When should I start dripping my faucets?

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — It's officially winter, which means there are days when the temperatures will be freezing cold.

There are many ways to get winter ready, but one common practice when the temperature drops is letting your faucets drip through the night. So, exactly how cold does it need to be before you do this?

Southern Living says professionals list the threshold temperature for pipes to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning this or anything below can create a potential for water to turn to ice in your pipes.

But it's important to keep the layout of your home in mind, notes Homes and Gardens. You should make sure the faucets you drip are those most vulnerable to freezing. They also say you should ideally be dripping a faucet in each section of your home.

When the temperatures get back above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, Homes and Gardens says you can

Why do pipes freeze?

The reason it's important to let your faucets drip is because water expands as it freezes. If the water is in a container, even something such as a plastic or metal pipe, as it freezes, the water will create pressure back on that container as it becomes ice. The American Red Cross says no matter how strong your pipes are, that expansion can cause pipes to break.

The pipes most likely to freeze are those that are either outdoors or along an exterior, uninsulated wall, or are in unheated areas inside the home, such as garages, crawl spaces, basements, attics, or even your kitchen cabinets.

How do I keep pipes from freezing?

While we often think about this being a problem for our sinks and showers, there are several other water lines that could also be impacted by the freezing temperatures. The American Red Cross shared some tips to prevent both your indoor and outdoor pipes from freezing.

Indoor pipes

For indoor pipes, the most common way to prevent freezing is dripping the faucets at just a trickle. While the Red Cross specifies letting the cold water drip, Homes and Gardens says people should not forget to turn both the hot and cold faucets on enough to drip. Those with a single-handle faucet should turn it to a point where water will flow through both the hot and cold water lines.

The American Red Cross says some additional tips to protect your pipes is to open kitchen and bathroom cabinets so that warmer air can more easily circulate back toward the pipes. If you're using this method, the Red Cross also warns to make sure any harmful chemicals or cleaners in those cabinets are moved where children cannot reach them. You can also make sure the garage stays closed to help keep as much warm air in as possible.

Homes and Gardens also says if you have a toilet along an exterior wall, make sure to flush it "on a frequent basis" if possible, to keep the water moving in the pipes.

The organization also says not lowering the thermostat on a colder night can also help prevent pipes from freezing, although this could unfortunately result in a higher electric bill.

The Red Cross also says that if you plan on being away from your home, keep the heat on just enough that the temperature does not get below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, Homes and Gardens says that if you're planning to be away during the cold weather, you can also turn off the main water supply to the home and drain the pipes to flush out the standing water.

Outdoor pipes

To prevent those outdoor pipes from freezing, you can start preparing in advance by draining swimming pool and sprinkler supply lines per the manufacturer's or installer's instructions. The Red Cross urges people to avoid putting antifreeze in those lines unless specifically directed in the instructions because the chemical is dangerous for humans, pets, wildlife and landscaping.

You can also drain hoses used outdoors, and remove and store them inside. The Red Cross also suggests folks close the inside valves that supply the hose bib or spigot, then open the outside valves to allow water to drain and give any remaining water room to expand without breaking the pipe.

Extra precautions

The Red Cross has some additional home improvement projects that can help prevent frozen pipes, but folks may have to shell out a bit of money, and they may take some time.

Since rooms like basements, attics, garages and crawl spaces are often uninsulated and usually house water pipes, the Red Cross says adding insulation to the walls can help keep those areas warmer. There are also options to insulate the pipes themselves with products such as pipe sleeves, UL-listed heat tape or heat cable, and similar products. If your home layout allows for it, you could also have a professional come and reroute the pipes to a warmer location.

What do I do if the pipes freeze?

If a water pipe does freeze, the first thing you should do is keep the faucet open. This way, when the ice thaws, it has somewhere to flow. The organization says letting the water flow also helps melt the ice inside the pipe.

According to Southern Living, some ways to tell your pipes are frozen are a lack of water pressure, icy residue or frost on the pipes, water damage from leaks, strange sounds such as gurgling or banging coming from the pipes, or an unusual smell from the pipes.

To treat the frozen pipe, you can try applying heat to the frozen section with a heating pad, hair dryer or towels in hot water. You can also use a space heater if there are no flammable materials around. The Red Cross says to apply the heat until your water pressure is back to normal. You should also check the rest of your pipes because it's possible others may have frozen as well.

When it comes to heating the pipe, you should never use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or any device with an open flame, the Red Cross says.

If you cannot find the frozen section of the pipe, the best option is to call a licensed plumber to come fix the problem.