Should I Drip Hot Or Cold Water?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Drip both hot and cold water when both supply lines run through unheated areas such as crawl spaces, attics, garages, or exterior walls. This protects both sides of the system.
• Good fit: Drip cold water only when you want the simplest safeguard and only one faucet is available. Cold-water supply lines are often the most exposed, so they are a common starting point.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Do not rely on dripping alone if temperatures are extremely low or pipes are already showing signs of freezing. A drip may not be enough in severe conditions.
• Warning sign: Be cautious if you have a limited water supply, a low-yield well, well-pump concerns, or water-use restrictions. Wasted water adds cost and can strain your system.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low-cost protection compared to the expense and disruption of repairing burst pipes and water damage.
• Simple and immediate: anyone can turn a faucet to a slow trickle without tools or special equipment.

Cons

• Wastes water and raises water and sewer bills, especially if the drip continues for days.
• May not protect pipes in poorly insulated areas or during prolonged, extreme cold without additional measures.

Decision Checklist

• Which of my pipes run through unheated spaces, exterior walls, or areas with a history of freezing?
• How low will the temperature drop, and for how long will freezing conditions last?
• Do I have backup protection such as pipe insulation, heat tape, sealed drafts, and open cabinet doors?

Alternatives to Consider

Better long-term options include insulating exposed pipes, installing heat tape or heat cables, sealing gaps where cold air enters, keeping cabinet doors open to share warm indoor air, maintaining a minimum thermostat temperature even at night, draining outdoor faucets and irrigation systems, and shutting off water to unoccupied buildings. Combining several methods is usually more reliable than relying on dripping alone.

Final Recommendation

If freezing weather is expected, dripping the faucet fed by your most vulnerable supply line is a reasonable short-term safeguard. For many homes, that means starting with cold water, but hot-water lines can freeze as well. The safest approach is to drip both if both lines are at risk, or to ask a licensed plumber which fixtures protect the weakest points in your plumbing. For severe cold, complex plumbing, well systems, or any history of frozen or burst pipes, consult a qualified plumber for site-specific advice.