Do you need to turn on all faucets to keep pipes from freezing

Fortunately, we live in a state that doesn’t see a lot of bitterly cold winter weather. However, it can still get cold, even in the Deep South. When the weather forecast shows temperatures staying below freezing for several days, be prepared to drip your indoor faucets to keep your pipes from freezing and possibly breaking. 

(Video by Michaela Parker)

FAQs:

1. Which do I run, hot or cold water? Run the cold water faucet.
2. How much water do I run? You need just a trickle of water to drip so that water is moving through the pipes consistently.
3. How long do I run the water? Let the faucet drip until temperatures are consistently above freezing to be on the safe side.
4. Isn’t it expensive to let the faucet drip? At the rate the water is dripping, it will fill a gallon pitcher in about an hour. At current rates, this will cost about 2 cents per night to drip one faucet. Much cheaper than broken pipes and water damage!
5. Which faucet/s should I drip? If you know the farthest faucet from your water meter, you can run only that faucet and it will draw water all the way through the house.
6. Can’t I just open the cabinet doors? Opening the cabinets to allow warm air into those enclosed spaces can help and is recommended. Typically this is effective in the kitchen and bathrooms. That said, most pipe problems happen in less accessible places. Uninsulated pipes in uninsulated spaces, especially garages, crawl spaces, and attics, are more likely to have problems with pipes freezing. That is why insulating exposed plumbing is so important.

Keeping pipes from freezing is not an exact science. There are steps you can and should take, but every house is unique. The measures you take depend on your particular house and its vulnerabilities, including where you choose to drip water, how well-insulated it is, etc. It also depends on the weather: how long temperatures stay below freezing and just how cold those temperatures get have an impact. You can't always prevent pipes from freezing, even if you do everything in your power to keep it from happening. But taking basic precautions, such as dripping a water faucet, is worth the extra time, effort, and amount of money spent on the water bill. And remember to avoid some common winter practices too!

Whether you got a deal for the Presidents’ Day long weekend, you’re taking the kids on a trip during their school vacation or you’re fleeing the cold for a break on the beach, February is a popular time to travel. But while you may be enjoying your getaway in flip-flops, your house may be withstanding sub-zero temperatures, putting your pipes in danger of freezing. We asked plumbing and cleaning experts what you should—and should not—do to protect your pipes and enjoy peace of mind when leaving your home in cold weather.

DOs

Do Leave A Faucet Running

Just a small trickle from the cold tap will keep water moving in your pipes, preventing a solid freeze in all but the most extreme cases, says Jeff Bell of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Southern Massachusetts in Carver, Mass.

Do Keep The Heat Turned Up

Bell prefers a 60ºF setting to make sure a home’s coldest, draftiest corners stay warm, even if there’s no one at home. It may add to your energy bill, but it could save you thousands in water damage from a burst pipe.

Do Leave Cabinet Doors Open

You won’t be home to trip over them, so leave under-sink cabinet doors open in the kitchen and bathrooms. This will help keep warm air circulating around the pipes. (And if you’ve kept the heat turned up, the air in the rooms will be nice and warm.)

Do Thaw Frozen Pipes—Very Carefully

DON’Ts

Don’t Let Cold Air Into Your Home

Seal external openings, such as basement doors, windows and crawl spaces, with weather stripping, caulk and sealant. (Stopping drafts not only protects your plumbing, it will make your space cozier and more comfortable for you.)

Don’t Leave Hoses Connected

Ideally, you should drain sprinkler systems before the first freeze of the season. If you still have any hoses connected from fall gardening projects, disconnect, drain and store them, and shut off any exterior water spigots.

Don’t Leave Your Home Totally Alone

During particularly cold snaps, have a neighbor stop in a few times to visually inspect and operate each plumbing fixture, checking for water flow, and to make sure the heat is on.

Don’t Ignore The Signs Of A Frozen Pipe

“The average insurance claim for water damage from frozen pipes is about $15,000,” says Reed Mattingly of restoration and cleaning company Rainbow International in South Carolina. “If water starts leaking from a pipe after it gets warmer, [that means] the pipe has burst from the pressure. A pipe crack an eighth of an inch long can release more than 200 gallons of water daily.” Shut off the water supply to the broken pipe immediately to minimize damage and call a professional.

Fire, extreme weather, personal liability, theft—there are several situations to consider when shopping for insurance. Visit geico.com to find the right coverage for your home.

By Kristen Koch

Continue Reading … How To Slash Your Heating Bill

How many faucets should you leave in freezing weather?

Do you run both hot and cold water to keep pipes from freezing?

How much water do I need to run to keep pipes from freezing?

Should I drip my faucets tonight?