Emergency Alert: How to Protect Your Home Before the Polar Vortex Hits Chicagoland

Sam Simon

November 25, 2025

A dangerous Polar Vortex is heading toward Chicagoland, bringing subzero temperatures that can freeze pipes, burst plumbing lines, and cause major water damage in just hours. This emergency guide from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons explains the immediate steps homeowners must take to protect their property, prevent frozen pipes, and avoid costly winter disasters across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and the Northwest Suburbs.

A surge of arctic air is moving into Chicagoland this week, bringing dangerously low temperatures, strong winds, and the exact conditions that lead to frozen pipes, burst plumbing lines, ice dams, attic condensation, and widespread water damage.

With more than 40 years of experience helping Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and the Northwest Suburbs recover from extreme cold events — including past Polar Vortexes and deep freezes — ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is issuing an urgent homeowner preparedness alert.

This guide, written by IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer Sam Simon (and co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset), outlines the immediate steps every homeowner should take in the next 24–48 hours.

You can find the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779529

Why This Cold Snap Is Dangerous for Homes

When temperatures drop rapidly — especially with wind chills — we see a major spike in:

Frozen and burst interior pipes
Leaks from ice dams
Sump pump failures
Boiler and radiator line ruptures
Roof and attic condensation leading to mold
Flooded basements caused by frozen discharge lines

These failures often occur overnight, and the damage spreads quickly.

Your 10-Point Polar Vortex Emergency Prep Checklist

1. Let faucets drip overnight

Especially in kitchens and bathrooms on exterior walls.

2. Open cabinet doors

Allow warm air to reach pipes behind kitchen and bathroom bases.

3. Insulate exposed pipes

Basements, crawlspaces, garages, and utility rooms are highest risk.

4. Disconnect outdoor hoses

A frozen hose can burst the interior line — this is extremely common.

5. Locate your main water shutoff valve

Fast action can reduce a $25,000 loss to a $5,000 loss.

6. Raise your thermostat to 65°F or higher

Prevents wall cavity temperatures from dropping too low.

7. Seal drafts around doors and windows

Even small air leaks can freeze pipes when wind chills hit.

8. Test your sump pump

Pour a bucket of water into the pit and confirm the pump activates.

9. Keep garage doors closed

Many pipe bursts occur in walls adjacent to unheated garages.

10. Check attic ventilation

Improper ventilation + frigid temps = condensation and mold.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes or Bursts

If frozen:

Turn the faucet on
Warm the area with a hair dryer or space heater
Never use open flame

If burst:

Shut off your main water immediately
Turn off electricity near the affected area
Call a restoration professional
Begin removing standing water if safe

FAQ: Surviving the Polar Vortex & Preventing Water Damage

1. How fast can pipes freeze in Chicago’s Polar Vortex conditions?

When temperatures drop into the teens or single digits, exposed pipes can freeze in as little as 2–6 hours, especially in older homes or homes with uninsulated walls.

2. What are the signs my pipes are about to freeze?

Slow trickle from faucets
Banging sounds inside walls
Frost on visible pipes
Sudden drop in water pressure

3. Will homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?

Yes — if the pipe burst was sudden and accidental. Insurance does not cover long-term neglected issues.

4. Should I turn off the water if I’m leaving home during the freeze?

Yes. If you're away for more than 24 hours, shutting off the main water supply is recommended.

5. Can mold form quickly after a burst pipe?

Yes. Mold can form within 24–48 hours, especially in wall cavities, basements, and under flooring.

6. What should I do if I see water stains on ceilings during the freeze?

This could be an ice dam or attic condensation. Call for evaluation immediately — delays worsen structural and mold issues.

If You Need Emergency Help During the Polar Vortex

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons responds 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Our crews specialize in cold-weather restoration, structural drying, mold prevention, and emergency water extraction.

Contact Us Anytime

Chicago: (773) 376-1110
North Shore (Skokie): (847) 316-9145
Lake County (Deerfield): (847) 316-9145
Oak Park / River Forest: (708) 524-0304

Our Core Restoration Services (with Internal Links)

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

Act Fast — Protect Your Chicago Property Now

When water intrudes into your Chicago home or business, the damage begins immediately. Moisture spreads through flooring, walls, insulation, and electrical systems within minutes, and delays can lead to mold growth, structural deterioration, and costly long-term repairs.

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides rapid, expert water damage restoration throughout Chicago. With 40+ years of local experience and IICRC-Certified technicians on every job, we respond quickly, stabilize the loss, and restore your property with precision and care.

Water damage won’t wait — and neither should you. Contact our Chicago team now for immediate help and a fast on-site assessment.

(773) 376-1110

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Emergency Alert: How to Protect Your Home Before the Polar Vortex Hits Chicagoland

Why This Cold Snap Is Dangerous for Homes

Your 10-Point Polar Vortex Emergency Prep Checklist

1. Let faucets drip overnight

2. Open cabinet doors

3. Insulate exposed pipes

4. Disconnect outdoor hoses

5. Locate your main water shutoff valve

6. Raise your thermostat to 65°F or higher

7. Seal drafts around doors and windows

8. Test your sump pump

9. Keep garage doors closed

10. Check attic ventilation

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes or Bursts

If frozen:

If burst:

FAQ: Surviving the Polar Vortex & Preventing Water Damage

1. How fast can pipes freeze in Chicago’s Polar Vortex conditions?

2. What are the signs my pipes are about to freeze?

3. Will homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?

4. Should I turn off the water if I’m leaving home during the freeze?

5. Can mold form quickly after a burst pipe?

6. What should I do if I see water stains on ceilings during the freeze?

If You Need Emergency Help During the Polar Vortex

Contact Us Anytime

Our Core Restoration Services (with Internal Links)

Water Damage Restoration

Fire Damage Restoration

Mold Remediation

Specialty Cleaning Services

Sam Simon

Subscribe

Restoration and Recovery Tips

Act Fast — Protect Your Chicago Property Now