10 Ways to Winterize Your Home This Fall: The Complete Chicagoland Guide

Sam Simon

September 23, 2025

Preparing your home for a Chicago winter is essential to avoid frozen pipes, high energy bills, and costly repairs. From changing furnace filters and sealing drafts to cleaning gutters and inspecting chimneys, our 10 Ways to Winterize Your Home checklist covers every critical step. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons helps homeowners across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and Oak Park–River Forest stay safe, warm, and protected all season long.

Why Winterizing Matters in Chicagoland

Chicago winters are legendary — freezing winds, ice dams, snow buildup, and sudden temperature drops. Without proper preparation, homeowners face higher energy bills, water damage, fire risks, and costly repairs. Winterizing your home in the fall is one of the smartest investments you can make to protect your property and your family’s comfort.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve helped Chicagoland families for over 40 years with water damage restoration, fire and smoke cleanup, mold remediation, and specialty cleaning. Based on that expertise, we’ve built this cornerstone winterization checklist for homeowners across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, Oak Park, and River Forest.

10 Essential Ways to Winterize Your Home

1. Change Your Furnace Filters

Replace monthly during heating season.
Clogged filters reduce airflow, strain your system, and raise utility bills.
Vacuum register covers to prevent dust buildup.

2. Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection

Check for carbon monoxide leaks and blower operation.
Inspect gas lines and overall system efficiency.
Hire certified technicians for peace of mind.

3. Drain A/C & Exterior Water Lines

Shut off and drain hoses, outdoor faucets, and air conditioning (A/C) pipes.
Prevent frozen pipes and costly water damage.

4. Adjust Your Water Heater

Set the temperature to 120°F for safety and savings.
Reduces energy costs by up to 10%.

5. Seal Drafts & Improve Insulation

Install weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows.
Use draft stoppers (DIY “draft snakes” work well).
Add insulation in attics or crawl spaces.

6. Smart Thermostat Use

Lower heat when away to save energy.
Modern smart thermostats reheat quickly without wasted cost.

7. Inspect Fireplaces & Chimneys

Look for animal nests or creosote buildup.
Schedule a professional chimney sweep before first use.

8. Protect Outdoor Plants & Equipment

Bring potted plants indoors before temps drop below 45°F.
Clean and store outdoor tools like mowers and trimmers.

9. Trim Overhanging Trees

Ice and heavy snow can snap branches.
Protects your home, roof, and vehicles from falling debris.

10. Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Remove leaves before freeze-up to prevent ice dams.
Ensure downspouts direct water away from your foundation.

Bonus Tasks for Comprehensive Winter Prep

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Check attic and basement for leaks or pests.
Stock up on emergency supplies (batteries, salt, blankets).
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand coverage before winter storms hit.

Why Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

40+ years of local expertise serving Chicago and the suburbs.
Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration brand.
IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer and Master Textile Restorer credentials.
Award-winning firm: 2025 Inc. 5000 Honoree, 2024 Chicago Star Award, 2020 BBB Torch Award.
Proud members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA).

Whether you’re preparing for winter or responding to a disaster, we provide:

Call to Action

Don’t wait for the first freeze. Protect your investment now with help from Chicagoland’s trusted restoration and cleaning experts.

Call us at (773) 376-1110 for Chicago & North Shore, or (847) 316-9145 for Lake County.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a multi-award-winning disaster restoration and cleaning company serving Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and DuPage County. Co-owned by Nasutsa Mabwa (CEO) and Sam Simon (COO, IICRC Master Restorer, author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset), the company combines local trust with national legacy.

We proudly serve neighborhoods including Logan Square, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glenview, Oak Park, and River Forest.

FAQ

Q: What is the cheapest way to winterize a home in Chicago?
The most cost-effective steps include sealing drafts with weatherstripping, replacing furnace filters, and lowering your water heater's temperature.

Q: When should I start winterizing my house in Illinois?
Begin in early to mid-fall (September–October) before the first freeze. Waiting too long risks frozen pipes and higher repair costs.

Q: How do I keep pipes from freezing in winter?
Shut off and drain exterior faucets, insulate exposed pipes, and keep indoor temperatures above 55°F, even when away.

Q: Do gutters really need to be cleaned before winter?
Yes. Clogged gutters lead to ice dams, roof leaks, and foundation damage during freeze-thaw cycles.

Q: How often should I schedule a furnace inspection?
At least once per year in the fall. Professional checks catch carbon monoxide leaks, system inefficiencies, and fire hazards.

Q: Is chimney cleaning really necessary every year?
If you burn wood regularly, yes. Creosote buildup is highly flammable and a significant contributor to chimney fires.

Q: Can I save money by turning off the heat when I leave the house?
Don’t shut it off completely. Lower it by 7–10 degrees; modern thermostats reheat quickly and save up to 10% annually on energy costs.

Q: Should outdoor plants be brought inside before winter?
Yes. Move potted plants indoors when nighttime temps fall below 45°F to prevent cold shock and frost damage.

Q: What’s the number one cause of winter home insurance claims?
Frozen pipes and resulting water damage are among the top winter claims in the Chicagoland area.

Q: Do you offer both residential and commercial winterization cleaning?
Yes. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides services for homeowners and businesses across Chicago and the suburbs.

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile

Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of partner and CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.

Restoration and Recovery Tips

Get Help Now

Flooded basement? Burst pipe? Don’t wait—water damage spreads fast. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides 24/7 emergency water damage cleanup for Chicagoland and North Shore homes. With 40+ years of local expertise and IICRC-certified crews, we’ll protect your property and start the restoration immediately.