When to Start Dripping Faucets in Winter (Des Moines Guide)

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Dripping a faucet in winter feels wrong at first. You hear that steady drip and think about the water bill. It sounds wasteful. But in Iowa winters, that small drip can save you from a much bigger problem.

In Des Moines, cold snaps don’t always ease in slowly. Temperatures can drop fast and stay there. When that happens, pipes in the wrong place can freeze before you realize there’s a problem. This is why dripping faucets in winter is still one of the simplest ways to protect your home.

Here’s how it works, when it matters most, and how to do it without overdoing it.

It’s Not the Ice. It’s the Pressure.

A lot of people picture a pipe splitting open right where the ice forms. That’s usually not what happens.

When water freezes, it expands. If ice blocks a pipe, pressure builds behind that blockage. The water trapped between the ice and a closed faucet has nowhere to go. Pressure climbs fast. Eventually, the pipe gives out, often in a spot you can’t see.

That’s why dripping faucets in winter helps. A slow, steady trickle relieves pressure. It gives expanding water somewhere to move instead of forcing it to push against the pipe walls.

The drip doesn’t stop freezing by itself. It reduces the pressure that causes the damage.

When to Start Dripping Faucets in Des Moines

In most Des Moines homes, the tipping point is when temperatures are expected to stay below 20 degrees for several hours, especially overnight. That’s when frozen pipes become much more likely.

Some homes need to act sooner. If you have plumbing in exterior walls, crawlspaces, basements, or garages, starting closer to 30 degrees is often a safer move. Older homes and north-facing walls are more vulnerable too.

Keep an eye on local forecasts. Rapid drops are risky, even if the cold stretch doesn’t last long.

If you’re asking yourself, “Should you drip faucets in winter tonight?” and the forecast looks harsh, it’s usually better to drip than to gamble.

How to Drip Faucets the Right Way

Not every faucet needs attention. Focus on the ones most likely to freeze.

Start with faucets connected to pipes along exterior walls or in unheated areas. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and garages are common trouble spots. Outdoor spigots are different. Those should be shut off from inside and drained, not dripped.

Open both the hot and cold sides of the faucet slightly. Hot water lines freeze too. You’re aiming for a thin, steady trickle. You should be able to hear it, but it shouldn’t look like a stream.

Faster isn’t better. A heavy flow just wastes water.

Open cabinet doors under sinks where pipes are located. That lets warmer air from the house circulate around the plumbing and helps keep temperatures up where it counts.

Extra Winter Protection for Iowa Homes

Dripping faucets in winter works best when it’s part of a bigger plan.

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Leaving them attached traps water in the line. Shut off the interior valve feeding exterior spigots and drain those lines completely.

Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, attics, and garage ceilings. Foam pipe sleeves are simple and effective.

Never turn the heat off completely, even if you’re leaving town. Set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. This step alone prevents a lot of frozen pipe calls.

If water lines run through your garage, keep the garage doors closed during cold weather. That space gets cold fast.

What to Do if a Pipe Freezes Anyway

Sometimes, even when you do everything right, a pipe still freezes.

If you suspect it, shut off the main water supply to the house right away. That limits damage if the pipe splits while thawing.

Use a hairdryer, a portable space heater, or approved heat tape to warm the pipe slowly. Start near the faucet and work toward the frozen section. Never use an open flame.

Once the pipe thaws, turn the water back on slowly and watch for leaks. Some breaks don’t show up until full pressure returns.

If you can’t find the frozen section or you think a pipe may have burst inside a wall, it’s time to call a professional plumber. This is one of the most common plumbing emergencies in Des Moines winters.

A Simple Step That Can Save a Lot of Trouble

Dripping a faucet in winter isn’t complicated, and it doesn’t have to run for weeks on end. It’s a short-term move during real cold. But it can be the difference between a quiet winter night and major water damage.

Schaal Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has helped Des Moines homeowners through Iowa winters for over 75 years. If you’re worried about frozen pipes, winter prep, or need help during a plumbing emergency, our team is here.

You can schedule online or call (515) 207-6042 for service.