5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for a Winter Freeze in Northern Illinois

As temperatures in Northern Illinois are set to plummet over the next two weeks, it's important to make sure your home is properly prepared for the extreme cold. Here are 5 tips to help you get your home ready for a winter freeze:

Check your insulation.

Ensure that your attic, walls, and floors are properly insulated to keep warm air inside your home and cold air out. If you suspect that your insulation may be inadequate, consider hiring a professional to assess and upgrade it as needed.

Seal up drafts.

Go around your home and look for any cracks or gaps where cold air may be entering. Seal up any drafts you find with weatherstripping, caulk, or draft stoppers.

Service your heating system.

Have a professional service your furnace or boiler to make sure it's in good working order and ready to heat your home throughout the winter. Make sure to change the filter regularly.

Protect your pipes.

Pipes that are located in unheated areas of your home, such as the garage or crawl space, are at risk of freezing and bursting during extremely cold weather. Insulate these pipes with foam insulation or electrical heating tape to keep them warm.

Prepare an emergency kit.

In case of a power outage, have an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and warm blankets.
It's also important to have a generator in case of a power outage.

By following these tips, you can help protect your home from the damage caused by extreme cold and ensure that you and your family stay warm and comfortable all winter long."