The Thermal Shock of Cold Groundwater
During winter months, incoming municipal water drops from summer averages of 65°F down to near-freezing temperatures (35°F to 40°F). When this frigid water enters a water heater tank operating at 130°F, it subjects the internal steel vessel and glass lining to severe thermal shock. The heater must run twice as long to achieve set-point temperatures, accelerating burner fatigue and expanding tank seams.
Frozen T&P Relief Lines: The Hidden Pressure Trap
In many homes, the temperature and pressure relief valve discharge pipe vents outdoors. During prolonged freezes, water droplets inside this pipe can freeze solid, sealing the pipe with an ice plug. If the heater subsequently overheats, the safety valve cannot release pressure, dramatically escalating the danger of tank rupture. Learn how our emergency flood cleanup crews respond to winter plumbing disasters across the nation.