We're now less than a week away from the start of December, but there's still time to get some essential winter home maintenance jobs done before the end of November, which experts say are vital to avoid costly Spring repairs.
Luckily, nothing that needs doing is too difficult or time-consuming – from winterizing outdoor faucets to cleaning your chimney – and there's no time like the present to tick off these tasks and avoid the all-important home maintenance mistakes never to make in winter.
We've spoken to the pros, and here's what they had to say.
5 Essential Winter Home Maintenance Jobs to Do Before 30th November
1. Clean and Inspect Your Heating System
First things first, and perhaps most importantly, begin by inspecting and cleaning your HVAC system.
'Before November 30, before winter really sets in, homeowners should schedule a professional cleaning and inspection of their heating systems,' advises Rob Gabriele, a home security and safety expert at SafeHome.org.
'I’ve personally woken up in the middle of the night to the smell of electrical smoke in my home. Scary stuff, especially considering we have young children in the home. The culprit? Our furnace shorted out, as the motor was working overtime.
'So I can say from personal experience that the best way to avoid a heating fire is to get annual inspections and maintenance on your furnace or heat pump. A simple inspection now can catch dangerous issues early and give you peace of mind all winter.'
In fact, key findings from research conducted by SafeHome.org found that nearly a third (32 per cent) of people with central heating systems at home have them inspected or cleaned annually, which is the recommended frequency. On average, home heating systems cause 14,883 home fires and over 400 deaths each year in the US, so the significance of this simple November maintenance job shouldn't be overlooked.
For that reason, it's essential to avoid these common fire risks in your home, which also includes refreshing any batteries in your carbon monoxide alarm. If you don't already have one, we recommend picking up the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector available at Amazon immediately. You can learn where to install carbon monoxide alarms in our dedicated guide.
2. Clean Chimneys
Similarly, it's also vital to prep your chimney for winter and clean your fireplace.
Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly company, says, 'If you have a fireplace, it is important to inspect and clean your chimney of any debris to avoid fire hazards and minimize drafts. Both wood-burning and gas fireplaces need seasonal checks to operate safely.
'Remove leftover ashes and check the flue for obstructions. Open and close the damper to ensure it seals properly. For gas fireplaces, inspect pilot lights, hoses, and valves for any wear or damage. We recommend scheduling a thorough cleaning to check for damage, fire hazards, and more.'
Ron advises that you can clear ashes into the ash trap or into a metal ash bucket, with a fireplace shovel and brush, available at Amazon.
And, if you're wondering how often you should clean your chimney, aim for every 50 to 70 fires for wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, and annually for gas fireplaces – November is the perfect time for checking either.
3. Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Disconnect Hoses
Robert Schwachenwald, owner at Bizzy Bee Plumbing, warns, 'Just one night in the 20s is enough to freeze a faucet and burst a pipe inside the wall – a repair that can cost over $1,000. Early preparation prevents damage during the first unexpected cold snap.'
So, to cover your outside faucet and stop outdoor spigots from freezing, he suggests that you:
- Disconnect all the hoses and splitters.
- Shut off the interior supply valve.
- Open the outdoor spigot to drain water.
- Open the interior bleeder valve, if present.
- Install an insulated faucet cover. Ron recommends the Frost King Foam Faucet Cover, available at Amazon.
4. Weatherproof Windows and Doors
Next, it's also important to weatherproof your windows and fix drafty doors.
'Drafts significantly increase heat loss and energy costs, so it’s vital to check for and seal any gaps around your windows and doors before the cold weather sets in,' explains Ron. 'Start by sealing cracks or gaps around the window frames with a high-quality caulk, like silicone, then apply or replace the weatherstripping around the frame to create a tight seal.
'To replace weather stripping, choose the right type of weather stripping for your needs, such as adhesive-based foam tape, available at Amazon, V-strip or door sweeps. Remove the old weather stripping, clean the surface, and install the new strip according to the manufacturer’s instructions.'
Homes & Gardens' Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, recently dealt with a drafty front door, as it kept tripping the thermostat nearby, causing hot and cold spots in her house. She fixed it with an affordable under-door fix, and over time, this will also reduce energy costs.
5. Treat Driveways and Walkways for Cracks Before Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Finally, repair cracks in driveways and walkways before the 30th of November.
'Water seeps into tiny cracks,' explains Robert. 'Once temperatures drop below freezing, water expands and splits concrete further – creating large cracks, trip hazards, and costly spring repairs.'
To do so, he advises, clean debris from the cracks, apply a concrete crack filler, such as the Red Devil Concrete Repair Patch Cement Crack Filler available at Amazon, or LATEX-ITE Metal Black Asphalt Driveway Filler and Sealer available at Walmart, and use a squeegee to smooth.
Then, simply avoid driving on it for 24 hours.
What to Shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This carbon monoxide alarm uses electrochemical sensor technology to detect carbon monoxide gas, and is easy to install with no wiring and only two AA batteries, included, required.
This 31-inch, five-piece fireplace tool set includes everything you need to clean your fireplace and chimney, with a brush, poker, tongs, and shovel, crafted from wrought iron for long-lasting durability.
This faucet protector comes fully assembled and ready to insulate faucets to prevent winter freeze-ups. It's also reusable season after season, and small enough to conveniently store when not in use.
This waterproof silicone caulk sealant is mold and mildew-resistant, and won't crack or yellow over time, even in inclement weather. It's ready for water exposure in as little as 30 minutes.
This 33 ft length of weather stripping tape can be used to stop warmth escaping in winter, and help to keep a home cool in summer, and is made of non-toxic material that's safe for use around kids and pets.
This rubber-foam self-stick weatherstripping tape is super strong, with superior shock absorption. It's suitable for draft-proofing a living room, draft-proofing an entryway, and draft-proofing a bedroom.
Meet the Experts
If your driveway has started freezing over, adding sand instead of salt is a planet-friendly and reusable tip for instantly adding traction without backbreaking ice-breaking or shovelling.
This is a great time to get into a winter deep cleaning schedule, too.
