Avoid costly repairs with this simple plumbing trick.
Key Points
- Letting faucets slowly drip in freezing weather keeps water moving, which helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
- Plumbers recommend using the slow drip method during long cold stretches, especially below 30 degrees or with strong wind chills.
- Dripping both hot and cold water at vulnerable faucets gives better protection than insulation alone during severe or extended freezes.
As temperatures drop below freezing, you may wonder how to keep the inner workings of your home protected from the frigid conditions, including your pipes. If you think the drip method is an old wives’ tale, think again.
“By keeping water moving, you continuously pull in warmer water from inside and/or underneath your home,” says Travis Hargrave of Hargrave’s Plumbing. “This water has thermal protection due to being underground and is often much warmer than what is inside your home.”
Ahead, our plumbing experts explain what the slow drip method is and how to use it in your own home to protect your pipes from freezing.
Meet Our Expert
- Lori Stickling, co-owner of Covenant Plumbing in Bloomington, Ill.
- Danny Reddick, licensed plumber, electrician, and HVAC technician and president of Reddick & Sons
- Travis Hargrave, owner of Hargrave’s Plumbing in Lafayette, La.
- Megan Doser, owner and CEO of Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric
Related: How to Know If Your Outdoor Pipes Need Insulating This Winter
What the Slow Drip Method Is and How It Works
The slow drip method for pipes involves letting a steady trickle of water drip from faucets during cold weather. It helps prevent pipes from freezing because moving water does not freeze as quickly as stationary water. “Even a slow, continuous drip keeps water in motion and makes it difficult for ice crystals to build up,” says Lori Stickling, co-owner of Covenant Plumbing.
When to Use the Slow Drip Method
For utmost caution, use the slow drip method when temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for above-ground homes and 26 degrees Fahrenheit for homes on a slab. “Often, we see customers with pipes freezing when there is cold wind (wind chill) that creates lower temperatures,” says Stickling. “Wind can blow cold air into spaces that are not well insulated and cause pipes to freeze more quickly than cold temperatures alone.”…