What Houston’s November Weather Reveals About Your Home

November in Houston is a strange season. One week it’s sunny and dry, the next you’re reaching for a jacket and wondering if your foundation just sighed. But those swings in temperature and moisture are good teachers—because this is when your home starts showing you what it needs.

Here are a few things Houston inspectors look for every year when the weather turns unpredictable:

1. Cracks that appear—or disappear.

When the clay soil under your home shifts with moisture changes, you might see small cracks open or close in drywall or brick. They’re clues to how your foundation is responding. A little movement is normal; patterns that grow or reappear are worth noting.

2. Doors that start sticking again.

If doors that worked fine all summer suddenly catch or don’t latch, it’s often the weather talking. Wood expands and contracts with humidity, but repeated issues in the same spot can point to slight structural shifts or humidity imbalance inside the home.

3. Windows that fog up in the morning.

Cool nights and warm, humid days mean condensation. A little on the glass is fine; between panes or along sills, not so much. Persistent moisture can lead to wood rot or mold, especially around older seals.

4. Gutters that finally get their test.

Those quick bursts of fall rain show whether your gutters are clear or not. Overflow near the foundation can mean clogged downspouts or settling soil—both worth fixing before heavier winter rains arrive.

5. The “cold corner” test.

Walk your house barefoot one cool morning. Notice cold spots near baseboards or around windows? That’s air infiltration—gaps where heat escapes and moisture sneaks in. Small fixes now save big energy later.

6. Roofs and attics after the first storm.

Houston’s early-winter showers are famous for finding weak spots. A quick attic check with a flashlight can reveal damp insulation, dark wood, or a faint musty smell—all early signs of a leak.

The nice thing about November is that these changes are subtle, not catastrophic. A little attention now keeps your home comfortable and solid through the short “winter” ahead—and saves you from the kind of surprises that prefer to show up on holidays.