What North Shore, Northwest Suburb & Lake County Homeowners Need to Do Right Now
When temperatures drop fast and stay there, burst pipes aren’t a possibility — they’re an expectation.
Right now, across the North Shore, Northwest Suburbs, and Lake County, we’re seeing a sharp rise in emergency calls for frozen and burst pipes. Homes in Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Gurnee, Vernon Hills, and surrounding communities are being affected — many with severe water damage that started silently.
This guide is designed to be practical, calm, and useful — not alarmist. Whether your pipes have already burst or you’re trying to prevent it from happening tonight, this is the step-by-step checklist homeowners actually need during a cold-weather event like this one.
Why Pipes Are Bursting Across Chicagoland Right Now
Most homeowners think pipes burst because of freezing. That’s only half the story.
Pipes usually burst because water expands inside a sealed section of pipe, creating pressure that has nowhere to go. When the pressure exceeds what the pipe can handle, it splits — often behind walls, above ceilings, or inside cabinets, where damage spreads before anyone notices.
We see the highest failure rates in:
Exterior-facing walls
Basements and crawlspaces
Attics and knee walls
Garages
Under kitchen and bathroom sinks
Older copper or galvanized piping
Homes with recent remodeling where insulation was disturbed
Many North Shore and Lake County homes are beautiful — and older. That charm often comes with plumbing layouts that weren’t designed for today’s temperature swings.
First Things First: If a Pipe Has Already Burst
If water is actively leaking or flooding:
Immediate Action Checklist
Shut off the main water supply
Turn off the electricity in affected areas if water is near outlets
Open faucets to relieve remaining pressure
Move valuables and furniture out of wet areas
Do not use shop vacs or household fans for significant water loss
Call a professional water damage restoration company immediately
Waiting “to see if it dries” is one of the most expensive mistakes homeowners make. Water spreads fast — and hidden moisture causes mold, warping, and structural damage long after surfaces look dry.
The Hidden Damage Homeowners Miss After a Pipe Burst
One of the biggest problems with burst pipes isn’t the initial leak — it’s what happens after.
Water travels:
Behind baseboards
Under flooring
Inside wall cavities
Along joists and framing
Into insulation
By the time staining appears, moisture has often been present for days, not hours.
Professional drying involves:
This isn’t about making things “look dry.” It’s about making them actually dry.
What To Do If Pipes Are Frozen But Haven’t Burst (Yet)
If you suspect frozen pipes but don’t see water:
Prevention Checklist (During the Cold Event)
Keep faucets dripping, especially overnight
Open cabinet doors under sinks
Increase indoor temperature slightly
Use safe space heaters in vulnerable areas (never unattended)
Shut garage doors and seal drafts
Avoid turning the water off unless leaving the home
If a pipe is frozen:
Do not use open flames
Do not overload outlets with heaters
Apply gentle heat (warm air, heating pads, towels soaked in warm water)
If you’re unsure, it’s better to call for guidance than risk a rupture.
Why Professional Drying Matters (Especially in Cold Weather)
Winter pipe bursts are different from summer water losses.
Cold weather means:
Slower evaporation
Higher risk of condensation
Increased chance of secondary freezing
More damage inside the walls
Professional equipment is designed to:
Dry without causing cracks or warping
Prevent microbial growth
Protect structural materials
Document conditions properly
This documentation matters — whether for your own records or future repairs.
Why Experience Matters During a Pipe Burst Emergency
Not all water damage is the same — and not all responses are equal.
Cold-weather pipe bursts behave differently from summer leaks, appliance failures, or storm flooding. Knowing how water moves in winter conditions, how materials react to rapid temperature changes, and when moisture becomes a long-term problem comes from experience — not guesswork.
Our team responds to these events using industry standards developed by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), and our leadership holds the Master Fire & Water Restorer designation, the highest certification available in the restoration industry.
That experience is also what led us to co-author the homeowner's guide:
RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset
The book was written specifically to help homeowners understand what to do before, during, and after disasters like burst pipes — so decisions are made calmly, not under pressure.
When you’re dealing with an active water emergency, having professionals who’ve seen thousands of losses — and documented the right way to respond — makes a measurable difference in outcomes.
Why North Shore & Lake County Homes Are Especially Vulnerable
Homes in areas like Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Northbrook often share similar risk factors:
Northwest suburbs like Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and Vernon Hills are seeing high call volumes due to rapid temperature drops combined with wind exposure.
This isn’t about negligence — it’s about physics and weather.
How Professional Restoration Helps Minimize Long-Term Damage
A proper response includes:
The goal is simple: stop the damage from getting worse and stabilize the home so repairs are straightforward — not a long-term headache.
About the Author & Local Expertise
This guide is based on real-world experience responding to burst pipes and winter water damage across the North Shore, Northwest Suburbs, Lake County, and greater Chicagoland area.
CEO Nasutsa Mabwa and Sam Simon, an IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer, the highest professional designation in the restoration industry, lead ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. Our team has served Chicagoland communities for over 40 years locally, backed by ServiceMaster’s national legacy founded in Chicago in 1929 — the oldest restoration brand in the United States.
Sam Simon is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset,
a practical homeowner-focused guide that explains how disasters like burst pipes, flooding, fire damage, and hidden moisture affect homes — and how to protect both property and long-term value.
Our leadership and company have been recognized for excellence, integrity, and community impact, including:
Women Presidents Organization (WPO) – Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Award (CEO Nasutsa Mabwa)
2025 Inc. 5000 Honoree
2024 Chicago Star Award
2021 SB100 Best of Small Business Award
2020 BBB Torch Award for Ethics
Stevie® Award for Business Excellence
Skokie Business of the Year (Honorable Mention)
These recognitions reflect a long-standing commitment to professionalism, ethical service, and doing things the right way — especially during stressful events like widespread pipe bursts.
If You’re Dealing With a Burst Pipe Right Now
If you’re seeing water, staining, sagging ceilings, or unexplained moisture — don’t wait.
Early action can mean the difference between:
Help is available 24/7, especially during events like this when conditions are changing fast.
Call us at (847) 316-9145 or click here to contact us.
Areas We’re Currently Responding In
Skokie • Evanston • Wilmette • Glenview • Northbrook • Deerfield • Highland Park • Lake Forest • Lake Bluff • Libertyville • Gurnee • Vernon Hills • Arlington Heights • Mount Prospect • Palatine • Buffalo Grove • Wheeling • and surrounding communities
