We spoke once before about heat-tape. You may have said that this was something that you were going to do this summer is just about over. That means you are quickly running out of time. Some parts of the country have already had their first cold front come through. As you look for heat tape make sure it is long enough in order to reach an outlet. Depending on your location within the country you may want to consider wrapping them in pipe insulation. The insulation that I think is the best is the kind that is already formed in a cylinder. You merely buy enough to fit your width and length of pipe. You will need to tape the ends together when they meet and you should probably also tape the lengthwise seam as well.
You should also check your external faucets. Make sure that they are they freeze-proof type. The easiest way to tell is if the stem of the valve is about 10 inches long. These faucets are designed to let water drain away rather then holding it in and letting it freeze. If the faucet does not seem to be working properly you can try to repair it but it is usually just much easier to just replace it. I personally think it is more cost effective as well.
Also, you may want to take some time to look into your sprinkler system. If you have a drain line that allows for evaporation you can open that up as soon as you shut down your system. If you do not, or leave in a part of the country that wouldn't work that way, you can check with a sprinkler company to see if they blow out sprinkler systems. This is a process of hooking up an air compressor to your system and actually "blowing" the water out of the lines.
This would also be a good time to start digging up your storm windows, check your furnace filter, and see if your furnace blower motor needs oil. Good luck.
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