Dripping faucets during a freeze prevents pipes from bursting. It relieves pressure and keeps the water moving. Drip the faucet farthest from the water source when it freezes. This is especially important during prolonged cold spells or power outages. It’s a simple, effective way to avoid costly water damage.
Let’s dive in.
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ToggleWhy You Should Drip Faucets During a Freeze?
Dripping faucets during a freeze prevents pipes from bursting. It relieves pressure and keeps water flowing. This simple step protects your home from costly damage. Drip the faucet farthest from your water source. Insulate exposed pipes for safety during freezing temperatures.
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Why Dripping Faucets Prevents Frozen Pipes
When temperatures drop below 32°F, the water inside your pipes is at risk of freezing. As water freezes, it expands—creating immense pressure that can cause pipes to burst. Burst pipes are a leading cause of winter property damage, says the Insurance Information Institute. Repair costs average over $10,000 for homeowners and are much higher for businesses.

A dripping faucet reduces this risk in two key ways:
- Relieving Pressure: A trickle of water prevents pressure build-up in the pipe. This reduces the chance of a rupture.
- Preventing Freezing: Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water. Extreme conditions can freeze flowing water. But, a small drip protects most residential plumbing systems.
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How to Drip Faucets Correctly
Dripping faucets isn’t just about turning on the tap and hoping for the best. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Choose the Right Faucet
Drip the faucet farthest from your home’s water source. This ensures that water moves through the entire system, protecting all the pipes along the way.
2. Set the Drip to a Steady Trick
A slow, steady drip is sufficient. Avoid a constant stream as it wastes water unnecessarily.
3. Open Both Hot and Cold Water Lines
If your faucet has separate hot and cold handles, open both slightly. This helps protect all the pipes connected to your water heater as well.
4. Focus on Vulnerable Areas
Pipes located in uninsulated areas such as basements, attics, or exterior walls are most at risk. Pay extra attention to these zones during a freeze.
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When to Drip Faucets
Knowing when to start dripping faucets is crucial. Generally, you should take action:
- When Temperatures Dip Below Freezing: Pipes start to freeze when temperatures hit 20°F or lower. But, poorly insulated pipes can freeze even at higher temperatures.
- During Prolonged Cold Spells: Extended periods of freezing weather increase the risk of frozen pipes.
- In Power Outages: Without heat, indoor temperatures can quickly drop below freezing, putting your pipes at risk.
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Why I Always Drip Faucets
A few winters ago, my family learned the hard way about the importance of dripping faucets. During an unexpected freeze, we neglected to leave our faucets running. The result? A burst pipe in our garage, leading to water damage that took weeks to repair.
Since then, I’ve made it a habit to prepare for freezing weather by dripping faucets and insulating exposed pipes. It’s a small effort that saves big in the long run.
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Additional Tips to Protect Your Pipes
While dripping faucets is effective, it’s just one part of winter-proofing your plumbing. Consider these complementary strategies:
1. Insulate Pipes
Wrap pipes in unheated areas with foam insulation. This is especially critical for exposed pipes in basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
2. Open Cabinet Doors
Allow warm air to circulate around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open under sinks.
3. Seal Drafts
Inspect your home for drafts near pipes and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
4. Cover Outdoor Faucets
Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor spigots with insulated covers to prevent freezing.
5. Keep Your Thermostat Steady
Maintain a consistent temperature of at least 60°F, even if you’re away from home.
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Common Myths About Dripping Faucets
- Myth 1: All Faucets Must Drip: In reality, dripping one or two strategically chosen faucets is enough.
- Myth 2: Dripping Faucets Waste Too Much Water: The amount of water wasted is minimal compared to the cost of repairing frozen pipes.
- Myth 3: Moving Water Alone Prevents Freezing: While motion helps, the key benefit of dripping is reducing pressure in the system.
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What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze
Even with precautions, pipes can freeze during extreme weather. If this happens:
- Turn Off the Main Water Supply: This prevents additional pressure from causing a burst.
- Open Faucets: Relieve pressure and allow melting water to flow.
- Apply Heat: Use a hairdryer or heating pad to gently warm frozen sections of pipe. Never use open flames..
If the pipe bursts, shut off the main water supply immediately and call a plumber.
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The Environmental Impact of Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets waste some water. But, it’s better than the impact of repairing burst pipes. That uses more water and energy. If you’re concerned, consider collecting dripping water to use for plants or cleaning.
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Final Thoughts
Dripping faucets during a freeze is a small step with big benefits. It’s an easy, low-cost way to protect your home from the costly and inconvenient damage caused by frozen pipes. As someone who has experienced the aftermath of not taking this precaution, I can confidently say it’s worth the effort.
So the next time freezing weather is in the forecast, remember to turn on that steady drip. Your plumbing—and your wallet—will thank you.