Turn Off Outdoor Faucets As the weather turns from warm to immediately freezing here in Illinois these days, homeowners need to start think about properly winterizing their homes. On the very top of this list of things to do is taking care of outdoor hoses and sprinkler systems. Lawn and Garden hoses and all sprinklers should be disconnected, rolled up, and stored for the winter in your garage or basement. Second, shut off all outdoor faucets but first let any remaining water drain out. Once the faucet is shut off and drained, leave your faucet on until warmer weather is consistent, usually in the Spring. Make Sure Your Home’s Pipes Are Insulated One thing you can do when taking extra precautions to winterize your home's plumbing is to purchase a roll of thick insulation that you can wrap around your pipes. This insulation is made of fiberglass or polyethylene, and can be purchased online or at a hardware store or Menard's, Home Depot , etc. For even more extra protection from...