Some tips from AAA on how to prevent frozen pipes and what you should do if one bursts

Preventing Frozen Pipes

• Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how it works.
• Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic.
• Seal gaps around pipes that allow cold air inside. You also should look for air leaks around electrical wiring, clothes dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
• Disconnect garden hoses. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance that pipes inside the house will freeze.
• If severe cold is in the forecast, consider allowing warm water to drip slightly overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Even a slight trickle may keep your pipes from freezing.
• When there is the possibility of a freeze, don’t turn down the thermostat at bedtime. Instead, maintain the same setting day and night. Temperature drops, which are more common overnight, could freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors. This will allow heat to reach uninsulated pipes located under sinks.
• If you’re going on vacation or leaving your home for an extended period, consider maintaining minimal heat to prevent freezing.