Winter is a hard time for everyone. You have to dig out your parkas and winter boots, and make sure you switched to winter tires.
Homeowners have a particularly difficult time. Colder weather poses a lot of dangers to your home – especially for your plumbing.
There are a few different pipe protection measures you can take to protect your plumbing when the weather changes.
Dripping your faucets is one strategy – but you have to get your timing right. Let’s go through when to drip faucets.
Anticipating Freezing Temperatures
Keeping an eye out for freezing temperatures and knowing when to start dripping faucets is crucial for preventing potential damage to your pipes during winter. When the outdoor temperature is expected to drop below freezing, it’s time to initiate this preventative measure.
However, you should start dripping faucets even when temperatures are forecasted to approach freezing, typically a few degrees above, ensuring a proactive approach to protect your plumbing.
Keep a close eye on your dripping faucets. You’ll want to avoid creating any other problems, like mold.
Choosing The Right Times
It’s important to pick the right times to drip your faucets. You may want to aim for the coldest parts of the day, such as during the night and early morning. These periods tend to experience the lowest temperatures, making them optimal times to maintain a slow, consistent drip from the faucets.
Watch Out For Extended Cold Spells
An extended cold spell often involves sustained freezing weather over several hours or even days. During such periods, you should start faucet dripping early.
This can help alleviate pressure within the plumbing system. It reduces the risk of pipes freezing and bursting due to ice expansion.
Thawing Frozen Pipes
If you get the timing wrong and you end up with frozen pipes, there are cold weather tips to help you defrost them. You’ll want to get on it quickly before your water pipe breaks.
Identify the section of the pipe that is frozen. It’s typically where the pipe is exposed to the coldest temperatures or in unheated areas of your home. Use a safe heat source to thaw the frozen section of the pipe.
A hair dryer is one good option. Direct warm air onto the frozen pipe, starting from the faucet end and moving towards the frozen area. Avoid using high heat or open flame to prevent pipe damage.
You can also wrap the affected pipe with a heating pad or towels soaked in hot water. Replace the towels as they cool down to continue applying warmth.
Thawing may take some time, so be patient and monitor the progress regularly. Avoid using excessive force, which can cause pipe damage.
Once the water starts to flow, let it run for a few minutes to flush out any remaining ice and ensure the pipe is completely thawed.
When to Drip Faucets? Start Today
When to drip faucets? Hopefully, you have some idea of what the right choice is.
What happens if you make a mistake with your faucet dripping? You might need water restoration services. That’s where ServiceMaster Restore can help you out. We can even provide emergency services if you’re in a real pinch.
Don’t wait – get help now.
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