In winter, one of the most common issues during freezing temperatures is frozen pipes, which can burst and cause significant water damage. But don't worry — preventing frozen pipes doesn't require complicated tools or a lot of time.

We can show you how to drip your faucets correctly with every detail in just five minutes to avoid frozen pipes in the cold winter.

The Risks of Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are more than just an inconvenience—they can cause costly and severe damage to your home. When water freezes inside pipes, it expands, putting immense pressure on the walls.

This pressure can cause the pipe to crack or even burst, resulting in:

• Flooding: A burst pipe can release gallons of water into your home, damaging floors, walls, furniture, and personal belongings.
• Expensive Repairs: Fixing a burst pipe and addressing water damage can cost thousands of dollars.
• Loss of Water Supply: Frozen pipes block the flow of water, leaving you without access to running water when you need it most.

Some homes are more vulnerable to frozen pipes, especially if they have:

• Poorly Insulated Pipes: Exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, or crawl spaces are at a higher risk.
• Outdoor Faucets: These are particularly susceptible to freezing if not properly winterized.
• Extreme Winter Weather: Homes in regions with harsh winters face a greater likelihood of frozen pipes.

By taking preventative steps like dripping your faucets in cold weather, you can avoid the stress and expense of dealing with frozen or burst pipes. <Also learn how to fix low water pressure in sink>

When to Start Dripping Faucets

Knowing the right time to start dripping your faucets can make all the difference in preventing frozen pipes. The key is to act before the temperature drops too low.

Here's what you need to know about when you should let your faucet drip and the temperature to drip faucets:

Watch the Temperature

Start dripping your faucets when the outside temperature approaches 32°F (0°C) or lower. This is the temperature to drip faucets.

Pipes are most vulnerable to freezing when temperatures stay below freezing for extended periods, especially at night when it's coldest.

Act Before the Cold Strikes

Drip faucet to prevent freezing. Don't wait for pipes to freeze! If you see a cold snap in the weather forecast, take action early. Preparing your faucets before freezing temperatures hit will save you from dealing with frozen pipes later.

How to Properly Drip a Faucet in Cold Winter

Dripping your faucets in cold weather is simple, but doing it the right way ensures maximum protection against frozen pipes. Follow these steps to properly drip your faucets in cold winter in just five minutes:

Which Faucets Should You Drip?

• Focus on faucets connected to pipes that run along exterior walls or through unheated areas like basements or attics.
• Don't forget outdoor faucets— these should be winterized or allowed to drip if connected to pipes that might freeze.

Turn On a Cold Water Drip

• Set your faucet to drip cold water, as it uses less energy and is just as effective as hot water.
• The drip doesn't need to be heavy. A steady trickle or slow drip is sufficient to keep water moving and prevent freezing.

Leave Water Dripping on Until Temperatures Are Above Freezing

• Keep the water dripping as long as freezing temperatures persist.
• If temperatures to drip faucets are expected to stay below freezing for multiple days, maintain the drip continuously.

Check for Frozen Pipes

• If you suspect a pipe is already frozen, look for signs like no water flow, visible frost on pipes, or strange noises when turning on faucets.
• Do not turn the water flow completely off, as it could increase the chance of ice forming in the pipes.

By following these steps, you'll help prevent frozen pipes and the costly damage they can cause.

The Cost of Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets during freezing weather can slightly increase your water bill, but it's a small price to pay compared to the potential cost of repairing burst pipes.

Here's what you need to know about how much to drip a faucet to prevent freezing:

How Much Water Does a Dripping Faucet Use?

A slow drip uses about 1 gallon of water per hour, which adds up to 24 gallons per day per faucet.

If you have multiple faucets dripping, this amount will increase. But it's still manageable compared to the cost of water damage.

Cost Comparison: Dripping vs. Burst Pipes

The average cost of water from a dripping faucet is minimal. It is usually a few dollars extra on your monthly water bill.

On the other hand, repairing a burst pipe and addressing water damage can cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the inconvenience and stress involved.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

Dripping cold water is more energy-efficient than using hot water. It reduces the strain on your water heater, keeping energy costs lower.

While dripping faucets may slightly increase your water usage, the peace of mind and protection against expensive repairs make it a worthwhile investment.

Additional Tips for Preventing Pipes from Freezing

Leave water dripping is an effective step, but there are more precautions you can take for preventing pipes from freezing. Here are some additional tips for avoiding frozen pipes and ensure your plumbing stays safe during freezing weather:

Open Cabinet Doors

• Leave cabinet doors under sinks open to allow warm air circulation around pipes.
• This is especially important for sinks located along exterior walls, where pipes are more exposed to cold temperatures.

Insulate Exposed Pipes in Unheated Areas

• Use foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or pipe wraps to protect pipes in unheated areas, like basements, attics, garages, or crawl spaces.
• For an extra layer of protection, wrap pipes with towels or blankets to avoid frozen pipes during extreme cold.

Maintain Indoor Temperatures

• Keep your home's thermostat set to at least 55°F (13°C)at all times, even when you're away.
• Avoid turning down the heat at night during freezing weather to ensure consistent warmth throughout the home.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets is a simple way to prevent frozen pipes. But there are a few common mistakes that can reduce their effectiveness. Here's what to avoid:

Only Dripping One Faucet

Dripping just one faucet might not be enough to protect your entire plumbing system. <Check S-trap and P-trap differences>

Ensure you drip faucets located along exterior walls, in unheated areas, and at the farthest points from your main water supply to keep water flowing throughout the system.

Neglecting Outdoor Faucets

Outdoor faucets are often the first to freeze and should never be overlooked.

If outdoor faucets aren't winterized or allowed to drip, they can freeze and lead to ice blockages in connected indoor pipes.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure your efforts to protect your home are successful.

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions about dripping faucets in cold weather, along with straightforward answers to help clear up any confusion:

How much water should I let drip?

A good drip to aim for is five to ten droplets per minute. It's because this will be enough to keep the water flowing but will not waste water or risk flooding. <Also see if bathroom water is safe to drink>

Which faucets should I drip?

Focus on faucets located:

• Along exterior walls, where pipes are exposed to colder temperatures.
• In unheated areas, like basements, garages, or attics.
• At the farthest point from your water supply, keep water flowing through the entire system.

Is it better to cover outside faucets or let them drip?

Yes. Covering outdoor faucets with insulated covers is better than letting your faucets drip. Outdoor spigots should be winterized by disconnecting hoses, draining water, and using covers to protect them from freezing temperatures.

Do I need to call a plumber to drip faucets in the winter?

No, dripping faucets is a simple DIY task that doesn't require professional help. However, if you notice signs of frozen or burst pipes, you should turn off your home's water supply at the main shut-off valve and then contact a plumber.

How fast of a drip do you need to keep pipes from freezing?

• Outside faucets: Drip them 24 hours a day (5 drops a minute).
• Inside faucets: Let water drip slowly, both hot and cold.

Conclusion

Preventing frozen pipes doesn't have to be complicated. By taking simple steps like dripping your faucets in cold weather, insulating exposed pipes, and maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, you can protect your home from costly damage during freezing weather.   

Please remember, don't wait for the first signs of freezing to act. Take these steps now to avoid the stress and expense of burst pipes.

Need professional help to winterize your home or repair existing plumbing issues? Jabra Sanitary is the top choice. We offer you reliable installation and repairing services, providing expert guidance on how to drip a faucet in cold weather in just five minutes for a hassle-free experience.

More Reading

• What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze
• A Homeowner's Guide to Frozen Pipes
• Frozen Pipes Prevention and Thawing Tips