what temp to drip faucets

You should start dripping faucets when the outside temperature is around 20°F (about −6°C) or lower, especially if it’s expected to stay that cold for several hours or overnight.

Quick scoop

• General rule: Begin a drip when the forecast shows temps at or below 20°F for several hours (often 3+ hours) or an overnight low.

• Why 20°F? Around this point, many household pipes—especially in exterior walls, crawlspaces, or unheated areas—are at real risk of freezing and potentially bursting.

• How much to drip: A slight trickle or steady drip (about one drop every few seconds, up to 1–2 drips per second) is usually enough to keep water moving and reduce freezing risk.

• Which faucets:
  • Prioritize faucets on exterior walls or in unheated spaces.
  • Include the faucet farthest from your water meter so water moves through more of the system.

• Hot and cold: Let both hot and cold lines run slightly (or set a single-handle faucet in the middle so both lines are flowing).

• When to stop: Turn the faucets back to normal once outside temperatures are consistently above freezing (32°F / 0°C), day and night.

If your home is poorly insulated, very windy, or you’ve had frozen pipes before, it’s sensible to start dripping a bit above 20°F as a safety margin.