Freezing temperatures are in the forecast. While you're thinking about keeping your animals and tender vegetation safe, you should also be making sure frozen pipes won't ruin your home. A frozen pipe can cause thousands of dollars of damage in a short period of time.

To keep your home safe, State Farm recommends the following:

• Disconnect garden hoses before cold weather comes. A connected hose could cause the short length of pipe that goes into the house to freeze.

• Insulate pipes in the attic and crawl spaces.

  

• When freezing weather hits, allow a slow drip from hot and cold faucets. This will relieve pressure on the system and allow water to circulate.

• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to pipes.

• Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.

• Consider a leak alarm or automatic water shutoff system.

If a pipe does freeze and burst, make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water shutoff valve is.

Source:

Kip Diggs, State Farm