster in the heating months. Press the test button on every unit, then read the manufacture date printed on the back. CO sensors are typically rated for 7–10 years and smoke alarms for 10, after which the sensor degrades whether or not the test chirp still sounds. A combination alarm costs $25–50, which makes it the cheapest safety upgrade in the house.
It is cold out. Can gutter cleaning wait until spring?
No, and November is the last practical window. Wet leaves freeze into a solid mass that adds weight, pulls hangers loose, and blocks the melt path that otherwise drains off the roof. That combination is how ice dams start forcing water under shingles. If you cannot handle a ladder safely in the cold, a crew charges $150–350 for a single-story house. At an absolute minimum, clear the downspout outlets from the ground.
How do I keep pipes from freezing in an unheated garage?
Sleeve every exposed run with foam pipe insulation, about $2–4 for a six-foot length, and pay attention to elbows and the short stubs near exterior walls where sleeves usually stop short. For a run that has frozen before, thermostatic heat cable adds real protection for $30–60. Keep the garage door shut on cold nights, and if a shutoff feeds an unused exterior line, close it and drain that line rather than insulating it.
Should I close my crawl space vents for winter?
In a vented crawl space with insulated floor joists and insulated pipes, closing the vents for winter is common practice and cuts the freeze risk. Reopen them in spring so summer moisture can escape. In an encapsulated crawl space with a sealed vapor barrier and conditioned or dehumidified air, the vents stay closed year round. What you should never do is close the vents over bare soil, since that traps ground moisture against the framing.