November home maintenance checklist

• Test alarms when the clocks fall back DIY
  Clocks go back on the first Sunday in November. Test every smoke and CO alarm and replace any past the expiry date printed on the back.
• Insulate pipes in unheated spaces DIY
  Wrap water pipes in crawlspaces, garages and along outside walls with foam pipe insulation before the first deep freeze. How to prevent frozen pipes →
• Look for frost or light in the attic DIY
  On a cold morning, check the attic for frost on nails and roof boards, or daylight around vents and the hatch. Both point to warm air leaking up. Insulation cost guide →
• Change the furnace filter DIY
  Heating season is in full swing. Replace the filter now, then check it monthly through winter.
• Get a second opinion before a furnace sale Plan
  Door-to-door sales of furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters are banned in Ontario unless you invited the company. Check any quote before you sign. Furnace quote checklist →
• Line up snow removal Plan
  Book a snow removal service or check your shovels, salt and snow blower now. Check your city's rules for clearing sidewalks.

General guidance for typical GTA houses. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions, and call a licensed pro for gas, electrical and anything on a roof.