Before the weather starts to drop below freezing, make sure to unscrew your hoses from outdoor spigots. If left screwed in, your pipes could freeze and burst. It is also best practice to drain your hoses and bring them indoors (like to a garage, shed, barn, etc).

Consider turning off your outdoor faucets to prevent waterline damage. Turning off the faucets will help reduce pressure in your pipes. This will also help reduce the risk of ice buildup. Pipes tend to burst at weak points, which can be caused from ice building up.

After 50-80 fires, a wood burning fireplace will need to be properly cleaned. This is a key task since build up can cause a flue fire. When tackling this task, make sure the damper works properly. You want to also check that there is no debris preventing the damper from opening and closing. Finally, remember to clean up any remaining ash that is sitting in the fireplace.

Prevent cold air from entering your home by adding weather strips to your doors and windows! This will also prevent heat from escaping through openings. It is important to focus on high traffic areas when preparing your home for the winter.

Before the winter is full force, gutters need to be cleaned out. If there are too many leaves, gutters may not be able to handle the weight of heavy snow. Also, check to make sure there are no cracks or holes in your gutters. Once the snow melts, gutters need to be able to drain properly.

Similar to checking your faucets and spigots, make sure to check your irrigation system. If you do not drain your irrigation system, elements like your sprinkler could freeze, expand and crack. Note that if you only turn off the irrigation, it is not enough to prevent the freezing, because of the remaining sitting water.

Taking steps to protect your outdoor furniture from harsh weather conditions can help extends its lifespan. To do this, you may have to remove cushions, if possible, and bring them indoors, away from water and moisture. If your furniture remains outdoors, make sure to cover it when it is completely moisture free, so that it does not mold.