Village Of Lake In The Hills: Take Action To Prepare Your Home For Winter

Press release from the Village of Lake In The Hills:

November 10, 2021

As we head toward cold weather, take steps to winterize your home. By preparing in the fall, you can reduce your energy costs, prepare for comfort during winter storms and power outages, and prevent damage to your home and property.

Disconnect Hoses, Shut Off Exterior Faucets, and Winterize Sprinklers

Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets to drain and store them where they will be protected from cold weather damage. Faucets can be insulated with foam faucet covers. Winterize your yard sprinkler system before freezing weather arrives.

Clean Your Gutters

Once the last leaves have fallen, clean your gutters of leaves and other debris. While cleaning, take time to inspect and repair your gutters and downspouts for leaks, improper pitch, or loose anchors to ensure that melting snow will drain correctly and not contribute to ice dams and damage. If debris regularly clogs your gutters, consider purchasing gutter guards to prevent buildup. Keep all soffit and roof vents clear of blockages to maintain good air flow over a well-insulated attic. This also helps to avoid ice dams from forming.

Service and Winterize Outdoor Equipment

From lawn movers to snow blowers, complete any needed equipment maintenance activities to keep your equipment running efficiently. Relocate power tools inside the garage to prevent potential damage from winter storms when possible. Consider purchasing covers for items that you are unable to relocate to a garage or shed. If you own a snowblower, complete any necessary maintenance tasks to ensure it is in working order before snowfall. Grills with propane tanks should be stored outdoors with protective covers.

Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Fall is a great time to change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors and use the test buttons to make sure they are in working order. Look for the date stamped on the device. Smoke detectors lose their efficacy after 7-10 years and need to be replaced, just like carbon monoxide alarms. Find more helpful tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on their website.

Prepare Your Roof

Clear your roof of fallen leaves and any debris. Trim trees to ensure that overhanging branches will not cause damage during wind and ice storms. Check that water has not leaked into your attic to protect your home from damaging mildew and mold.

Maintain a Clean Furnace Filter

Make sure your furnace is running efficiently and is inspected regularly. Dirty filters that are full of debris block airflow and can actually cause the furnace to shut down leading to frozen pipes and water damage. Filters and condensate drains should be checked every month.

Consider Energy Saving Features

Conserve energy, save money, and increase comfort by using a programmable thermostat. Adjust the temperature for comfort when you are home and for energy savings when you are away. Visit the ComEd website to learn more and to schedule a home energy assessment.

Prevent Heat Loss

Seal cracks and breaks in walls and ceilings, crawlspaces, basements, and attics. Ensure that your home is sufficiently insulated, especially in areas where pipes are located. Reverse the direction of the ceiling fans in your home to the counter-clockwise setting to properly circulate warm air. Use thermal curtains or drapes in place of light summer draperies to prevent heat loss. Consider adding seasonal window films and insulated floor coverings. Install storm doors and windows with weather-stripping to keep out the cold and trap heat inside.

Protect Interior Piping

Pipes can rupture due to the expansion of water when water freezes in your home’s piping systems. Most vulnerable are pipes that extend through exterior walls and crawlspaces. Spigots located outside the home may also freeze. When freezing weather arises, check your water flow on a regular basis. Regularly open cabinet doors underneath any sinks to allow warm air to flow around the pipes and supply lines. Move cleaners and other items stored beneath the sink out of reach of children.

Consider an Emergency Generator

Residents may install an emergency generator to supply power during power outages. The installation of a whole house permanent generator requires a building permit to check for safe installation. You can learn more and apply for a building permit on our website through the Public Portal at lith.org/public-portal.

Complete Fireplace Maintenance

Before you use your fireplace for the season, schedule an annual inspection and cleaning. Inspections bring to light potential problems that could lead to fires or carbon monoxide backups. Ensure that you have a working fire extinguisher nearby when using your fireplace. Remember, never drape holiday decorations too near the fireplace. Take down any hanging mantle decorations before lighting a fire.

Replenish Emergency Supplies

Before storms hit, make sure that you have emergency supplies for your home and vehicle. Maintain an emergency kit to use during potential power outages. Consider including the following items:

Consider also maintaining a kit for your car with many of these same items along with an ice scraper, jumper cables, and ice melt. Visit https://www.ready.gov/kit to find a full list of suggestions from Ready.Gov.

For additional information on winterizing your home, contact our Community Development Department at 847-960-7400.

This press release was produced by the Village of Lake In The Hills. The views expressed here are the author’s own.