To begin with, you should ensure that all outdoor plumbing has been prepared. This involves draining and storing any hoses or outdoor water distribution systems you have in place. These should be stored somewhere the cold won’t affect them too much. However, if they are properly drained and stored, this should not be much of an issue.

This one might seem like it should go without saying, but that is not the case. Many plumbing issues start small and grow over time. Because of this, many homeowners don’t deal with such plumbing issues until they have already become full-blown problems. However, with winter coming, it is important to make sure your plumbing is fully functional.

Check your plumbing for leaks, rusting, corrosion, and any other issues. Then, anything that shows even the beginnings of a problem should be repaired. This will help ensure you get through the winter without any major plumbing issues.

This tip is absolutely crucial. It is extremely important for homeowners to wrap and insulate any pipes that are located in areas that will not be heated during the winter. A good example of this might be a sun room that you use in the summer, but which gets more or less shut down during the winter. The room, if not heated, will become cold and so will the pipes, which could lead to them being damaged during the wintertime. This is also very important to consider for pipes located in basements or garages, which are not likely to be heated.

It is also a good idea to have your water heater prepared professionally for the winter. This might involve draining it. Water heaters are big purchases and will be something you want to protect from winter damage.

Finally, and perhaps obviously, it is important to keep your house warm. If you keep your house warm, your pipes will be warm and their functionality will continue much as it did during the summer months.