Nashville, Tennessee – Another surge of Arctic air is lining up to move into Tennessee, and homeowners across the state are being reminded that overlooked winter prep issues can quickly turn into costly damage once temperatures plunge below freezing.
As colder air spreads statewide, frozen pipes remain the most common winter emergency, especially in a region where extended cold is not always expected. Pipes located in crawl spaces, garages, basements, and exterior walls are particularly vulnerable when temperatures fall sharply overnight.
Blocked exterior vents are another frequently missed problem. Dryer, bathroom, and kitchen vents can become clogged by lint, leaves, snow, or ice, trapping moisture that freezes and forces airflow back into the home. These blockages can lead to moisture damage and increase fire risk when appliances cannot vent properly.
Ice dams continue to cause problems across parts of Tennessee during snow events followed by prolonged cold. Heat escaping through uneven attic insulation melts rooftop snow, which then refreezes along colder roof edges. Water backs up beneath shingles, damaging ceilings, insulation, and interior walls. Homes in the Nashville area with limited attic insulation are especially susceptible.
Frozen sump pump discharge lines also rank high among winter hazards. When outlet pipes freeze solid, melting snow or groundwater has nowhere to drain, increasing the risk of basement flooding during brief warmups.
Rounding out the top five is neglected heating equipment. Furnaces and heat pumps that haven’t been checked can struggle during peak demand, leaving homes without reliable heat and pushing residents toward unsafe heating alternatives.
Homeowners are urged to insulate exposed pipes, clear debris from exterior vents, seal crawl spaces where possible, and ensure heating systems are operating efficiently before the cold tightens its grip. Additional cold-related alerts are expected as January’s winter pattern continues across Tennessee.
