Should you drip outside faucets in cold weather

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.

Prepare for Freezing Weather 

Locate your water shut off 

If you are not sure if you have an inside shutoff valve, check the property inspection report from when you purchased your residence. For renters, please consult with your property manager. If you cannot find your shutoff valve or if it is damaged, then you should be prepared to access the City shutoff valve in the meter box. You may need a water meter key to open the meter box, which can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Keep out cold air
Tightly close doors and windows to the outside. Make repairs to broken or drafty windows, doors, and walls. Seal all leaks in crawl spaces and basements. Winterize unheated spaces and close garage doors for the duration of the freeze.

Exposed pipes and water heaters 
Insulate pipes in unheated and drafty areas, such as an attic or garage. Also check manufacturer recommendations for your tanked and tankless water heaters. Hardware and plumbing supply stores carry insulation to help keep pipes from freezing. 

Outside faucets
Turn off outside faucets. Remove all connected hoses and wrap faucets with towels or a Styrofoam insulator. Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems.

Prepare before leaving town
If you plan to be away during a time when freezing temperatures are possible, turn off your water at the meter and set your thermostat to 65 degrees or higher.
 

Download a printable Winter Weather Tip sheet in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Simplified Chinese, or Vietnamese 

During Freezing Weather (1-2 days)

Protect indoor faucets 
Open cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes. Be sure to remove any toxic substances located in these cabinets if there are children or pets living in the residence.

Drip only if needed
After the measures above are taken, drip one cold water faucet slowly if you feel your pipes may still freeze. The faucet you choose
should be the one that is the greatest distance from your main shutoff valve. It does not need to be a running trickle. If you do drip your faucet, capture the water for future use. For informational videos and updated weather guidance go to: austinwater.org.

Power outages 
If you experience a power outage for more than 24 hours, stop dripping your faucets and turn off your water at the meter.

Outside faucets
Turn off outside faucets. Remove all connected hoses and wrap faucets with towels or a Styrofoam insulator. Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems.

Thawing Pipes After a Freeze 

After a period of freezing weather, if you turn on a faucet and discover only a trickle of water coming out, or no water at all, it is possible you have a frozen pipe or water meter. Take the following steps:

• Test all faucets to see which are frozen 
  • If you find that none of your faucets are working, then the frozen pipe is located near the main water pipe entering the residence. If none of the faucets on the same floor are working, then the frozen pipe is located between the different floors. If none of the faucets in the same room are working, then the frozen pipe is located between the main water pipe and where the water enters the room.
     
• Find the frozen part of the pipe 
  • After you figure out which pipe is frozen, trace along the affected pipe to look for signs of freezing like bulges, frost, or ice. If there are no visible signs, pay attention to the pipe’s temperature and find where the pipe feels the coldest.
     
• Thaw the pipe slowly 
  • Even the faintest trickle of water will help thaw a frozen pipe. If any of your faucets can run any water at all, turn them on. Completely open the cold-water faucet closest to the frozen pipe to relieve pressure and reduce the chance of breakage. If the frozen pipe is only in one area, you may be able to thaw the pipe by opening cabinets and allowing warmer air to circulate around the pipes. Use warm water to soak towels, then wrap the towels around the frozen pipes. You can use a hair dryer or a portable heater to thaw a pipe, but DO NOT use electrical appliances if there is standing water. NEVER thaw a pipe using an open flame.

If these steps do not work, contact a licensed plumber or your property manager for assistance.

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