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Guide · Illinois

Winterizing a parent’s home in Illinois: a 10-point checklist

Northern Illinois usually sees its first hard freeze by late October or early November. Here’s what to take care of at Mom or Dad’s house before it does.

  1. 01Shut off and drain the outdoor faucetsClose the indoor shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet, open the outside tap to drain it, and disconnect hoses. A frozen, split pipe inside the wall is one of the most common and expensive winter repairs.
  2. 02Swap the furnace filterA clean filter helps the furnace run efficiently through the heating season. Note the size printed on the filter so the next one is easy to buy.
  3. 03Book a furnace check if it’s been a whileA licensed HVAC technician can catch problems before the first cold snap, when appointments are hardest to get.
  4. 04Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsFurnaces, fireplaces and closed windows make CO detectors especially important in winter. Replace batteries while you’re there.
  5. 05Test the sump pumpPour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump turns on and drains it. Winter thaws and early spring rain can overwhelm a pump that has quietly failed.
  6. 06Clear gutters and check downspoutsLeaves left in gutters can cause ice dams and water against the foundation. Make sure downspouts point water away from the house.
  7. 07Stage salt, a shovel and a flashlight near the doorPut ice melt somewhere your parent can reach without stepping onto ice to get it. A flashlight by the door helps during outages.
  8. 08Sort out snow removal before the first stormDecide who clears the driveway and walks. Seasonal contracts usually fill up by November.
  9. 09Show everyone where the main water shutoff isIf a pipe does burst, knowing where to turn off the water in the first few minutes makes a huge difference.
  10. 10Set a safe minimum temperature for tripsIf your parent travels, keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher and arrange for someone to check the house after cold snaps.

When to do it

Aim for mid to late October, before overnight temperatures start dropping below freezing. Faucets and hoses come first, since they’re the most likely to cause damage.

If you can’t get there yourself

Most of this list takes about an hour. If you live far away, a neighbor, a handy friend or a service like Porchlight can do it and send you photos so you know it’s done.

This guide is general information. For gas, electrical or plumbing repairs, always call a licensed professional.