LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Summer-like weather has finally come to an end, and with Thursday's high just above freezing, you should be thinking about winterizing your home.
"You get ready for bad weather, for extreme temperatures. That means trying to stop any infiltration with any cold weather coming into your home," said Scott Taylor with Home Depot in Little Rock.
Taylor works closely every day with his customers and their building projects. But what about the houses already built, some years, maybe decades ago?
"Most important would be to fill any gaps or cracks around your windows and doors or your foundation."
That goes for gaps inside your house and outside.
"Secure your pipes on the outside with insulated cups that go on your spickets," said Taylor.
At Fuller & Son Hardware in downtown Little Rock, co-manager Aaron McCumpsey sells other inexpensive products including faucet protectors and insulation.
"[It] keeps your pipes from freezing and busting," said McCumpsey. "It gets expensive calling plumbers out."
Other things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing is to allow faucets in cold areas of the house to drip and open cabinet doors below sinks. Other openings such as windows and fireplaces can be heat thieves. Taylor said if you won't be using your fireplace, close the damper to keep your warm air inside.
"Energy is expensive and you want to slow down the transfer of hot and cold air," said Taylor. "You want to secure your warm air in your home!"
Taylor recommended having your home checked to find out where heat is escaping. Also, If you have a sprinkler system. You also want to remove the RPZ valve before freezing temperatures arrive later this week.