Knock Out These 10 Home Tasks Before the Freeze

November’s chill means it’s time to button up the house for winter. As a husband and dad, this month transforms me into the family handyman, focused on tuning up our home to handle the cold months ahead.

There’s a real peace of mind in knowing that our family space is nice and secure, especially when the frost starts to settle in. Whether it’s cleaning the gutters, checking the fire alarms, or wrapping the pipes, each task on my list is about maintaining our comfort and safety through winter.

Here are 10 crucial home maintenance tasks to get your nest winter-ready before the holiday hustle sets in.

Check Dryer and Hoses for Lint

Every handy dad knows the lint trap ritual after each laundry load, but that’s just the start. To prevent a potential fire hazard, it’s crucial to dig a bit deeper. Check your dryer and all connecting hoses for any lint accumulation that’s escaped the trap. This can build up over time and isn’t just a fire risk—it also reduces the efficiency of your dryer.

A good cleaning might take a little elbow grease, but it ensures the safety of your home and can even help your dryer run a bit smoother.

Wrap Up Your Pipes for Winter

Got a chill in the air? It’s time to think about your pipes. If you haven’t already wrapped your basement pipes, early November is your cue to get moving. Insulating your pipes is a surefire way to prevent them from freezing when the mercury drops.

And while you’re at it, consider installing a water leak detector. This gadget can be a real hero, catching any leaks early to avoid bigger, costlier damages during the winter months.

Winterize Your Greenery

When it comes to prepping your garden for the colder months, a little effort now can save your plants from a winter wipeout. DeBoer, home maintenance and power tool expert at Pro Tool Reviews, suggests that any delicate or half-hardy plants should be moved indoors or to a protected area. Always check these plants for pests before bringing them inside—trust me, you don’t want to deal with an infestation when everything’s housed closer together.

For the hardier species that will brave the winter outdoors, beef up their protection with some extra mulch or garden cloches. This not only helps retain soil warmth but also keeps those frosty fingers at bay.

Store or Cover Your Yard Furniture

While our outdoor furniture is built to endure the elements, winter can be a brutal season. I’ve learned that even the sturdiest patio sets can suffer from the relentless snow and frost. If you’ve got the storage space, tucking your furniture away in a shed or garage can extend its life by years.

For those pieces that have to stay out, like large benches or unwieldy tables, quality furniture covers are worth every penny.

Block Out Pests

As the temperatures start to dip, it’s not just us looking for a cozy spot—the critters are on the move too. Mice and other small pests can squeeze through tiny spaces, like those the size of a quarter. Now’s the time to walk around your home’s exterior and make sure you’re not hosting unwanted guests this winter. Check for any damage to roof tiles or attic vents and seal up holes where pipes and cables enter your home.

For a DIY fix, grab some wood putty or concrete caulking to patch up those holes. Remember, these materials take longer to cure as it gets colder, so don’t put this off. If you’re not up for the task, hiring a handyman or a painter to handle the patching can be a good investment, especially as they can cover a lot of ground quickly and efficiently.

Replace Weatherstripping

Drafts can be a major drain on your home’s warmth and your wallet, especially in the winter. Take a moment to check the seals around your windows, doors, and any vents. If you notice any peeling or gaps in the weatherstripping or caulk, it’s time for an update. For bigger gaps, consider using expanding foam, which you can find at any hardware store.

Krystal Rogers-Nelson, a home maintenance expert at ASecureLife.com, points out that properly sealing your home can save you between 5% and 30% on energy costs annually. Try turning off all the lights in your home at night and use a flashlight to spot any large cracks around doors and windows—that’ll show you where you need to focus.

When buying replacement strips, take a piece of the old weatherstripping with you to the store to make sure you get the right match. If the task seems daunting, think about hiring a professional. A thorough home energy audit might cost a bit, but the long-term savings on your energy bills can really add up.

Gutter and Downspout Maintenance

Every fall, clearing out the gutters is a top priority on my maintenance list. It’s not the most glamorous job, but letting leaves and debris pile up can really cause a headache when the rains come.

Make sure to scoop out all the gunk from your gutters and check the downspouts are clear and directing water well away from your house’s foundation. Adding gutter guards might seem like an upfront expense, but they save a lot of time by keeping those gutters clear for longer.

Kris Simpson from Honest Home Inspections suggests considering gutter de-icing cables too. These are a game-changer for preventing ice dams and the havoc they can wreak on your roof. Best to get them in place before the frost sets in—they’re a budget-friendly buy at your local home improvement store.

Check the Roof

While you’re up there checking the gutters, it’s a perfect time to give the roof a once-over too. Look for any damaged or missing shingles and tackle those repairs now to avoid leaks when snow and rain hit. It’s all about keeping the elements where they belong—outside.

Kris Simpson also recommends keeping the roof clear of leaves and debris. When branches and leaves accumulate, they trap moisture. This can lead to water pooling and eventually seeping under the shingles, causing damage to your insulation, ceilings, and walls, not to mention the potential for mold.

Weatherproofing Your Home

Every November, I make sure to walk through our home to find any spots where cold air might sneak in. It’s a simple step that really pays off, keeping our place warm without cranking up the heat too high.

Check around your windows, doors, and any spots where different materials meet, like baseboards or where the wall touches the ceiling. A little caulk or weather stripping can go a long way in cutting down those energy bills—savings could be as much as 30% per year.

For spotting those harder-to-find leaks, here’s a tip: at night, have someone go outside with a flashlight while you stay inside. Have them shine the light around doors and windows. Where you see light creep in, that’s your culprit.

For smaller leaks, try the candle trick—light one and hold it near suspected areas. Any flicker, and you’ve found a draft.

Test Your Alarms

Twice a year, I make it my job to check our smoke detectors, and November’s one of those times—right when we adjust the clocks. You might not realize it, but dead batteries are responsible for nearly a quarter of smoke alarm failures. It’s a simple check that gives me peace of mind, knowing the family’s safe.

If you’re forgetful like I can be, aligning smoke detector maintenance with daylight saving changes is a helpful trick. Just remember, if you’re in a place without daylight saving time, set a biannual reminder on your phone.