When Chicago’s brutal winter temperatures plummet, your home’s plumbing system faces its greatest annual challenge

Chicago’s notoriously harsh winters bring more than just snow and icy roads – they pose serious threats to your home’s plumbing system. On average, Chicago winters have highs just above freezing. Any time the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a risk that your water pipes can freeze. According to the University of Illinois Building Research Council, the outdoor temperature threshold for frozen pipes is actually around 20 degrees. But in Chicago, we experience average lows of 20 degrees or below in December, January, and February – fully one-quarter of the year.

Understanding how Chicago’s extreme weather affects your plumbing and taking preventive measures can save you from costly repairs and water damage disasters.

The Real Threat: What Happens When Pipes Freeze

Every year, every winter, thousands of Chicago-area homes and businesses fall victim to the same disaster: frozen pipes bursting, sending water flooding through the building. When water freezes inside the pipes, it expands, putting pressure on the walls of the pipes. This pressure can lead to cracks or even bursts in the pipes, resulting in leaks and significant water damage once the water thaws and starts flowing again.

Nationwide, some 250,000 Americans experience property damage every year from flooding caused by ruptured pipes. A mere 1/8-inch crack in a water supply line can be a plumbing disaster that inundates your home with 250 gallons of water per day.

Which Areas of Your Home Are Most Vulnerable

While the pipes along the interior of your home will likely be alright during Winter, there is a risk of the pipes on the exterior walls freezing. This can also include any pipes that are in your garage or basement. The most vulnerable areas include:

• Unheated basements and crawl spaces
• Pipes in exterior walls
• Garage plumbing
• Outdoor faucets and hose connections
• Attic plumbing

The most common cause of frozen pipes is your furnace breaking down in the middle of the night, causing the temperatures in your home to plummet.

Essential Prevention Strategies

Insulation is Your First Defense

You can find inexpensive pipe sleeves at home hardware stores that wrap around exposed pipes to minimize the risk of freezing. Make sure to seal the openings of the sleeves with tape, so there is no place for the cold to sneak in. Insulate exposed water pipes in the garage, basement, crawlspace, and under kitchen or bathroom cabinets. You can do this with old newspapers or professional products like foam and fiberglass insulation.

Keep Water Moving

Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe — even at a trickle — helps prevent pipes from freezing. Leaving both the cold and hot water faucets in your home slightly open will keep the water inside your pipes moving constantly. Pipes are less likely to freeze when the water inside them is flowing. Even when a faucet is dripping slowly, this small movement can help protect your pipes.

Maintain Consistent Heat

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. While you may incur a higher heating bill, you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst. If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.

Cabinet Door Strategy

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. This simple step helps warm air reach pipes that are typically hidden behind cabinet doors.

Winterize Your Outdoor Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing fixtures that will not be in use during winter should be drained fully. Disconnect outdoor hoses from connected faucets and drain them. Drain your swimming pool and sprinkler system. Shut the inside valve on outdoor hose-bibs/faucets and open the bib/faucet to let it drain completely.

Don’t Forget Your Water Systems

Chicago’s winter weather also affects other crucial home systems. Drain the water heater of any built-up sediment to prevent breakdowns. Set the water heater thermostat to a toasty 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Test that the sump pump is working and make any needed repairs.

When to Call Professional Help

If you discover frozen pipes, act quickly but safely. The city of Chicago advises residents to not thaw out pipes using candles or open flames. “Instead, please use a hair dryer or heating pad,” the department said.

For comprehensive winter plumbing preparation and emergency repairs, professional plumbing in Chicago services are essential. All Rooter Plumbing, a locally owned and operated company serving Chicago and surrounding areas, specializes in protecting homes from winter plumbing disasters. With their 24/7 emergency response and transparent pricing, they understand the unique challenges Chicago’s harsh winters present to residential plumbing systems.

By practicing prevention, you can avoid unexpected and expensive leak repair bills this Winter. Don’t wait until temperatures drop – prepare your plumbing system now to protect your home from Chicago’s unforgiving winter weather.