I Left Water to Drip During a Freeze and Didn’t Expect This
Letting water drip during freezing weather is one of those habits people repeat without much explanation. I had heard it for years, usually as a last-minute reminder when temperatures dropped. When a cold stretch hit, I followed the advice without questioning it. I turned on a faucet and let the water run slightly, assuming that was enough.
What I did not expect was how specific the details needed to be for it to actually work. Which faucet mattered. The type of water mattered. Even how fast it dripped mattered more than I realized.
Why Letting Water Drip Helps
Pipes freeze when water sits still inside a cold section of the line. Once ice forms, it expands and creates pressure behind it. That pressure is what causes pipes to crack or burst, often without warning.
Letting water drip does two things. It keeps water moving through the pipe, and it relieves pressure if freezing begins. The goal is not to warm the pipe. It is to prevent water from staying in one place long enough to freeze solid.
That distinction became important once I paid attention to which pipes were actually at risk.
Hot or Cold Water?
My first instinct was to leave warm water dripping. But, warm water seems like it should resist freezing longer.
In practice, the cold water line is the one most exposed to outdoor temperatures. It runs directly from the main supply, often through exterior walls, crawl spaces, or unheated areas before it ever reaches a faucet.
Once I switched to dripping cold water from the faucet farthest from the water heater, the setup made more sense. That line was the longest, coldest, and most vulnerable.
In areas where pipes were clearly exposed, such as near exterior walls, running both hot and cold made sense. But for most situations, cold water alone addressed the real risk.
How I Let the Faucets Drip
I did not use a steady stream. That wastes water and adds no extra protection.
What worked was a slow, consistent trickle. Not a single drop that could stop and freeze, and not enough flow to resemble a running tap. The water moved continuously, just enough to keep the line active.
I focused on one or two faucets connected to vulnerable pipes rather than turning on multiple sinks throughout the house. Letting the right faucet drip mattered more than letting many drip randomly.
I kept the water running until temperatures rose and stayed above freezing. Turning it off too early defeated the purpose.
What Else Made a Difference
The biggest improvements came from steps that did not involve water flow at all.
Opening cabinet doors under sinks allowed warm indoor air to reach exposed pipes. This raised pipe temperature more than I expected and reduced cold spots.
Keeping the thermostat steady mattered more than turning it high. Letting the house cool too much overnight increased risk, even if it warmed up later.
Wrapping exposed pipes added another layer of protection. Even temporary insulation slowed heat loss enough to matter during long cold nights.
Knowing where the main shut-off valve was located provided peace of mind. If something failed, I could stop the water quickly.
What I Did Not Expect
I expected dripping water to be a simple on-or-off decision. What I learned was that it only works when paired with awareness of pipe location, exposure, and airflow.
Dripping the wrong faucet or using too little flow gave a false sense of security. The water moved, but the vulnerable section of pipe did not benefit.
What I Will do
I would still let water drip, but only with intention. Cold water from vulnerable lines, a steady trickle that keeps water moving, cabinet doors open to allow warm air in, and indoor temperatures kept stable all worked together. The drip helped, but only because it was part of a broader approach that focused on exposure and pipe location, not habit.