faucet-drip 

One of the easiest ways to prevent frozen pipes this winter is by leaving the drainage system on a slow drip. This means keeping one or more faucets on at around five to ten droplets per minute to alleviate pressure in the plumbing system.

Sinks, showers, and other faucets are all great candidates for this winterizing process.

It sounds easy, but homeowners should follow Warner Service's tips for the best process. This includes knowing the appropriate time to drip the faucets. Here's a list of the few times when it's important to leave the inside faucets on a slow drip to prevent freezing this winter.

Before Freezing Weather Occurs

An important time to drip your home faucets is before freezing weather occurs. For example, if you know that the overnight temperature is planning on dropping to an alarming 32 degrees Fahrenheit, leave a faucet or two on a slow drip throughout the night. As a hint, if you’ve left it to the right amount of drips-per-minute, the dripping won't be loud and should be barely noticeable.

By doing this, you sleep soundly knowing that you took plumbing precautions and won’t need to keep waking up to check the dropping temperature. This is also a good idea if you know cold weather is going to hit overnight or while you’re at work, out to dinner, or otherwise not thinking about your home’s plumbing system for a long period of time.

During Ice, Snow & Sub-Freezing Temperatures

It's important to drip the faucet during sub-freezing temperatures, ice storms, and any degree of snow. Keeping that faucet drip shouldn't be too big of a plumbing problem, but here’s what you need to know.

The most crucial faucets to drip during extremely cold weather include those that align an outside wall or are in a non-heated area of your home. For most homes, this includes a kitchen or bathroom sink or tub. You might also consider areas like utility rooms, attics, laundry rooms, or garage sinks as prime candidates for drip duty.

When You're Going Out Of Town

Are you planning on going out of town for the holidays this winter? Leave a water faucet that's located as far away from where water enters your home on a slow drip. The reason the location matters is that being far away from the source requires the entire system to be pressurized and prevents freezing.

Also, keep the programmable thermostat set no lower than 58 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure warm, circulating air and not-frozen pipes. Also, ask a friend or family member to stop by and check for any plumbing problems every few days - especially if you know cold temperatures, ice, or snow are in the forecast while you're away.

Other Important Plumbing Tips To Know

Dripping the faucets is one weather precaution you need to take to keep plumbing problems from occurring. Insulate all exterior and interior piping that has the potential to freeze, and take caution before bad weather strikes by draining and cleaning the hot water heater, checking for existing leaks, and getting the advice of a trained professional plumber if you notice any plumbing problems.

Do you need help with winterizing your home? Do you want to ensure your home’s plumbing is in top shape this winter? Do you have a plumbing emergency that needs immediate attention?

Contact our knowledgeable and friendly team at Warner Service today to schedule a plumbing appointment. You can also subscribe to our weekly blog for more tips. Click on the button below to get started:

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