Should I Drip My Faucets in an Apartment? (A Plumber’s Guide)

Winters are here and suddenly, you’re hearing everyone talk about dripping faucets. That’s because by keeping a tiny stream of water running, you can stop your pipes from freezing and bursting when the temperature drops. Water expands when it freezes and if it gets trapped in your pipes, it can cause some real damage to them.

A busted pipe isn’t just a plumbing issue but also a full-blown disaster that can flood your entire place and have you spending thousands in repairs.

But if you live in an apartment, things get a little trickier, since you don’t know whether or not you should drip your faucets. Depending on a few things like, where you live, how cold it gets, and what kind of plumbing setup your building has, you can take action accordingly. 

Some landlords insist on it and let the renters drip their faucets while some say it’s a waste of water, also there are some buildings that are built in a way where it doesn’t even matter if you drip the faucet or not.

But coming to the main question, should you drip your faucet in an apartment or not? That’s exactly what we’re going to discuss here and also some other things that you should know about why people drip the faucets and how it helps.

Does dripping actually work?

Dripping faucets works but not in every situation, that’s because moving water doesn’t freeze as easily as still water. A slow drip keeps water flowing just enough to reduce pressure buildup inside the pipes, or else it can actually cause them to burst.

Now, does it always work? Not exactly. It depending on the scenarios like where you live and how the winters are. If temperatures drop below 20°F, dripping can come to great help, especially in homes with older or if there are poorly insulated pipes.

In fact, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety found that letting faucets drip can reduce pipe-freezing risk and avoid them from bursting. But if a pipe is already exposed to extreme cold with no insulation, a drip won’t save it.

I remember this client of mine, whose pipes were frozen solid even with the drip. The problem was the pipes were in an unheated crawl space where there was no insulation and this caused the pipes to froze.

In cases like that, you should take extra steps like heat tape or get better insulation, to keep those pipes from freezing. 

When to drip faucets?

If the temperature drops below 20°F that’s when you need to start dripping your faucets. That’s the number most plumbers agree on because water inside your pipes can freeze and expand, and you will end with busted pipes.

And if the pipe is busted, it’s not just an inconvenience but also causes some serious problems like it can easily destroy your flooring, walls, and anything in the way.

If your pipes are placed in unheated areas, like outside walls or under cabinets, they’re more likely at a higher risk. A dripping faucet can help in keeping things moving just enough to prevent a freeze and reduce the chance of bursting pipes.

The biggest issue with finding a plumber is the 24/7 availability. But, using google map or google search you can find one. For example, I live in Annapolis, so I would search 24/7 plumber Annapolis, and choose the one with the best ratings and good reviews.

Should you drip faucets in your apartment​?

If you live in an apartment, you might be wondering if dripping your faucets is even necessary. After all, you’re not dealing with exposed pipes outside. But there’s something you should know and it’s that the pipes in older buildings or along exterior walls can still freeze when temperatures drop low enough.

In this section, we’ll go over when you should drip your faucets in an apartment, what to check before doing it, and whether your building’s plumbing setup can make a difference.

Understand the apartment building plumbing system

Not every apartment needs dripping faucets and if your building has a central heating system that keeps the pipes warm, you’re probably fine, no need to worry about the burst pipes. 

But if your unit has pipes running through exterior walls, or if the building has poor insulation, things vary. But how do you know that? Just feel the wall under your sink on a cold night, and if it feels too cold to touch, your pipe isn’t safe.

In buildings with individual water lines for each unit, dripping might be able to help. If it’s a shared system, running water from one faucet might be just enough, no need to open all the faucets. You can talk to your landlord or the maintenance team, have them checked then deal with a burst pipe.

Get landlord approval

Before you let that faucet drip, talk to your landlord first. Some buildings have rules about water usage, and running water all night, no matter how little it is, might not sit well with management. You don’t want to get in trouble with the authorities of the building, that’s too much work and headache. 

You can expect an angry email, or worse, a fine added onto your next rent bill. Some landlords also handle frozen pipes differently. Some have insulation installed in place or heating cables you don’t even know about. 

So, it’s better to ask them first and it also saves you from unnecessary trouble. Just a simple text or call will do the work, it’s better than finding out the hard way.

Check the Past History of Frozen Pipes

If the pipes in your building have frozen before, there’s a good chance it could happen again. There are some spots that are just a bit more problematic, no matter how careful you are.

You can always ask your landlord or neighbors if they’ve had problems in past winters. If they allow it, you can ask to check maintenance records, some buildings keep track of this stuff.

If you don’t want to do that, look for the signs yourself, it’s pretty simple. The signs are quite obvious like water stains on the walls or repairs near plumbing lines. By having heads up of the situation on what you’re dealing with, can save you a whole lot of stress later.

Alternatives to Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets surely help, but it also wastes lots of water, so if you’re trying to save it then there are other ways to keep pipes from freezing.

One option that you can try is pipe insulation. It’s really simple, you just need to wrap something around the pipes, like foam sleeves, heat tape, even an old towel, it all helps in keeping the pipes insulated. If the sink is on an outside wall, just leave the cabinet doors open, this way, warm air can reach the pipes.

And for those really cold nights, a space heater near the trouble spots can make a huge difference, but just be careful and don’t leave it unattended.

Should you hire a plumber for dripping?

If your pipes keep freezing or something seems off, calling a plumber and having them take a look at it, isn’t a bad idea.

Since the plumbers know the local codes, they can tell you if something wasn’t installed right or maybe the insulation isn’t enough, or a pipe is in a bad place. They’ll check if the freezing is just bad luck or there’s a bigger issue waiting to happen. They will figure it out and keep things from getting worse.

Also, if you live in a rented house, it’s smart to ask your landlord the right questions before you try anything. A plumber can give you the facts, so you know what to ask before something goes wrong and you have to pay a huge amount for that. 

Conclusion

A dripping faucet might not seem like a big deal, but over time, it can affect your utility bill and also waste water. You may not know but a single leaky faucet can waste around 3,000 gallons of water a year, now that’s money quite literally going down the drain.

Fixing it yourself is possible, but if you’re dealing with frozen pipes or something more complicated, calling in a plumber is much better. They’ll check for bigger problems and make sure everything’s up to code. 

If you live in a rented place then talking to your landlord would be a wise decision. Some won’t fix things unless you ask, and a small leak can turn into a burst pipe if ignored.

A little effort now can save you from a lot of trouble later, so what you can do is, check for signs if there’s a possibility that it can freeze, or call a plumber to guide you. Dealing with it sooner is always better than waiting until it’s an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)