Winter is Coming: Additional Steps to Winterize Your Chicago Home (Part 2)

Preparing your Chicago home for winter involves more than just the basics. In the first part of our series, we covered essential steps like cleaning gutters and checking detectors. Now, we’ll explore more advanced measures to protect your property and enhance your comfort ahead of this weekend’s brutal cold temps. These steps not only guard against the harsh weather but also improve your home’s energy efficiency, leading to significant savings.

Our professionals can show you how to transform your space into a warm, secure, and stylish sanctuary that stands up to a Chicago winter.

Advanced Insulation Techniques

Proper insulation is your home’s first line of defense against the cold. While basic measures help, taking a more thorough approach ensures warmth stays in and cold stays out. A well-insulated home is a comfortable and cost-effective home.

Insulate Your Attic and Crawlspace

Heat naturally rises, making the attic one of the biggest sources of heat loss in a home. Inspecting your attic insulation is crucial. Over time, insulation can settle, get damaged, or become less effective. Adding new insulation or topping off existing layers can make a substantial difference in your home’s ability to retain heat. Similarly, insulating your crawlspace prevents cold air from seeping up through the floors, keeping your living areas warmer and your feet happier.

Seal and Insulate Your Ducts

Your home’s ductwork is the circulatory system for your heating. Leaks in ducts, especially those running through unheated spaces like attics or basements, can waste a tremendous amount of energy. Heated air escapes before it ever reaches your rooms. Sealing these leaks with mastic sealant or metal-backed tape is a powerful way to improve your HVAC system’s efficiency. After sealing, wrapping the ducts in insulation provides an extra layer of protection, ensuring the warm air you pay for gets where it needs to go.

Protect Your Pipes

We mentioned shutting off exterior water sources in our previous post, but interior pipes also need attention. Pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawlspaces, or exterior walls are vulnerable to freezing. A burst pipe can cause catastrophic water damage. You can protect them by using pipe sleeves or heat tape. This simple precaution provides peace of mind and can save you from costly and stressful emergency repairs during a deep freeze.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Modernizing your home with energy-efficient technology is a smart investment. These upgrades not only lower your utility bills but also contribute to a more comfortable and sustainable living environment.

• Smart Thermostats: A smart thermostat learns your household’s patterns and adjusts the temperature automatically. It can lower the heat when you’re away and warm the house just before you return. This intelligent management of your heating system eliminates wasted energy without sacrificing comfort.
• Energy-Efficient Windows: Older, single-pane windows are a major source of heat loss. Upgrading to double or triple-pane windows with low-E coatings can drastically reduce heat transfer. If new windows aren’t in the budget, applying insulating window film or using heavy, thermal-lined curtains can also provide an effective barrier against the cold.
• Comprehensive Weatherproofing: Go beyond basic caulk and weatherstripping. Use foam sealant for larger gaps around pipes and wiring. Install door sweeps to block drafts under exterior doors. Consider adding insulation gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls to stop subtle but persistent air leaks.

Winter Landscaping and Yard Prep

Your home’s exterior also needs preparation for the impending snow and ice. Protecting your landscaping ensures your yard will return to its beautiful state in the spring.

Start by protecting vulnerable plants. Wrap delicate shrubs, like boxwoods and arborvitae, in burlap to shield them from heavy snow and harsh winds. This prevents branches from breaking and protects foliage from windburn. For smaller plants and perennials, a thick layer of mulch can insulate the roots from freezing temperatures.

It’s also important to prepare your yard for snow. Drain and store garden hoses to prevent them from freezing and cracking. Turn off and drain any irrigation systems. Pruning weak or dead branches from trees near your home or driveway can prevent them from falling under the weight of ice or snow, which could cause damage to your property or vehicles.

Emergency Preparedness

A Chicago winter can bring severe storms that lead to power outages. Being prepared for an emergency is essential for your family’s safety and comfort.

Create a winter emergency kit that is easily accessible. This kit should include:

• Non-perishable food and several gallons of water (enough for three days).
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio.
• Flashlights and plenty of extra batteries.
• A first-aid kit and any necessary medications.
• Warm blankets and extra layers of clothing for each family member.
• A backup charging device for your cell phones.

Store this kit in a designated spot where everyone in the household knows to find it. Having these supplies on hand means you can safely wait out a storm without having to venture out in dangerous conditions.

A Final Home Maintenance Checklist

A final walkthrough of your property can catch any last-minute issues.

• Roof and Chimney: Have a professional inspect your chimney and fireplace to ensure they are clean and safe to use. Check your roof one last time for any loose shingles or potential leak spots.
• Foundations: Walk the perimeter of your home and look for any new cracks in the foundation where cold air or moisture could enter.
• Sump Pump: Test your sump pump to ensure it’s in working order. Melting snow can lead to basement flooding if your pump fails.
• Generators: If you have a backup generator, test it to make sure it’s ready for a potential power outage. Check fuel levels and run it for a short period.

Taking these additional steps will leave your home thoroughly prepared for whatever the winter season brings. You can rest easy knowing you’ve created a safe, warm, and efficient environment for your family.

If you are considering larger projects like installing new windows or upgrading your home’s insulation, our team has the expertise to deliver a seamless transformation. Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us to discuss how we can enhance your home’s style and resilience.