Submitted by throwawayaccountweak t3_ztx0x6 in pittsburgh
your_mail_man t1_j1g0vhg wrote
You can let your faucets trickle because moving water is much less likely to freeze.
splush133 t1_j1g1ckt wrote
Absolutely do this. My house got to 36° a few years ago when my furnace suddenly broke, which led to a frozen pipe and an unexpected bathroom renovation.
Are your floors such different temps because of venting? If so and that’s purposeful for heat savings, it may be worth letting warm air flow on the first floor for the next few days.
throwawayaccountweak OP t1_j1icyvk wrote
House is very poorly insulated. Once it gets into the teens tomorrow I probably won’t have this issue. I had the boiler serviced before thanksgiving but it’s repeatedly short cycling.
serrol_ t1_j1gy7jx wrote
To be very clear: it's not about moving water, it's about pressure. Copper pipes can take a massive amount of pressure, but ice is beyond massive, it's an insane amount of pressure. By opening your faucets, you are allowing that pressure to relieve itself in both directions: pushing back against flow from the city pipes, and into the house. If water were to freeze in your walls, it could trap unfrozen water between the faucet and the ice, meaning pressure can build up FAST and STRONG. Opening your faucets prevents that buildup of pressure, and thus prevents your pipes from bursting.
throwawayaccountweak OP t1_j1id79d wrote
I have 4 faucets: basement, powder room, kitchen, and 2nd floor sinks. I let all of them drip since about 8:00 last night and only my 2nd floor one isn’t working.
The001Keymaster t1_j1ieha0 wrote
If the faucets are in vanities or kitchen sink cabinets, leave the doors to the cabinets open all the way. It lets more heat from the room get to the pipes. With the doors closed all the cold coming off the wall is trapped inside the cabinet.
You can get those little electric heaters for like 15-20 bucks. You just need to be safe with them. Keep it far away from things that could catch fire and don't use extension cords. Also just buy the cheapest one they have because electric heat is 100% efficient. A $300 electric heater that is 500 watts will put out the exact same amount of heat that a $20 electric heater that is the same 500 watts does.
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