Louisiana Homeowners Ask if Dripping Faucets Help Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Much of Louisiana is bracing for a hard freeze early next week and you should soon begin preparing for a few nights with temperatures below the freezing point.

Forecasts predict temperatures in Louisiana will drop into the mid-to-upper 20s by next Monday and Tuesday night and if you have any pipes exposed to the elements you will want to wrap them.

You should also be thinking about your outdoor animals as we await the arctic blast down south, plus there are a few things you may want to consider doing in your house as temperatures plummet.

One thing we've heard of doing for years when temperatures drop below freezing is allowing your faucets in your home to drip slowly. Doing so allows for a slow stream of water in the pipes, which in theory should prevent them from freezing.

However, does this work when it comes to protecting your pipes?

Well, it.turns out that allowing your faucets to slowly drip during a hard freeze helps prevent pipes from freezing. According to the Red Cross, if your faucet is supplied water from an exposed pipe you want to allow a slow drip.

Water has a difficult time freezing when it is "in motion" and a slow drip allows water to continue to flow through your plumbing. The downside to this is if many in a defined area allow faucets to drip, water pressure in a town or community can be affected.

Another thing the Red Cross suggests you do when temperatures are below freezing is to open cabinets that house your plumbing. Allowing warmer air into the cabinets where pipes are can help prevent them from freezing.

Now, back to allowing your faucets to drip, you will want to allow the faucet that is furthest in your house from the cut-off valve to drip. So locate it when temps are below freezing and allow a slow drip.

Remember to only allow a slow drip and to not open your faucets up when attempting to prevent them from freezing.

In the event of pipes freezing in your home, open all faucets and allow the water to seep out as the pipes begin to thaw out. You can also use a blow dryer on pipes that are frozen to help thaw them out.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to protect your pipes during a hard freeze.