You generally need to drip faucets in Texas when the temperature is expected to be at or below freezing (32°F / 0°C), especially if it will stay that cold for several hours overnight.

Quick Scoop: When to drip in Texas

  • Start dripping when:
    • The forecast shows temps at or below 32°F for several hours overnight, especially late night to early morning.
* You live in a typical Texas home with pipes in slabs, exterior walls, crawl spaces, or an unheated garage.
  • It becomes more important when:
    • Temps are expected to be in the low 20s or below, or wind chills are very low, and the cold snap lasts multiple nights.
  • You can usually stop dripping when:
    • Temperatures rise well above freezing and stay there (daytime in the 40s or higher and no more hard freeze in the forecast).

Think of dripping as an overnight, hard-freeze precaution rather than something you run all day.

What exactly to drip (and how)

Most Texas-focused guidance says you do not need to drip every single faucet, but you should be strategic.

Which faucets to drip

  • Prioritize:
    • Sinks on exterior walls (kitchen, bathrooms with outside windows).
* Rooms farthest from where water enters the house.
  • Usually enough:
    • One faucet per “side” or zone of the house (for example, kitchen + main bath), as long as those lines cover the main plumbing runs.
  • Don’t forget:
    • Exterior hose bibs: cover/insulate them rather than drip them.
* Washing machine in an unheated garage: shut off supply valves and protect those lines.

How much to drip

  • Aim for a steady drip, drip, drip – more than an occasional single drop, but less than a stream.
  • If your pipes are well insulated or set in concrete:
    • A light but consistent drip is usually enough.
  • If you have an exposed crawl space or very windy, bitter cold:
    • Some plumbers suggest closer to a thin stream to keep water moving through vulnerable pipes.

Hot vs. cold

  • Drip both hot and cold lines where possible because they run in separate pipes.
  • Single-handle faucet:
    • Set it to lukewarm so both hot and cold sides are flowing a bit.

Local twist: Not all Texas cities want you to drip

Some Texas systems, especially big city pump-station systems like Houston, may ask residents not to drip because it can hurt system water pressure during major freezes.

  • Houston example:
    • Houston Public Works has explicitly said they do not advise most residents to drip, given their pump-based system, and instead emphasize insulating and protecting pipes and fixtures.
  • Smaller or tower-based systems:
    • Areas using water towers (more common outside big metros) are more likely to give the classic “go ahead and drip” guidance.

Because Texas is huge and plumbing setups vary, always check:

  • Your city or water utility’s freeze guidance on their website or social feeds.
  • Any emergency alerts during cold snaps (they may change advice if pressure drops).

Extra freeze-prep moves (beyond dripping)

Even when you drip, other steps help prevent frozen or burst pipes.

  • Inside the home:
    • Keep your heat on, even at a modest setting, during the freeze.
    • Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
* Close garage doors if water heaters or pipes are in the garage.
  • Outside:
    • Cover hose bibs with store-bought covers or a towel plus plastic wrap/tape.
* Disconnect garden hoses.
  • For unheated spaces:
    • Shut off and drain lines to things like washing machines or utility sinks in unheated garages where possible.

If you suspect a pipe has frozen (no water at a certain faucet) but not burst:

  • Turn that faucet on slightly so pressure can relieve when it thaws.
  • Avoid open flames or high-heat tools; fire and pipe damage risks are high.

Quick forum-style take

“Below freezing for a quick hour? Probably fine with heat on.
Several hours in the 20s, especially overnight? That’s when Texans start dripping faucets and opening cabinets — unless your city tells you not to for pressure reasons.”

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