Winter is tough on plumbing. When temperatures drop below freezing, pipes can freeze and burst — causing thousands in water damage. Here's how to keep your pipes safe:

Insulate Exposed Pipes
Pipes in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, and attics are most vulnerable. Wrap them with foam pipe insulation available at any hardware store.

Keep the Heat On
If you're going away, keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F (13°C). The cost of heating is far less than repairing burst pipes.

Let Faucets Drip
During extremely cold nights, let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Moving water is less likely to freeze.

Open Cabinet Doors
Under sinks on exterior walls, open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Know Your Shutoff Valve
In case pipes do freeze or burst, know exactly where your main water shutoff valve is so you can turn it off immediately.