When the “Hard Freeze” warnings start scrolling across the bottom of the TV screen, every homeowner in Lafayette asks the same question: Should I leave my faucets dripping tonight?
The confusion is real, which is why KATC News turned to our owner, Travis Hargrave, for the final word in their feature: “To Drip or Not: Expert Advice on Cold Weather Sink Usage.”
The Short Answer: Yes, But Do It Right
In the KATC segment, Travis clarifies that while dripping isn’t always necessary for a light frost, it is a lifesaver during the sustained, deep freezes we’ve seen recently in Acadiana.
But here’s the catch—most people drip the wrong way.
Travis’s Pro Tips for Proper Dripping:
- Which Faucets? You don’t need to drip every single sink. Focus on the ones located on outside walls. These are the most vulnerable to the cold air moving through your siding or brick.
- How Much Water? You don’t need a stream of water. As Travis explained, a slow, steady drip is enough to keep the water moving and, more importantly, to relieve the pressure that builds up between the ice and the faucet.
- Cold or Hot? Travis recommends dripping the cold water. It’s the cold line that usually freezes first since it isn’t insulated by a water heater’s warmth.
- Don’t Forget the Cabinets: A tip Travis often shares with our Lafayette neighbors is to open your cabinet doors under the sink. This allows the warm air from your home to reach the pipes that are tucked away against the cold exterior walls.
Why Pressure is the Real Enemy
Many people think pipes burst because the ice “pushes” through the metal. As Travis pointed out to KATC, it’s actually the air pressure trapped between the ice blockage and the closed faucet that causes the pipe to rupture. By dripping the faucet, you give that pressure an escape route.
Trust the “Acadiana’s Choice” Expert
Whether you’re in Lafayette, Carencro, or Scott, the plumbing in our part of the world requires a local touch. We don’t have the deep-buried lines they have up North, so we have to be smarter about our maintenance.
We want to thank the team at KATC for helping us spread the word on proper winterization. You can check out the full video interview with Travis on the KATC website.
Still have questions about your home’s plumbing safety? Don’t wait until the pipes are frozen solid. Call Hargrave’s Plumbing—voted Acadiana’s Choice Best Plumber—at [Insert Phone Number] or visit us at www.hargravesplumbing.com.
