How much water should drip to keep pipes from freezing

Wrapping up a pipe can keep it from freezing

One of the biggest concerns during freezing temperatures is protecting your pipes.

Here's the issue: As water freezes it expands. That expansion can put pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. The expansion - particularly the increase in pressure from ice build up - can cause pipes containing the water to burst.

The biggest issue is with pipes that are exposed to the extreme cold, such as water supply lines in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing - and bursting.

Here's what you need to do to make sure you don't end up with frozen pipes - and a giant mess. Tips are from the Red Cross:

Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors and make sure you've closed inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Disconnect your hose and keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.

You can use a "pipe sleeve" like those sold at home repair stores or even heat tape other specially made products to protect exposed water pipes. Even newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes.

Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.

Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much costlier repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

And the most important question...should you leave a faucet dripping?

Yes, it's recommended you leave a faucet on with water at a drip to keep pipes from freezing. If you know where the water comes into your house, turn on a faucet at the opposite end to keep the water circulating. You don't have to leave a stream of water running, a drip can help prevent (but not totally eliminate) bursting pipes.

What to do if you suspect a frozen pipe

If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. If that happens, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you think your pipe has burst, turn off the water the home's main shut-off valve but leave the faucets turned on before calling in your plumber.

How to thaw frozen pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

Seal any leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located. This is an issue around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

One of the easiest ways to prevent frozen pipes this winter is by leaving the drainage system on a slow drip. This means keeping one or more faucets on at around five to ten droplets per minute to alleviate pressure in the plumbing system.

Sinks, showers, and other faucets are all great candidates for this winterizing process.

It sounds easy, but homeowners should follow Warner Service's tips for the best process. This includes knowing the appropriate time to drip the faucets. Here's a list of the few times when it's important to leave the inside faucets on a slow drip to prevent freezing this winter.

Before Freezing Weather Occurs

An important time to drip your home faucets is before freezing weather occurs. For example, if you know that the overnight temperature is planning on dropping to an alarming 32 degrees Fahrenheit, leave a faucet or two on a slow drip throughout the night. As a hint, if you’ve left it to the right amount of drips-per-minute, the dripping won't be loud and should be barely noticeable.

By doing this, you sleep soundly knowing that you took plumbing precautions and won’t need to keep waking up to check the dropping temperature. This is also a good idea if you know cold weather is going to hit overnight or while you’re at work, out to dinner, or otherwise not thinking about your home’s plumbing system for a long period of time.

During Ice, Snow & Sub-Freezing Temperatures

It's important to drip the faucet during sub-freezing temperatures, ice storms, and any degree of snow. Keeping that faucet drip shouldn't be too big of a plumbing problem, but here’s what you need to know.

The most crucial faucets to drip during extremely cold weather include those that align an outside wall or are in a non-heated area of your home. For most homes, this includes a kitchen or bathroom sink or tub. You might also consider areas like utility rooms, attics, laundry rooms, or garage sinks as prime candidates for drip duty.

When You're Going Out Of Town

Are you planning on going out of town for the holidays this winter? Leave a water faucet that's located as far away from where water enters your home on a slow drip. The reason the location matters is that being far away from the source requires the entire system to be pressurized and prevents freezing.

Also, keep the programmable thermostat set no lower than 58 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure warm, circulating air and not-frozen pipes. Also, ask a friend or family member to stop by and check for any plumbing problems every few days - especially if you know cold temperatures, ice, or snow are in the forecast while you're away.

Other Important Plumbing Tips To Know

Dripping the faucets is one weather precaution you need to take to keep plumbing problems from occurring. Insulate all exterior and interior piping that has the potential to freeze, and take caution before bad weather strikes by draining and cleaning the hot water heater, checking for existing leaks, and getting the advice of a trained professional plumber if you notice any plumbing problems.

Do you need help with winterizing your home? Do you want to ensure your home’s plumbing is in top shape this winter? Do you have a plumbing emergency that needs immediate attention?

Contact our knowledgeable and friendly team at Warner Service today to schedule a plumbing appointment. You can also subscribe to our weekly blog for more tips. Click on the button below to get started:

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