Drip Cold Water to Protect Pipes To keep pipes from freezing during cold snaps—like the ones hitting parts of the U.S. this January 2026—you should drip cold water from your faucets, not hot. This simple trick keeps water moving through the lines, preventing ice buildup without wasting energy on heated water.

Why Cold Over Hot?

Cold water dripping maintains a steady flow in the pipes, which resists freezing better than standing water since moving water freezes at lower temperatures. Hot water might seem intuitive, but it can actually encourage faster freezing farther down the line once it cools, and it wastes more on your water heater. Forum users on Reddit echo this: "Ideally, you should let cold run at a slow trickle."

"Drip cold water in farthest faucet from your main valve. Moving water keeps pipes from freezing."

Experts agree—even in extreme cold, the drip relieves pressure from any ice plugs, avoiding bursts when things thaw.

Step-by-Step: How to Drip Properly

Follow these steps for max protection, especially in uninsulated areas like crawlspaces or exterior walls:

  1. Identify key faucets : Start with the one farthest from your main water shutoff—often a kitchen sink or bathroom on the opposite side.
  2. Set a slow drip : Aim for a steady drip-drip-drip or pencil-lead-thin stream on the cold side only. No full trickle needed.
  3. Both hot and cold if worried : Some add a hot-side drip too, but cold alone suffices for most homes.
  4. Monitor indoors : Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate around pipes.
  5. Combine with insulation : Wrap exposed pipes in foam sleeves or towels for extra defense.

This method saved countless homes during past Texas and Midwest freezes, per plumbing forums.

Multiple Views from Forums & Experts

  • Pro plumbers : "Keep cabinets open and sinks dripping" as a top tip—cold flow thaws ice safely.
  • Reddit homeowners : "Cold and a steady drip... use a hair dryer if they freeze." Many report success without bursts.
  • Consumer Reports : Run cold water post-freeze to melt ice plugs while applying safe heat.
  • Counterpoint : In insulated modern homes, you might skip dripping altogether, but better safe in older builds.

Method| Pros| Cons| Best For
---|---|---|---
Cold Drip| Energy-efficient, proven pressure relief 5| Slight water waste| All homes, daily use
Hot Drip| Feels warmer initially| Higher bills, potential refreezing 3| Rare, if hot line exposed
No Drip (Insulate Only)| Zero waste| Risky in power outages| Well- insulated pipes

Extra Tips for Winter 2026

With recent cold fronts trending on forums, act early: Insulate shutoff valves and hose bibs too. If pipes freeze anyway, don't thaw with torches —use hair dryers or heated towels. Latest news shows Louisville utilities pushing "drip to prevent" reminders as of early 2025.

TL;DR : Always drip cold water slowly from the farthest faucet—it's the gold standard for freeze prevention.

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