HOUSTON — With a hard freeze in the forecast, pipes are at risk of bursting, so you need to make sure they’re protected. But do you drip your faucets or do you not drip your faucets? It depends on who you ask.
It’s advice that the City of Houston is telling its residents not to do.
City of Houston officials ask people not to drip faucets during cold weather because it puts unnecessary strain on the city’s water distribution system. Widespread dripping increases overall water demand, making it harder to maintain system pressure and respond if a treatment plant experiences a problem. Instead of dripping faucets, people who get their water from the city of Houston are encouraged to find their home’s water shutoff valve and turn the water off before a freeze, then drain the lines. They say that approach protects homes from burst pipes while helping the city keep water pressure stable for everyone.
REMINDER: Don’t drip faucets during freezing weather; it can lower water pressure. Instead, open doors under sinks to keep pipes warm. pic.twitter.com/Izvjsu86rz
— Houston Public Works (@HouPublicWorks) January 19, 2025
