Make sure your empty house is ready for winter.

If you have a vacation home that you'll be vacating this winter, or if you'll simply be away visiting family for the holidays, you may want to make plans now to winterize your home's plumbing.

Every home is different, and an item considered a must-do in Maine could probably be considered a bit excessive in Florida. However, just jetting away without doing anything could be a huge mistake.

The ideal scenario would include bringing in a plumber to address all of your home's hibernation needs. But if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, make sure you address these important items.

- Turn off the plumbing at the main line. Even if there is no chance of freezing weather, you'd hate to come home to a plumbing emergency like a busted washer line or an overflowed toiled (it can happen).

- Drain and store all your outside hoses. Cover your exterior faucets with insulation.

- Drain the water in your pipes' supply lines and traps. (Here's one of those things that a pro should probably help you with.)

- Pour a bit of non-toxic antifreeze into all the toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains. You can usually pick this up at RV centers or marine supply shops. You should also consider putting RV anti-freeze into your dishwasher, ice-maker, and automatic washer as they all hold water and could freeze and split the pumps and/or motors. ARS/Rescue Rooter professionals also pump the anti-freeze into the water lines to reach the pockets of water that do not blow out.

- If you have a pool, close it. And if you have a pool, you know what this entails.

- Try covering all your toilet bowls with plastic wrap. This prevents evaporation and keeps any sewer gases from creeping in.

Tackle these things and your home will be pretty well covered. However, for more plumbing help, call your local Rescue Rooter service pro to answer all your plumbing questions.