--- title: "Bob Vila’s 10 “Must Do” Projects for November" description: "We're getting our kitchens and bedrooms ready for holiday celebrations in November—and completing key tasks to help keep us safe and warm this winter." date: "2022-10-24" modified: "2025-10-24" authors: - name: "Bob Vila" job_title: "Founder" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/must-dos-november/" categories: - "DIY" tags: - "DIY" - "Monthly Must-Dos" - "News" --- # Bob Vila’s 10 “Must Do” Projects for November ![Young woman wearing a wool cap and heavy jacket collects long branches for firewood.]() *Photo: Marijana via Adobe Stock* For many of us, November marks the beginning of a season filled with house guests, nonstop holiday cooking, and cozy nights indoors. It's also the last chance for cold-region dwellers to finish last-minute outdoor maintenance and garden projects. Get ready for whatever this month brings by taking on these timely tasks. ## 1. Install a programmable thermostat. ![Hand turning a home thermostat knob to set temperature.]() *Photo: Olivier Le Moal via Adobe Stock* Installing a programmable thermostat puts savings on automatic: It's another task you won't have to remember to do yourself. The [U.S. Department of Energy]() estimates that homeowners can save about 10 percent on their heating costs by turning their thermostats down 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day. If you work outside the home, automatically setting your thermostat to a lower temperature while you're gone should be a no-brainer. The [Google Nest Learning Thermostat](), the Best Overall pick in our [tested guide to the best programmable thermostats](), can be controlled via Alexa, Google Assistant, or the thermostat's dial interface. Nest learns quickly when you're home (and want the heat on) and when you're away (and don't), and builds an [ideal winter thermostat schedule]() accordingly. ## 2. Insulate the attic. ![Worker among attic insulation and ventilation.]() *Photo: Tomasz Zajda via Adobe Stock* [Attic insulation]() is your home's first line of defense against drafts and inefficient heating. Without proper insulation, up to 25 percent of the heat you pump into your home will escape through the roof. When choosing which [type of insulation]() is best for your attic, consider the age of your home, and the region in which you live. An [insulation's R-value]() measures how well insulation keeps out the cold. For residents of the northern U.S., insulation manufacturer [Johns Manville]() recommends that attic insulation have an R-value of at least 38; an R-value of 49 to 60 is even better. ## 3. Equip the kitchen with a fire extinguisher. ![Puzzled woman reading the text on the side of a fire extinguisher.]() *Photo: iStock* Americans are getting ready to put their ovens and stovetops to work this month. Here's an important reminder as you start your holiday prep: More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. Make sure you're ready for whatever comes your way by keeping a [fire extinguisher]() close at hand the kitchen, and letting the cooks know where it's kept. Also check the pressure of your current fire extinguishers, and [replace any old or damaged units](). ## 4. Hang the Holiday Lights ![Man decorating house with Christmas lights outdoors, closeup.]() *Photo: Olga Yastremska, Africa Images via Adobe Stock* There's some debate over when to [hang the Christmas lights,]() but many of us waste no time and flip the switch on Thanksgiving weekend. One of the best reasons to hang lights in November is that the (slightly) warmer weather makes this outside job easier to do. Whenever you choose to light up the yard, check all cords for fraying, and dispose of any damaged strings. Plug the lights into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of electrical fires, and turn them off before you go to sleep. We like the idea of hanging [Govee's outdoor strip lights](), which you can [leave up year-round]() and change the colors and patterns to suit different holidays. Our [tested guide to the best Christmas lights]() has some other great choices, too. ## 5. Prep Pipes for Winter ![Installing of heating tape for home plumbing system in rural house. ]() *Photo: Vladimir Grigorev via Adobe Stock* When they are exposed to extreme temperatures, under- or non-insulated pipes, especially those that run along an exterior wall or an unheated garage, can freeze and cause major problems. To protect your pipes, first ensure that your walls are adequately insulated. You may also consider wrapping specialized [heating cables]() or [heating tape]() around water pipes that run along exterior walls. Heating tape can be plugged into an outlet, which will heat the water in your [pipes to prevent freezing and bursting](). Avoid installing heating tape inside walls, ceiling, or floors, where it can pose a fire hazard. ## 6. Stock Up on Firewood ![Man in red flannel shirt splits wood with a hatchet next to the bunch of trees]() *Photo: Marko Zelen via Adobe Stock* Gathering the family around the fireplace is one of the good things about cold weather. Before you strike a match, make sure you have plenty of firewood on hand for the season. Seasoned hardwood, like oak or ash, is generally the [best wood for burning in the fireplace](). ## 7. Get the Guest Room Ready ![A guest bedroom door ajar, with a bed inside room and a "Be our guest" sign on the door.]() *Photo: iStock* If you'll be playing host to friends and family this season, now's the time to get the guest bedroom in good shape. A fresh coat of paint or new bedding can make the space more inviting and won’t break the bank. Don't have a spare bedroom? Alternative [guest bed ideas](), like cots, [air mattresses](), or pull-out sofas, can quickly turn any room into a bedroom. ## 8. Care for Your Kitchen's Surfaces ![Closeup of a hand treating a wooden cutting board with mineral oil. ]() *Photo: Kislev via Adobe Stock* Given the extra time you and your family will be spending in the kitchen through the end of the year, odds are higher that your countertops will see more spills, stains, and scratches than usual. The best ways to protect these surfaces depend on their composition: While materials like quartz and laminate only need regular cleaning with an all-purpose spray, countertops made of butcher block, marble, and [granite should be sealed]() in order to resist stains (and warping, in the case of butcher block). Once your countertops are protected, move on to cleaning your cutting boards: Plastic boards can be sanitized in the dishwasher; [clean wood cutting boards]() with vinegar or, if stained, salt and half a lemon. Condition wood cutting boards with a food-safe mineral oil. ## 9. Insulate the Water Heater ![An insulating silver blanket on a hot water heater.]() *Photo: Amazon* Your [water heater]() is probably installed in an unheated environment, like a basement or a garage. Insulating your appliance is an absolute must to prevent it from losing heat. Choose an insulating [water heater blanket]() that's the right size for your tank, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. This quick task could save you 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs, and pay for itself in about a year. ## 10. Clean Your Cooking Appliances ![Woman wearing yellow cleaning gloves sprays homemade degreaser on a stove top.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Your kitchen will likely be getting a lot of use over the Thanksgiving holiday, which is why now is the time to minimize the risk of grease fires. Make sure to [clean your stove drip pans]() and the stove top itself; go ahead and [clean the oven](), too, and whip up a nontoxic, fume-free mix of baking soda, water, and vinegar. Don't use the self-clean function on your oven right before the big day: Self-cleaning puts strain on your appliance and could result in a maintenance call, or worse. ## Author Bob Vila is America's Handyman. As a TV host, author, spokesperson, builder and historic preservationist, he has been heavily involved in construction and remodeling for the better part of a half century. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Pinterest]() [Facebook]() [Instagram]()