During a cold snap, the last thing you want to think about is your water pipes. We’ve worked with Chicagoland homeowners for over 100 years, and the truth is that frozen pipe issues are more common than you think.
Illinois has ranked among the top five most-expensive states in the country for frozen pipe insurance claims in two separate reporting periods in the last few years, and it’s a big reason why a maintenance plan is so important.
We’re going to walk you through why Chicago area winters are harder on your house than most, and how Flader’s 5-Star Maintenance Plan protects your home.
Chicago’s Freeze-Thaw Cycles are a Growing Risk
Illinois has ranked among the five most expensive states in the country for frozen-pipe insurance claims two years running, and the average claim is getting bigger, not smaller.
When temperatures swing back and forth, the water in your pipes expands, building pressure. Then, when temperatures warm back up, the ice thaws, the pressure shifts, and pipes sometimes fail.
Every freeze-thaw cycle can place additional stress on vulnerable pipes, especially those that are poorly insulated or already weakened by age.
According to State Farm’s claims reporting, Illinois ranked #2 nationally for total frozen pipe claim costs between August 2022 and August 2023, at $78.3 million paid out.
In the more recent January 2024 through June 2025 time frame, Illinois again ranked among the top five most costly states (the average claim nationwide climbed from around $25,000 to more than $30,000 over that stretch).
Ignoring furnace maintenance can increase the risk of frozen pipes, leading to costly water damage and plumbing repairs.
The Worry About Older Chicagoland Homes
Chicagoland’s oldest homes are more vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles than most.
If your home was built before the mid-1980s, there’s a chance some of its service line is lead since Illinois code allowed lead service lines until 1986. Homes built before about 1970 are also likely to have clay sewer tile, which shifts and cracks as it ages.
But pipe age is only part of the problem. If your furnace isn’t working reliably in the winter to keep your house warm, your pipes are more likely to feel the stress of a freeze-thaw cycle.
Why Flader’s 5 Star Maintenance Plan is the Right Move
We’ve been working with furnaces, plumbing, and cooling for decades, so our maintenance plan is designed specifically for Chicagoans and the rapidly changing weather patterns every season.
Flader’s 5-Star Maintenance Program is built around three specific guarantees: priority scheduling, no overtime or holiday fees, and scheduled tune-ups.
Here’s What Our 5-Star Maintenance Furnace Tune-Up Covers
Safety checks:
- Inspect the heat exchanger
- Check for carbon monoxide
- Inspect and adjust controls and safeties
Cracked heat exchangers let combustion gases (including carbon monoxide) leak into the air moving through your ducts. When we conduct our checks, we’re making sure that you and your family aren’t in danger while your furnace is running.
Shutdown-risk components:
- Inspect the gas line and connections
- Check for loose panels or switches
- Clean and adjust the pilot and fan speeds
Wear-and-tear items:
- Lubricate motors and bearings
- Inspect and clean burners
A failing blower motor is one of several components that can cause a furnace to stop working unexpectedly. Our goal with every tune-up is to catch these problems before they stop your unit from running.
Performance verification:
- Measure blower amperage and voltage
- Measure temperatures and system performance
- Test the thermostat
- Conduct an overall system operation check
And when we are all done, we will review our findings with you directly and recommend repairs if anything needs attention.
Protect Your Home this Winter and Every Season with a Maintenance Plan
Flader Plumbing and Heating works hard to provide you with the comfort of a well-working furnace and air conditioning unit, no matter what the weather is like outside.
If you’re in need of furnace repairs or a tune-up, schedule your appointment with Flader Plumbing and Heating today.
