when should you let your faucets drip

You should let your faucets drip when temperatures are expected to be at or below freezing for several hours, especially if they’ll drop near 20°F -6to\-7°C or lower, or if your power goes out during a freeze. This helps keep water moving so pipes are less likely to freeze and burst, particularly in older homes or where pipes run through unheated spaces like attics, crawl spaces, or exterior walls.

Key times to let faucets drip

• When the forecast shows temperatures at or below 32°F 0°C for several hours, especially overnight.

• When temperatures are expected to be around 20°F -6.6°C or lower, which plumbers flag as a real frozen-pipe risk point.

• When a hard freeze is combined with wind chills and your plumbing runs through uninsulated or exterior areas.

• During a winter power outage if it’s below freezing, since your heating is off and indoor pipe temperatures can drop quickly.

Which faucets to drip

• At least one faucet on each level or section of your home so water moves through the full system.

• A faucet that is farthest from where the water enters your home, which helps pull water through the longest, most vulnerable run of pipe.

• Faucets served by pipes in unheated spaces (garage, crawlspace, attic, exterior wall) and any historically “problem” lines that have frozen before.

How much to let them drip

• Open the tap just enough for a steady drip or very slight trickle—often described as one to two drops per second or a pencil-lead–thin stream.

• In extreme cold (near 0°F or below), slightly increase the drip while still avoiding a full stream to limit water waste.

When to stop dripping

• Keep faucets dripping as long as overnight lows stay at or below freezing and especially while they hover around or under 20°F.

• Turn them off once both daytime and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 32°F and the immediate cold snap has clearly passed.

Extra quick tips

• If leaving home during a freeze, many experts suggest turning off the main water supply and opening a low-level faucet to relieve pressure, which can reduce damage if something does freeze.

• Pair dripping with other protection: pipe insulation, opening cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, and sealing drafts around where pipes enter.

Meta description (SEO): Learn exactly when you should let your faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes, how much to drip, which taps to use, and when it’s safe to stop during winter cold snaps.

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