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Does Letting Your Faucets Drip In Cold Weather Really Do Anything?
By MASIE O'TOOLE
You've likely wondered if leaving your faucets on actually does anything to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. We're here to provide you with the answer and arm you with the proper knowledge to prevent damage the next time temperatures suddenly drop.
The thought process behind the dripping faucet method is that your pipes will consistently pull warmer water from the ground and replace the near-freezing water before it gets the chance to fully harden. However, this isn't necessary if the heat of your house keeps your pipes warm.
If you have a faucet on an exterior wall, however, the pipes are more vulnerable to the cold, so turning both hot and cold water on will help prevent freezing. The American Red Cross even has a comprehensive guide mentioning other ways to protect against, prevent, and thaw frozen pipes.
Other methods include keeping cabinets open and pipes exposed as the heat runs in your home, keeping the heat on and consistently set to at least 55 degrees, and ensuring that homes and pipes are adequately insulated. Adhering to any of these methods will help your pipes from bursting.