Before the Freeze: 15 winter checks for Chicagoland homes

Hoses off, outdoor faucets shut and drained

Now, before a hard freeze

A crack one-eighth of an inch wide in a frozen pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day (University of Illinois Extension). Close the inside valve to each outdoor faucet, then open the faucet outside so the line drains (American Red Cross).

You. No inside valve, or a drip inside the wall: a licensed pro for the pipe work.

Gutters clear, downspouts carry water 5 feet out

Once the leaves are down

Downspouts should end at least 5 feet from the foundation, and gutters should be clean as winter approaches (Building America Solution Center). Ice dams start with attic heat melting the snow above it, so sealing and insulating the attic is what prevents them (University of Minnesota Extension).

You, from a stable ladder. Gutters that sag, leak or pull away: we replace gutters, booked for the warmer months.

Window wells clear, escape-window covers open from inside

After every snow

Covers and grilles over an escape window must open from inside without a key or tool (2018 International Residential Code, R310.4), the edition Algonquin and Crystal Lake build to. Keep snow off them so they can.

You. A basement bedroom with no code-size escape window: we install egress windows.

Deck cleared with a plastic shovel, de-iced the maker’s way

After every snow

Decking makers advise a plastic shovel, and they differ on de-icers: TimberTech says no rock salt on any deck (TimberTech), while Trex allows rock salt or calcium chloride (Trex). Follow your decking’s care guide.

You. Planning a new deck: we build decks, booked for the warmer months.

Sprinkler system drained

Before winter

Water left in the pipes can freeze, expand and break them. Rain Bird recommends a local irrigation specialist, because draining a system has safety risks (Rain Bird).

An irrigation company.

Furnace filter checked every month

Monthly, all winter

ENERGY STAR advises inspecting, cleaning or changing the filter once a month. A dirty filter can raise energy costs and damage the equipment (ENERGY STAR).

You.

Furnace checkup booked, and its age noted

Every fall

ENERGY STAR advises having the heating system checked in the fall (ENERGY STAR). The Department of Energy suggests considering a replacement when a furnace is more than 15 years old (Energy Saver Guide, page 14).

A heating technician for the checkup. Time to replace: we replace furnaces.

Dryer, furnace and fireplace vents clear of snow

After every snow

The U.S. Fire Administration advises keeping dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace vents clear of snow. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen when a fuel-burning appliance is not vented properly (USFA).

You.

Humidifier water panel replaced

At the start of the heating season

AprilAire says to replace the water panel once a year on most of its models, and twice a season on its Model 400 (AprilAire). Follow your own humidifier’s manual.

You.

Pipes on outside walls sleeved, main shutoff found

Before the first cold snap

Pipes along outside walls and in unheated spaces freeze first. Fit pipe sleeves and keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even when you’re away (American Red Cross). Know how to shut off the water in case a pipe bursts (University of Illinois Extension).

You. A frozen or burst pipe: a licensed pro for the pipe work.

Basement cracks marked and dated, water signs checked

Now, and again after the thaw

Soaked soil around a house can push water through small cracks and gaps into the basement (University of Illinois Extension). Pencil a line at each end of a crack, date it, and compare in spring.

You. Water that keeps coming in: we waterproof from inside and repair cracks.

Smoke alarm on every level and near every bedroom

Test monthly

Illinois law: one on every story, basements included, and one within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping. A battery-only alarm that is newly installed, more than 10 years old or failing needs a sealed, long-term battery, unless it is on a monitored system or connects by a low-power wireless signal or Wi-Fi (425 ILCS 60/3). From 2019 to 2023, 53% of US home fire deaths happened between November and March (NFPA).

You. Test each alarm monthly and replace the whole alarm every 10 years (USFA).

Carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of every bedroom

Now, then test it as its instructions say

Illinois requires at least one working carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping (430 ILCS 135/10). From 2019 to 2023, carbon monoxide exposures caused nearly 57 deaths a year in Illinois on average, most often from October to March (Illinois Department of Public Health).

You. Electric heat? A gas water heater or a garage connection still counts; the narrow exemptions are in 430 ILCS 135/20.

Dryer vent cleaned

Once a year

Failure to clean caused 32% of home dryer fires in 2014 to 2018 (NFPA). Clean the lint filter every load and the vent pipe at least once a year (NFPA).

You, or a dryer vent cleaning company.

Radon test with the house closed up

This winter

41% of Illinois homes tested were above the 4.0 pCi/L action level (Illinois Department of Public Health). IEMA calls winter a good time to test, with windows and doors kept closed (IEMA).

You, with a test kit. A follow-up result of 4.0 or more: a mitigator licensed by IEMA.