Leaving taps dripping, to prevent pipes from freezing?

[opps]

It's a nonsense article. Pipes burst when they freeze, not when they thaw. They can't even get the basics right.

To be fair, and I say this after a couple of pints (and as someone who respects you)... they seem to be saying that the freezing water expands and puts stress on the joints. I believe they are saying that by leaving the tap in a drip state, whilst it will not prevent the tap/pipe from freezing, once the pipe thaws, it will allow the water to escape from the spout rather than a joint.

That said, if a joint has failed, when you turn the tap off, the leak will become obvious anyway.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

To be fair, and I say this after a couple of pints (and as someone who respects you)... they seem to be saying that the freezing water expands and puts stress on the joints. I believe they are saying that by leaving the tap in a drip state, whilst it will not prevent the tap/pipe from freezing, once the pipe thaws, it will allow the water to escape from the spout rather than a joint.

The idea might be....

A dripping tap, will allow the slightly warmer water from below ground pipes, to flow through the exposed above ground pipes, and thus help prevent them freezing. Much depends upon the lengths of the exposed pipes, and temperatures.

 

[opps]

The idea might be....

A dripping tap, will allow the slightly warmer water from below ground pipes, to flow through the exposed above ground pipes, and thus help prevent them freezing. Much depends upon the lengths of the exposed pipes, and temperatures.

You may be correct. I dunno.

The link was from a country which gets significantly colder than most of the UK, and presumably, most Canadians are not on a water meter.

I kinda like the logic, but it is beyond my ken.

 

[denso13]

To be fair, and I say this after a couple of pints (and as someone who respects you)... they seem to be saying that the freezing water expands and puts stress on the joints. I believe they are saying that by leaving the tap in a drip state, whilst it will not prevent the tap/pipe from freezing, once the pipe thaws, it will allow the water to escape from the spout rather than a joint.

But the pipe bursts and joints separate when the water freezes. A tap left to drip will do diddly squat to help as the water will freeze regardless..

It also needs a prolonged cold snap well below freezing, wind also makes it worse, to affect pipework. A bit of a cold few days in winter won't really cause many problems.

 

[Phil473]

The idea might be....

A dripping tap, will allow the slightly warmer water from below ground pipes, to flow through the exposed above ground pipes, and thus help prevent them freezing. Much depends upon the lengths of the exposed pipes, and temperatures.

That may be a part of it. Thinking of a running stream, its less likely to freeze than a pond but will eventually freeze. That's because the water is moving.

I think the principle the North Americans are working on, is that its the build up of pressure during the thaw of frozen pipes which causes the rupture. So the dripping tap will help to reduce the increase of pressure.

But if its that much of an issue, why not simply turn off the stopcock? Perhaps its because many of their homes only have an external one, and its an inconvenience.

Another thought that came to mind; wouldn't they also have potential freezing drain issues with a dripping tap? Perhaps their drains are constructed and/or insuulated differently?

May also be that British water companies don't want everyone dripping their taps, as it could lead to water shortage and/or a drop of pressure for the fire services.

I honestly don't know.

 

[Phil473]

Downstairs tap now dripping permenantly when closed, internal stopcock only partially working.

So booking in a plumber ASAP. Will also get an isolation valve fitted for the pipe that runs from the kitchen, to external taps. I've got tap covers on them, but worth having the ability to completely drain them also.

Neither of the toilets nor any sinks have isolating valves, may spend the cash to get them all done.

 

[denso13]

I think the principle the North Americans are working on, is that its the build up of pressure during the thaw of frozen pipes which causes the rupture.

What pressure? Thawing reduces pressure, it doesn't increase it. The properties of water are quite simple, it doesn't need any guesswork.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I think the principle the North Americans are working on, is that its the build up of pressure during the thaw of frozen pipes which causes the rupture. So the dripping tap will help to reduce the increase of pressure.

The pressure is as a result of the water freezing - ice, occupies more space than water.

May also be that British water companies don't want everyone dripping their taps, as it could lead to water shortage and/or a drop of pressure for the fire services.

No shortage of water in the UK, when there is ice, in winter - the reservoirs are full.

 

[Phil473]

The pressure is as a result of the water freezing - ice, occupies more space than water.



No shortage of water in the UK, when there is ice, in winter - the reservoirs are full.

Last winter down in Surrey...

SES Water: Water supply set to return for 20,000 people

Five bottled water stations will provide supplies on Thursday morning.

www.bbc.com

Though I was referring to the loss of water pressure that could affect the fire services, if everyone started dripping their taps.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2022/12/21/the-truth-about-dripping-faucets-frozen-pipes-and-extreme-cold/

Quoted from above,

"we were reflecting on the old-school advice to “leave the faucets dripping when it gets really cold to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.” While there is truth to it, there are others that do not recommend this strategy. Let’s explore it more carefully.

The City of Houston, Texas warns its residents not to do it because it can cause the water system across the city to lose pressure. In 2021, a spokesperson for the city told KHOU 11 that such consequences could hinder firefighting efforts"

That maybe was the British gas article, suggets we don't drip or taps.

 

[Phil473]

Also from forbes article;

"There is mixed information on this practice internationally as well. In 2018, Richard Burke of the Heating and Plumbing Association of Ireland told the TheJournal.ie that leaving water running is just a myth. He even went on to say that it can cause freezing of the drain as it flows out of the sink. He also reminded readers that there is not much that can be done about water main pipes coming into the homes that freeze"

I'd like to know why this advice regarding freezing drains, isn't given in North America. Different drain design, for different climate perhaps.

"The Legacy Plumbing website notes, “The principle behind leaving faucets dripping is that it constantly replaces the cold, near-freezing water in the most vulnerable pipes with fresh, warm water from the pipes below the ground.”

That supports what Harry said earlier.

 

[denso13]

The principle behind leaving faucets dripping is that it constantly replaces the cold, near-freezing water in the most vulnerable pipes with fresh, warm water from the pipes below the ground.

Warm? Rivers freeze, waterfalls freeze, oceans freeze. A dripping tap will not help at all. It's just science.

 

[Phil473]

Warm? Rivers freeze, waterfalls freeze, oceans freeze. A dripping tap will not help at all. It's just science.

Yes moving water will freeze, but is less likely to freeze than stagnant water. So if hiking, you'll see ponds freeze while waterfalls, stream are still flowing. Of course, with enough cold weather the waterfalls themselves will freeze.

Ocean water does indeed freeze, but at a lower temp due to salt content.