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what temp should you drip your faucets

You generally don’t “set a temperature” on the drip itself; you drip based on how cold it is outside and make sure both hot and cold lines are moving.

Quick Scoop: Key Guidelines

  • Start dripping faucets when outside temps are forecast to hit around 20°F (about −6°C) or lower, especially if that will last several hours or overnight.
  • Some plumbers and home guides suggest starting closer to 32°F (0°C) if you have vulnerable pipes (older home, pipes in exterior walls, crawlspace, or poorly insulated areas).
  • You don’t need hot water coming out warm; the goal is flow , not water temperature at the tap. Drip both hot and cold sides so both sets of pipes stay moving.

Think of it this way: you’re not “heating” the pipe with the faucet; you’re keeping water moving so it doesn’t have time to freeze.

How Much To Drip

Most experts describe the drip amount, not a temp at the faucet:

  • Aim for a slow drip to slight trickle.
  • Concrete examples:
    • About one drop every few seconds to one drop per second.
* Some guides say **5–10 drops per minute** ; anything in that range is usually fine if the weather isn’t extreme.
  • In extremely cold conditions (near 0°F or below), you can increase that to a thin, continuous stream for extra safety.

Which Faucets To Drip

  • Prioritize faucets on exterior walls , in unheated areas, or farthest from where water enters the house.
  • Many pros recommend at least one faucet on each “branch” of your plumbing, with extra focus on kitchen or bathroom sinks against outside walls.
  • If you have separate hot and cold handles, crack both slightly; if it’s a single‑lever faucet, set it near the middle so both lines move.

How Long To Keep Faucets Dripping

  • Keep them dripping as long as temps are at or below about 20°F or if you lose power and the house can’t stay warm.
  • Once the outside temperature is safely above freezing and rising , you can turn the faucets back to normal to save water.

Extra Pipe‑Protection Tips

Along with dripping, experts typically recommend:

  • Keep indoor temps at 55°F or higher even if you’re away.
  • Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes.
  • Seal drafts around windows, doors, and pipe penetrations; add foam insulation or heat tape to exposed pipes where appropriate.
  • Winterize outdoor spigots (disconnect hoses, drain, cover) instead of trying to drip them.

Mini “Forum Style” Take

“what temp should you drip your faucets?” Most homeowners in cold snaps treat 20°F as the big red flag, especially for older or Southern homes not built for deep freezes. They crack both hot and cold taps to a slow drip or trickle overnight, open the cabinet doors, and let the house stay above the mid‑50s inside. It wastes a bit of water, but it’s a lot cheaper than a burst pipe and a flooded kitchen.

TL;DR:

  • Start dripping around 20°F or colder (earlier if your pipes are exposed or poorly insulated).
  • Use a slow drip to slight trickle from both hot and cold lines.
  • Keep it going until temps stay above freezing and your house is warm again.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.