As freezing weather approaches the Houston area this weekend, local officials are urging residents to prepare their pipes.

An arctic cold front moving across the state is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures to southeast Texas, and it’s stirring up memories of the deadly February 2021 winter storm as Houstonians rush to protect their homes.

While there’s no question that freezing temperatures can pose a risk to plumbing, experts don’t always agree on whether residents should leave their faucets dripping to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.

Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi advised residents during a Wednesday city council meeting not to leave their faucets dripping, as it can strain the city’s water distribution system.

Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for roughly 48 consecutive hours, Mayor John Whitmire said, adding that engineers will likely sleep on the floor of the city’s water treatment plants to monitor pressure throughout the night.

RELATED: Ted Cruz responds to photo of him en route to California before Texas winter storm

Macchi also encouraged homeowners to know where their water cutoff valve is located. If residents are concerned their pipes might freeze or burst, Macchi recommended they shut off their water and let their pipes drain ahead of the storm. Older houses may have less insulation, meaning pipes are at greater risk of freezing, he said.

"The more people that are dripping, the more water that’s being used, the more demand there is on that system and the more difficult it becomes, if we encounter a challenge in one of our plants, to address that," he told council members.

Unlike Houston, the City of Katy encourages residents to allow cold water to drip from pipes that are susceptible to freezing. The city is also urging residents to drain water lines for swimming pools and sprinkler systems to avoid freezing.

Chato Woodward with Plumbers Local Union # 68 said residents who plan to leave their homes for a day or more during the freeze should drain their water pipes, vacuum breakers and sprinkler lines to prevent any bursts.

Woodward explains in a video posted to YouTube by Ready Harris how to properly shut off a property’s water valve and drain water ahead of freezing weather.

"A lot of people forget about their vacuum breaker and sprinkler piping outside," he said.

This article originally published at Should you drip your faucet during freezing weather? Here’s what Houston officials recommend.