Running water at night when temperatures are below freezing

Question

I’ve been told to run the faucet furthest from the water meter at a slow trickle at night to prevent the pipes in our two story home from freezing (it’s about 5 degrees F where I am). Why do they recommend doing this at night only and not during the day—for example, when you’re away at work? If the temperature is below freezing both periods what is the difference? Wouldn’t you want to do this day and night?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Moving water is harder to freeze, it’s as simple as that. No one wants water freezing in their pipes since there is no where for the water to expand to so the pipe can burst.