The September Home Reset: 5 Things Chicago Homeowners Should Do Before Cold Weather Arrives
CHICAGO— September can still feel like summer, but Chicago homeowners do not have as much time before freezing weather as it seems.
According to the National Weather Service, Chicago's normal first autumn temperature of 32 degrees or lower occurs around October 19 at O'Hare, and the earliest recorded first freeze arrived as early as September 22.
That makes September a good month to handle the maintenance jobs that are much easier to address before the furnace is running every day, leaves clog drainage systems and overnight temperatures fall below freezing.
Here are five things Chicago homeowners should put on the list now.
1. Test the Heating System Before You Actually Need It
Do not wait for the first 35-degree night to discover the furnace is not working properly.
Peoples Gas recommends having furnaces inspected by a qualified technician before winter and checking or replacing dirty furnace filters. Its energy-efficiency guidance notes that annual HVAC tuneups can improve efficiency and help identify unsafe conditions before the heating season is underway.
While you are checking the heating system:
Replace or clean the furnace filter
Make sure vents and returns are unobstructed
Keep storage away from furnaces and water heaters
Check exterior furnace and water-heater vents for debris
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Illinois homes with fuel-burning equipment also need functioning carbon monoxide protection. Peoples Gas specifically recommends testing CO alarms before the heating season.
For Chicago homeowners with older boilers or furnaces, September is also a much better time to schedule service than waiting for the first major cold snap when HVAC companies may be dealing with emergency calls.
2. Find the Drafts Before You Start Paying to Heat Them
A small gap around a window or exterior door may not be noticeable on a warm September afternoon.
It becomes much more obvious in January.
Before cold weather arrives, walk through the home and check:
Exterior doors
Window frames
Basement windows
Attic access points
Areas around exterior penetrations
Simple measures such as weatherstripping doors and sealing gaps around windows can reduce drafts and make the heating system work more efficiently. Peoples Gas includes caulking, air sealing and weatherstripping among its recommended winter energy-saving measures.
This is particularly worthwhile in Chicago's large stock of vintage condos, brick two-flats, three-flats and older single-family homes, where original windows, doors and additions can create more opportunities for air leakage.
The goal is not necessarily a major renovation.
It is finding the small problems now that become expensive annoyances once the temperature drops.
3. Protect Pipes and Outdoor Water Before the First Freeze
Frozen plumbing can turn a cold night into a major repair.
September is a good time to identify plumbing that may be vulnerable, especially in:
Unheated basements
Crawl spaces
Garages
Exterior walls
Enclosed porches
Areas near outdoor hose connections
Disconnect garden hoses before freezing weather, identify where outdoor water can be shut off when applicable, and know the location of your home's main water shutoff before an emergency happens.
Chicago's cold-weather guidance recommends shutting off the main water supply if a pipe freezes to minimize potential damage and specifically warns homeowners never to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame or torch.
For condo owners, responsibility may be more complicated because some plumbing belongs to the individual unit while other pipes may be common elements. If you are unsure, review your association documents or ask property management before a problem occurs.
4. Clear Gutters and Make Sure Water Has Somewhere to Go
Fall maintenance is not only about snow.
Water management matters too.
Leaves and debris can block gutters, roof drains and downspouts. Once temperatures begin cycling above and below freezing, trapped water can create icing and additional strain on drainage systems.
Check:
Gutters and downspouts
Flat-roof drains
Window wells
Basement drains
Areas where water collects near the foundation
If your downspouts discharge onto the property, make sure water is directed to an appropriate location rather than toward the foundation, neighboring property or an area where it can freeze across a walkway.
The City of Chicago has long encouraged appropriate downspout management because large amounts of stormwater entering the sewer system can contribute to basement backups and combined sewer overflows. The city also cautions homeowners to consider winter icing when directing water onto landscaped areas.
September is a good time for an initial inspection, but homes surrounded by mature trees may need another gutter cleaning after most leaves have fallen.
5. Walk the Exterior Before Chicago’s Freeze-Thaw Cycle Begins
Do one slow lap around the property before winter.
Look for problems that may be easy to repair now but harder to address once snow and ice arrive:
Loose roof materials
Damaged flashing
Cracked or missing exterior caulk
Deteriorated masonry or mortar
Loose railings
Cracked steps
Poorly draining areas
Damaged weather seals around doors
Tree limbs hanging over the roof or utility lines
Chicago winters repeatedly push building materials through freezing and thawing conditions, so existing cracks and water-infiltration points are worth addressing before moisture has a chance to freeze inside them.
This is also the time to put away or secure outdoor furniture, inspect snow shovels and ice-melt supplies, and make sure exterior lighting works before shorter days arrive.
If you live in a condo, many exterior responsibilities may belong to the association rather than the individual owner. That does not mean they should be ignored. Report visible roof, masonry, balcony, drainage or common-area issues to the board or management company before winter.
September Is About Preventing the January Emergency
None of these projects is especially exciting.
That is exactly why they are easy to postpone.
But a furnace inspection in September is easier than a no-heat call during a cold spell. Finding a shutoff valve now is easier than searching for it after a pipe bursts. Clearing drainage before temperatures fall is easier than dealing with ice and water damage later.
Chicago's first freeze normally arrives around mid-to-late October, so September gives homeowners a useful window to find problems while there is still time to fix them.
For homeowners planning to sell next spring, there is another benefit: addressing small maintenance items this fall can reduce the number of repairs that accumulate before the property eventually reaches the market.
The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier works with Chicago homeowners before, during and after a move, helping clients understand not only market conditions but also the property and building considerations that can affect future resale.
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