UBCNews - Business - Frozen Pipes After Extreme Cold? Here's What to Do to Prevent Further Damage

Episode Date: March 6, 2026

Welcome back, everyone. So, we've all seen the headlines – extreme cold hitting the Quad Cities, and suddenly plumbers are swamped. But what exactly happens to your pipes when temperatures plummet, and more importantly, what can you do about it? Joining me today is someone who's been tracking this issue closely. Let's get into it. Northwest Plumbing, Heating & AC City: Davenport Address: 5885 Tremont Ave Website: https://www.callnw.com/

Welcome back, everyone. So we've all seen the headlines, extreme cold hitting the Quad Cities, and suddenly plumbers are swamped. But what exactly happens to your pipes when temperatures plummet? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Joining me today is someone who's been tracking this issue closely. Let's get into it. Thanks for having me. You know, it's funny. Cold snaps aren't new to the Midwest, right? but what catches homeowners off guard is the unpredictability. One day it's manageable, the next you're dealing with a frozen pipe. Right, and frozen pipes sound bad enough, but the real nightmare is when they burst, isn't it?

Exactly. A frozen pipe is a problem, but a burst pipe? That's when you see flooded basements, tens of thousands of dollars in damage. I mean, we're talking about some homeowners this winter who've had catastrophic losses, before they even realized the pipe had burst. Wow. And I've heard Illinois frequently ranks among the top states for frozen pipe damage. We're talking tens of millions in claims annually. The Quad Cities area sees a lot of this activity.

Yeah, and that's not surprising when you consider the infrastructure. Older homes especially are more vulnerable. Newer systems sometimes have built-in freeze protection. Think tankless water heaters. But if you're in an older home, you've got to be proactive. So what are those proactive steps? What should Quad Cities' homeowners be doing right now? Three big things.

First, disconnect hoses from outside faucets. Second, keep cabinet doors open on exterior walls so warm air can circulate around pipes. And third, let water run just a little bit down the drain. Even a trickle helps. The cost of that extra water is way less than repairing a broken pipe. Mm-hmm. Makes sense. Now, what about the areas most at risk?

I'm guessing there are specific pipes. that freeze? Definitely. Pipes along exterior walls in unheated basements or in crawl spaces. Those are your trouble spots. Even shutting off heat to unused rooms can increase the risk. And here's a stat that'll wake you up. An eighth-inch crack in a pipe can leak hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water per day, depending on pressure. That's flooding structural damage, potential mold growth. That's terrifying. Have you ever wondered how much water damage restoration actually costs? Because the pipe repair itself might only run a few hundred to a thousand dollars, but the water damage? That's a whole different story. Absolutely. Water damage restoration costs can range

widely, anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the extent of the damage. National averages vary, but many homeowners see costs in the range of a few hundred dollars. A few few thousand dollars for drying and restoring property. Hmm, I see. And here's the important part about insurance. Homeowner's policies typically cover the sudden water damage, cleaning, repair, drywall, flooring, but they generally don't cover the cost to repair or replace the faulty pipe itself.

That's especially true if the damage was due to neglect or lack of maintenance. That point about maintenance really sets up our next peace, safe ways to handle frozen pipes. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. When extreme cold strikes the Quad Cities, Northwest plumbing, heating, and AC is ready with 24-hour service every day of the year. Since 1923, they've provided residential plumbing solutions including leak repair, drain cleaning, sewer repair, and sump pump services. Their plumbing preventative maintenance plans feature annual inspections to help you avoid cold weather emergencies. Learn more at call nw.com.

Picking up on that maintenance piece, what should someone do if they think a pipe is already frozen? Great question. First, do not, and I can't stress this enough, do not use an open flame to thaw it. That's one of the biggest mistakes people make. It can cause serious damage or create a safety hazard. You know, I actually responded to a call once

where a homeowner tried using a propane torch on a frozen pipe. Let's just say the drywall damage costs more than the frozen pipe would have. Oh, wow, that's a costly lesson. So what's the safe approach? Shut off your water if possible, then contact a professional to thaw the pipe slowly and safely. You can apply gentle heat with a hair dryer, but never a torch or open flame.

And if you're leaving town, keep your heat at 55 degrees or warmer. Some people joke that their thermostat bill is high in winter, but, uh, trust me, it's nothing compared to a fire. It's nothing compared to a flooded basement. Huh, yeah, perspective matters. Let's talk about long-term prevention, because it feels like we're always reacting to the cold, right?

Is there a way to get ahead of it? Absolutely. This is where preventative maintenance comes in. Think of your plumbing like your car. You wouldn't drive 100,000 miles without changing the oil. Regular inspections can catch vulnerabilities before they become disasters. Essentially, you're being proactive,

you're being proactive instead of reactive. So to everyone listening, what does a plumbing maintenance plan actually include? Typically, an annual inspection where a professional checks your entire system, identifies weak points, and makes sure everything's winterized properly. Some plans also include perks like no extra charges for after hours or weekend service, which is huge during emergencies. And the benefits go beyond just winter, don't they? Yeah, you're catching small leaks before they escalate,

extending the life of your fixtures, and honestly, just having peace of mind. It's one of those things where a little investment up front saves you massive headaches and expenses down the road. You're staying ahead of problems rather than chasing them. I had a friend who ignored a slow drip under their sink for months, and by the time they called someone, the subfloor was rotting. Could have been prevented with a simple checkup. Exactly. That's the kind of scenario a maintenance plan helps you avoid. prevention always beats repair.

Before we wrap up, any final thoughts for Quad Cities homeowners bracing for the next cold snap? Stay proactive. Locate and test your main water shutoff valve so you know where it is in an emergency. Eliminate cold air sources near water lines, protect exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape, and don't wait until there's a problem to think about your plumbing. Prevention is way cheaper than repair. Such practical advice. Thanks so much for breaking this down with you.

with us today. And to all our listeners, stay warm, stay prepared, and remember, a little prevention goes a long way.