Plumbers Swear by the Slow Drip Method to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

As temperatures drop below freezing, you may wonder how to keep the inner workings of your home protected from the frigid conditions, including your pipes. If you think the drip method is an old wives' tale, think again. 

"By keeping water moving, you continuously pull in warmer water from inside and/or underneath your home," says Travis Hargrave of Hargrave's Plumbing. "This water has thermal protection due to being underground and is often much warmer than what is inside your home."

Ahead, our plumbing experts explain what the slow drip method is and how to use it in your own home to protect your pipes from freezing.

What the Slow Drip Method Is and How It Works

The slow drip method for pipes involves letting a steady trickle of water drip from faucets during cold weather. It helps prevent pipes from freezing because moving water does not freeze as quickly as stationary water. "Even a slow, continuous drip keeps water in motion and makes it difficult for ice crystals to build up," says Lori Stickling, co-owner of Covenant Plumbing.

When to Use the Slow Drip Method

For utmost caution, use the slow drip method when temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for above-ground homes and 26 degrees Fahrenheit for homes on a slab. "Often, we see customers with pipes freezing when there is cold wind (wind chill) that creates lower temperatures," says Stickling. "Wind can blow cold air into spaces that are not well insulated and cause pipes to freeze more quickly than cold temperatures alone."

Even at 28 degrees, pipes may be fine for a few hours, but Megan Doser, owner and CEO of Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, warns that 15 degrees for 36 hours is a real threat. "Brief cold snaps and cold nights rarely lead to frozen pipes," she says. "But if it's cold for long stretches, the cold has time to sneak through the wall and reach the pipe. Open the faucet when the temperature stays at or below 20 degrees for more than four hours."

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How to Use the Slow Drip Method

Preventing water from freezing during winter is essential because, as it freezes, it expands. "This expansion in a closed pipe can create pressure that causes cracks or burst pipes and can lead to significant water damage," Stickling says. "A dripping faucet will keep the water flowing through a pipe and prevent damaging freeze breaks."

Luckily, the slow drip method is an effective way to prevent this costly issue from happening. Here's how to do it the right way.

1. Identify your fixtures: Pay attention to faucets that are most vulnerable—typically those on exterior walls or in unheated areas.
2. Open cabinet and bedroom doors: This allows warm air to circulate underneath and access your pipes.
3. Start a slow drip: Turn on both the hot and cold water handles slightly. Set the flow to a thin stream (about the width of a pencil lead), so the water stays active without too much waste. If you have a single faucet, set it to lukewarm to allow both lines to drip.
4. Leave until temperatures rise: Do not stop the drip in vulnerable areas until temperatures have risen. 

Dos and Don'ts of Protecting Your Pipes

Our experts offer these best practices for fully protecting your pipes in winter:

• Do open both lines: Turn on both hot and cold water, Hargrave says. This steady stream of warmer water provides more protection than just pipe insulation or a towel around a hose bib.
• Don't prematurely turn it off: If you turn off the faucets before temperatures warm up, this could result in burst pipes, warns Danny Reddick, president of Reddick & Sons.
• Do more if you're leaving home: If you’re leaving home for an extended period, Reddick suggests draining your pipes and keeping the heat on, as this helps further prevent water from freezing.
• Don't force a thaw: If your pipes freeze, do not try to thaw them with forced hot air, such as that from a hair dryer, as the lines could burst, says Stickling.
• Do recycle your water: If you don’t want to waste any water while implementing this method, Reddick suggests placing a small bucket under the faucet to catch the water and reuse it for watering your plants.
• Don't forget about outdoor faucets and hose bibs: These should be drained and shut off from inside before winter arrives, Reddick says.