When can we safely stop dripping our faucets? Info after the NC winter storm
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Keep faucets dripping while temperatures remain at or below 20°F or during outages.
- A slight trickle—one drop every few seconds—usually prevents pipes from freezing.
- Insulate pipes, open cabinets, drain outdoor hoses and keep thermostat above 55°F.
Many of us across North Carolina left our faucets slowly dripping this weekend as a winter storm rolled through the state. We learned that keeping your faucets dripping can help prevent frozen and/or burst pipes — a nightmare any time of year, but especially when temperatures are below freezing.
We’re now wondering if we can stop dripping our pipes. And if not now, when? We spoke with Sarah Kirby, a program leader for NC State’s Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, for answers.
When to stop dripping pipes?
You should keep your faucets dripping as long as temperatures remain at or below 20°F, or if your power goes out. When temperatures rise above freezing, you can stop dripping to avoid wasting water, according to Freeze Miser, a resource Kirby recommends.
This week, temperatures (as of Monday afternoon, Jan. 26) in the Raleigh and Charlotte regions are expected to drop to the teens overnight and be barely above freezing during the day Tuesday.
A slight trickle is all you need to help prevent pipes freezing, Freeze Miser says. That can look like one drop every few seconds, but you can increase that slightly if temperatures are extremely cold (closer to 0°F).
How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze?
Pipes can freeze anytime it’s below 32°F, but insulated pipes usually begin to freeze around 20°F, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
If temperatures stay that long for four to six hours, pipes could be at risk of bursting.
How to protect your pipes
The Dare County Water Department has five tips to help protect your pipes during extreme cold:
- 1. Insulate your pipes. You can wrap them in foam or fiberglass, especially in places like crawlspaces, garages or attics.
- 2. Drip the faucet. Even a small trickle can relieve pressure, which can prevent ice from building up.
- 3. Open your cabinets. This will help keep warm air flowing around the pipes.
- 4. Drain outdoor hoses and faucets. The ideal time for this would be before freezing temperatures roll in.
- 5. Keep your thermostat above 55°F. Do this even when you’re away.
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 12:11 PM with the headline "When can we safely stop dripping our faucets? Info after the NC winter storm."
