Things to Check Off Your November Home Maintenance To-Do List that take just an Hour or Less

With Thanksgiving approaching and the winter holidays around the corner, there are things to look forward to (and prepare for) this time of year. What’s great about these home maintenance to-do’s is that they can all get checked off your list in just an hour or less.  So it will be easy to batten down the hatches for winter weather and get a jump on holiday prep, so you can relax and savor the simple pleasures of the season, like family dinners and walks in the crisp air outdoors.

1. Replace floor protectors on chairs. Don’t let dining chairs do damage to your hardwood floors: Check their feet and add or replace floor-protecting pads if needed. Felt pads come in self-adhesive and nail-in varieties; if you’re using the self-adhesive type, be sure to clean the base of each chair foot thoroughly and allow it to dry before applying.
2. Examine the sump pump. If you have a sump pump in your basement as protection in case of flooding, make sure it is working properly before the rainy season really gets going, and then repair or replace it if needed.
3. Check paths, stairs and railings for safety. Slips and falls on ice and snow can happen anywhere, but they’re even more likely if the footing is uneven or a railing isn’t sturdy. Take a walk around your home’s exterior, paying special attention to walkways, stairs and railings, and make repairs as needed.
4. Show some kindness to feathered friends. Nonmigrating birds can use extra help when wild food becomes scarce and water sources freeze. Stock up now on birdseed so you can keep those feeders full, and consider providing a water source as well — refresh it daily to prevent mosquitoes.

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