Not sure if it really helps or is it a myth?
2007-01-14 04:19:17 · 6 answers · asked by cachegirl68 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Whoops...sorry faucet not facet
2007-01-14 04:42:46 · update #1
It is not a myth. How low the temperature gets and for how long dictates the seriousness. Also, if the pipes are exposed this can be a problem. If your home is on a slab you are less likely to have problems (pipes not exposed to air an ground temps above freezing). You can wrap pipes (check with a local hardware store). The problem is not freezing, but thawing. When water freezes, it contracts. When it thaws, it expands and can burst rigid pipes/fittings. Letting the water drip can keep the water moving and hinders the freezing process. If you have any outside fixtures it can help to cover them. If you are going to be away and don't want to leave the water running, turn off the power to you hot water heater (so you don't risk burning your coils and wasting energy) and then turn the water off at the source (meter/pump). Drain the lines at their lowest point (outside faucet maybe). Open inside faucets to allow room for expansion in case any trapped water freezes. I hope this helps
2007-01-14 04:39:09 · answer #1 · answered by Hawkeye 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that a dripping faucet will prevent your inside lines from freezing. One other important thing you can do to assist that plan is to open up the cabinets that contain the pipes under your faucets to help let the warmer air from your rooms to surround those pipes and also assist in keeping the temperature above 32 degrees. The dripping water keeps the water flow going. Once those water molecules stop moving and the temperature goes below 32 the water will turn to ice. But if you keep those water molecules moving they can't freeze solid.
2007-01-14 04:43:55 · answer #2 · answered by Brick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't necessary to leave them drip if they are for inside faucets..if the pipes are on an outside, un-insulated wall then you might ...but just opening cabinets doors should give them enough heat from the house..Out side faucets should have a shut off valve for winter... turn the valve off and then open outside faucets to drain water. The old rule was more for when houses did not have central heat or insulation... you are just wasting water and running up your bill
2007-01-14 04:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by sw-in-gardener 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Bugtussel! Either leave heating on or leave the water to run just a little! And also FAUCET not facet!
2007-01-14 04:29:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your heat is on then you only have to open the cabinet doors in order for the heat to get into the pipes. If your heat is not on then you have to leave every faucet running just a little as running water won't freeze in your pipes.
2007-01-14 04:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by utahbugtussel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do leave it dripping, but the times that i have forgotten nothing has ever happened. so...not really sure
2007-01-14 04:23:58 · answer #6 · answered by cyberturtle420 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋