What your home needs in November

Black mould in corners and behind furniture is usually condensation, sometimes a leak or rising damp. Find the cause before treating the walls.

Press the test button on every alarm. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm near any boiler, fire or log burner.

Misting between the panes means the seal has gone. The glass unit can be replaced without changing the frame.

January is the time to get quotes for a new kitchen, bathroom or extension: trades book up for spring.

Do big cutting before the bird nesting season starts in March. Check first if a tree is protected or you're in a conservation area.

Use a registered waste carrier: if your rubbish is fly tipped, you can be fined.

Black mould in corners and behind furniture is usually condensation, sometimes a leak or rising damp. Find the cause before treating the walls.

Do big cutting before the bird nesting season starts in March. Check first if a tree is protected or you're in a conservation area.

Mouldy or split silicone lets water behind tiles and into ceilings below. Resealing is a quick job.

Moss holds water against tiles and washes into gutters, blocking them.

Moss holds water against tiles and washes into gutters, blocking them.

Winter winds loosen posts and panels. Fix them before spring growth hides the damage.

Weeding, edging, the first lawn cut and pruning now sets the garden up for summer.

Weeding, edging, the first lawn cut and pruning now sets the garden up for summer.

Fascias, sills and doors need a dry spell to paint. Good painters book up early in spring.

Jet washing and re-sanding joints keeps paving safe and stops weeds taking hold.

Fascias, sills and doors need a dry spell to paint. Good painters book up early in spring.

Jet washing and re-sanding joints keeps paving safe and stops weeds taking hold.

Treat decking once a year and replace soft boards before someone goes through one.

Slow sinks and a smell from outside drains usually mean a partial blockage. Clearing it early is far cheaper than a collapse.

Fascias, sills and doors need a dry spell to paint. Good painters book up early in spring.

Treat decking once a year and replace soft boards before someone goes through one.

Press the test button on every alarm. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm near any boiler, fire or log burner.

An electrical installation condition report every 10 years (5 if you rent out) finds worn wiring and missing protection.

Summer is the easiest time to paint inside: it dries fast and you can air the rooms.

The recommended depth is about 270mm. Topping up is one of the cheapest ways to cut heating bills, and it's easier before the loft gets cold.

An electrical installation condition report every 10 years (5 if you rent out) finds worn wiring and missing protection.

Summer is the easiest time to paint inside: it dries fast and you can air the rooms.

A yearly service by a Gas Safe engineer keeps most boiler warranties valid and finds faults before the first cold snap, when engineers are busiest.

If you use an open fire or log burner, sweep it before the season starts: soot and nests cause chimney fires and carbon monoxide.

The recommended depth is about 270mm. Topping up is one of the cheapest ways to cut heating bills, and it's easier before the loft gets cold.

A yearly service by a Gas Safe engineer keeps most boiler warranties valid and finds faults before the first cold snap, when engineers are busiest.

If you use an open fire or log burner, sweep it before the season starts: soot and nests cause chimney fires and carbon monoxide.

Slipped or missing tiles and tired flashing let water in during the first big storm. Look from the ground with binoculars, and get anything loose fixed now.

Cold at the top means air in the system. Bleeding takes a radiator key and ten minutes. If they stay cold at the bottom, the system may need a flush.

Draughts round doors, windows and letterboxes are cheap to fix and make rooms noticeably warmer.