Does The “Drip Method” Actually Work? Here’s What Experts Say
I think we all get that knot in our stomach when we see the weather forecast turn deep blue. The idea of waking up to a burst pipe and a flooded kitchen is a genuine nightmare for any homeowner. You hear so much conflicting advice from neighbors and the internet about what to do. One of the most common tips is to leave your faucets dripping. It sounds wasteful and annoying but it might actually save your home.
What The Drip Method Actually Is
The concept is incredibly simple. You just crack your faucet open slightly so a steady trickle of water flows out instead of keeping it shut tight. The idea is to keep the water inside your pipes moving constantly. We usually think of water freezing when it is still like a pond versus a flowing river. While that is part of it, the real magic is actually about pressure relief rather than just temperature.
Why It Stops The Pipe From Bursting
Here is the science part that I found really interesting. When water freezes it expands. If an ice blockage forms in your pipe, the pressure builds up behind that ice chunk. That pressure is actually what causes the pipe to crack or explode, not the ice itself. By letting the faucet drip, you are giving that built up pressure a safe escape route. It is like opening a valve on a pressure cooker.
Choosing The Right Faucets
You probably don’t need to leave every single sink in your house dripping. You want to focus on the plumbing that runs along the exterior walls of your home. These are the pipes that get the coldest because they are closest to the freezing outdoor air. If you have a sink in a kitchen island in the middle of a warm room, it is likely safe. Focus your efforts on the bathrooms and kitchens that face the yard.
Hot Or Cold Water?
This was always my biggest question. Should I drip the hot or the cold side? Experts say it is actually best to open both handles slightly if you can or set a single handle mixer to warm. Remember that your hot water pipes can freeze just as easily as the cold ones if the water inside them is sitting still. Dripping warm water ensures that both supply lines are getting that crucial pressure relief.
How Much Water Do You Need?
You do not need a full stream of water running down the drain to make this work. A slow and steady drip is usually good enough to do the job. You are looking for about five to ten drips per minute. It should be just enough to confirm that water is moving through the system, but not wasting water. If it is extremely cold, like zero degrees, you might want to increase it to a very thin continuous stream just to be safe.
Worry About The Water Bill
I know it feels painful to watch clean water go right down the drain, especially if you are budget conscious. But the cost of dripping your faucets for a few nights is usually pennies compared to the cost of hiring a plumber. Repairing a burst pipe and fixing water damage can cost thousands of dollars. Think of that slightly higher water bill as a very cheap insurance policy for your house.
When To Stop The Drip
You should keep the faucets dripping as long as temperatures are staying below freezing. Once the sun comes up and the thermometer climbs back above thirty two degrees you can turn them off. If you are in a deep freeze that lasts for days you might just have to live with the sound of dripping water for a while. It can be annoying but it is much better than the sound of rushing water from a broken pipe.
Helping The Heat Circulate
While the drip method is great, you should also give your pipes a helping hand by opening the cabinet doors under your sinks. This lets the warm air from your living room reach the dark cold space where the plumbing lives. It works together with the dripping to keep the temperature just high enough to prevent disaster. It is an easy step that costs absolutely nothing.
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Winter storms are stressful enough without worrying about your plumbing destroying your house. It turns out that this old school trick is still around because it really works. It gives you a little bit of control in a situation that feels unpredictable. So go ahead and let those faucets drip tonight. You will sleep much better knowing you have done everything you can to protect your home.
Bliss Donahue-Power
