[CamaroFemme]

I'm in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, and it's freakin' colder than usual here. I left a tap running a very light stream of hot water last night, but I was just wondering (since it so rarely comes up here): what temperature should I start doing this?

CF

[rodimus prime]

I would say in the teens. As long as you dont have any exposed to that temp they should be okay. But it doesnt hurt to leave a faucet dripping. Mine busted last year because I left my garage door open over night. When they thawed my garage was a mad water fest.

[mfr1950]

I leave a little water running when it drops to 12-15 degrees,How well is your house insulated??

[drtwo]

Depends in theory if the pipes are exposed to the outside air it may only take upper twenties to freeze the water inside. The higher the pressure in the pipe will add a little protection, but not much. I'd say just take your fingers and put them up to your teeth and chew...and pray they don't bust as it is quite a pain to fix in the cold.

I'm sure you will be fine as most homes (other than moble homes) are pretty well insulated even in the crawl space.

[pastohio]

Seems that public schools taught me water freezes at 32 degrees, now throw in all the other crap, outside, in the walls, or whatever....

[MONTANACARGUY]

It was 23 below zero here on monday...no frozen pipes ever. I think you are supposed to let the cold water run a little bit to help it to not freeze, not the hot.

you may not have the same insulation level we have here in Montana so I would think anytime it's gonna get to 32 or lower you might want to leave it run.

[meanmike]

For those in the south it might be different but you should'nt have to leave your water running if your home is heated and insulated. I own to home's one in Maine and one in Indiana and the water is never left running.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

I'm in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, and it's freakin' colder than usual here. I left a tap running a very light stream of hot water last night, but I was just wondering (since it so rarely comes up here): what temperature should I start doing this?

CF

Depends. Are you on city water or do you have a well? If you have a well, you will want to anytime it drops below freezing to prevent the water pump from freezing as these pipes are exposed to the cold. If you get your water from the city then you only need to do this if the pipes are exposed outside or if you pipes are not buried below the frost line of your area.

[springerpete]

He's right leave the cold water on. Just make it a very light drip. The water only has to move to keep it from freezing. I live in Ponca and it's supposed to be down below zero tonite.

[skuttduck]

I can barely remember having any pipes freeze in the houses we grew up in.

I believe the only issue that you would have with that is if your pipes run in an area where it is uninsulated.

I believe as long as you get normal use you would be fine. I also kind of wondered about the outside taps for the hose, but it's been -18 here and I've not had an issue.

You could always insulate your pipes that will help to. It's nice to do it to the hot water and notice that it doesn't take as long for that water to get up to heat when you run a shower.

[CamaroFemme]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Depends. Are you on city water or do you have a well? If you have a well, you will want to anytime it drops below freezing to prevent the water pump from freezing as these pipes are exposed to the cold. If you get your water from the city then you only need to do this if the pipes are exposed outside or if you pipes are not buried below the frost line of your area.

I'm in the countryside but have city water. The only exposed pipe I have is outside where the garden hose links up. It's actually funny (..kinda) because a few hours after I posted the original question, that pipe burst! But it was no big deal, it didn't run long, and my uncle fixed it. I just have no way to wash the car at home now (not a tremendous loss)

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by meanmike

For those in the south it might be different but you should'nt have to leave your water running if your home is heated and insulated. I own to home's one in Maine and one in Indiana and the water is never left running.

+1. I've been in Buffalo here for my entire life...we've never left our water running in the winter. Negative temperatures are common here...yesterday it was 2.

In fact...and I'm surprised at myself...I've never even heard of this before now!

[Iroczlover]

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

I'm in the countryside but have city water. The only exposed pipe I have is outside where the garden hose links up. It's actually funny (..kinda) because a few hours after I posted the original question, that pipe burst! But it was no big deal, it didn't run long, and my uncle fixed it. I just have no way to wash the car at home now (not a tremendous loss)

just about a month ago we had temps freezing, staying in the 20s if not teens at night & warming up to maybe 30 if we were lucky, we had several people pipes burst but not ours (knock on wood) Ours are exposed but I just let the cold water run during the night when I went to bed.

on the car washing thing you shouldnt wash your car during times where Its suppose to be drop down to freezing or below because it can shatter the windshield (or at least Thats what I tell people at work to prevent to having to wash my van during the winter months Lol)