🥶 Why Northwest Arkansas Businesses Can’t Ignore Frozen Pipes

The winter chill in Northwest Arkansas, from Springdale to Rogers and West Fork and beyond might not always bring snow, but when the temperatures drop the threat is real.

Frozen pipes can quickly transform a manageable winter into a catastrophic headache involving flooding, business interruption, and five-figure repair bills which were not included in the budget planning if any of your pipes burst.

At 911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas, we are super familiar with how this process goes and we also understand this region of Arkansas. We deal with devastating crisis like situations often so we are well versed in water damage restoration solutions.

As the temperatures hover right around the freezing mark, it becomes incredibly dangerous for exposed pipes. In this blog we will share information that we have learned over the years to minimize the disruption for your business if you have a pipe burst at your facility.

Why This Matters:

The Real Cost of Frozen Pipes

In Springdale Arkansas Commercial Properties that have a single burst pipe can discharge 250 gallons of water per hour.

In a commercial building, that means destroyed inventory, ruined equipment, and potentially weeks of halted operations.

Top 5 financial devastation comes from the additional losses:

1. Business interruption costs: Lost revenue during repairs.
2. Emergency plumbing service: Often 2-3x standard rates.
3. Commercial Property damage restoration: Drywall, flooring, contents restoration and storage if applicable.
4. Tenant displacement expenses: Temporary relocation costs to hotels or airBnB.
5. Insurance premium increase: Future coverage may be impacted if the pipe burst incident was preventable and due to negligence.

The Northwest Arkansas Freeze Risk

While NWA winters are considered mild compared to the extreme Northeast of the United States our climate in Springdale, does present a few unique risks of inconsistency.

• Average Lows: Winter overnight beginning around January, lows in Springdale and surrounding cities, routinely drop into the high 20s and low 30s.
• The Critical Danger Zone: Any time the mercury dips below 20 degrees for several consecutive hours, the water in vulnerable and uninsulated pipes are at risk of freezing and expanding.
• Rapid Thaw: When a sudden temperature spike occurs, a frozen pipe can thaw quickly, turning a hairline crack into a massive, uncontrolled leak that causes widespread flooding in minutes.

Top 3 Costly Misconceptions in Commercial Property

Many business owners believe a low thermostat is enough to save on energy costs. However, setting the heat too low, especially in unoccupied wings or storage areas is often the direct cause of a pipe burst.

1. Water Damage: Flooded floors, soaked drywall, ruined inventory, and compromised electrical systems.
2. Structural Damage: Water saturation can weaken wood framing and lead to the collapse of ceiling tiles or entire ceilings. We’ve seen this happen and this can be a devasting scenario that puts you out of business for months.
3. Business Interruption: Your business facility may need to shut down, leading to massive revenue loss and frustration from customers.

A Commercial Property Damage loss can cost exponentially more than the money you may have saved on low heating cost. The Real Damage is not only Water Damage.

When a commercial pipe bursts, the fallout is a financial chain reaction that has a trickle effect.

🚨 How 911 Restoration NWA Handles Pipe Burst

If a burst pipe and disrupts your business this winter, you can feel confident that you have a local experienced partner in 911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas, that will act quickly.

Once you call us at 479-223.5148 here’s what you can expect.

At 911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas, we have a 24/7 Emergency Commercial Response Team that is the lifeline in Springdale and surrounding service area communities.

We specialize in commercial water damage and have the expertise and team available to:

1. Respond Immediately: Our local team is ready 24/7/365 to start water extraction and structural drying immediately. By responding quickly this will minimize your total damage and downtime.
2. Handle Complex Commercial Systems: We understand and have experience handling the challenges of fire suppression lines, HVAC units, and large-scale commercial drying needs.
3. Provide Full-Service Restoration: We will manage the entire restoration process with great communication to your team from water damage removal and drying to mold prevention and reconstruction, streamlining your recovery.

Don’t wait for the pipe to burst. Be prepared for what you know will come this winter, which are freezing temperatures.

If you would like to review our full Commercial Winterization Checklist to ensure your property is protected this season, contact us directly at 479.223.5148.