Prevent Frozen Pipes

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.