Fall is in full swing and winter is right around the corner, which is why it’s important to start preparing your home for the cold. Bernie Buchner in La Crosse, WI, knows that the winters in the Midwest can often be unforgiving, so they’ve gathered a few preventative home and plumbing maintenance tips for you.

If you want to ensure your home can handle whatever the Wisconsin winter chooses to throw at it, here are three maintenance tips you shouldn’t go without:

• Weather Strip Fixtures: Before the cold sets in, it’s important to ensure that all of your home’s doors, windows, and other fixtures are properly sealed. If you notice some drafty doors or windows, adding some extra sealant strips is a great way to ensure that the heat in your home won’t escape during the winter. If there are any cracks in your walls or ceilings, these can be sealed using caulk.
• Protect Your Pipes: One of the worst things that can happen to your home during winter is pipes freezing and bursting, then flooding your home. To avoid this, the plumbing and HVAC professionals from Bernie Buchner recommend covering all exposed piping with insulation, which can be purchased from a local hardware store. Additionally, on those sub-zero nights, let the taps in your home drip—this will also help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Install A Programmable Thermostat: If you want to make sure your home remains at a constant temperature while you’re away, the best way to do so is by installing a programmable thermostat. This technology allows you to adjust your home’s thermostat settings even while you’re out by simply connecting to it with your wireless device. Additionally, programmable thermostats will also help you save on energy costs.