Old Settlers: An Olathe Tradition Since 1898Every September, downtown Olathe takes on a different personality.Carnival rides rise above the rooftops. The smell of festival food drifts across the
All Things KC - Cold Snap
Dated: January 23 2026
Views: 149
Big Freeze in Johnson County: 7 Smart Things to Do
Right Now for Older Homes
(Especially for Historic District homeowners)
We’ve got a serious winter storm and extended cold snap already here, and if you live in one of Olathe’s older homes, a little preparation tonight can save you thousands in repairs.
Older homes are full of charm — but they weren’t built with modern insulation, PEX plumbing, or polar-vortex winters in mind.
Here are 7 practical things you can still do right now.
1. Protect Your Pipes (This Is the Big One)
Frozen pipes are the #1 winter disaster in older homes.
Do this tonight:
Let faucets drip slightly (especially on exterior walls)
Open cabinet doors under sinks
Wrap exposed pipes in basements, garages, crawlspaces
Know where your main water shutoff is
Historic homes often have galvanized or copper pipes, which burst much easier than modern materials.
2. Heat Smart, Not Hard
At this point, HVAC companies are buried — so this is about using what you have wisely.
Set thermostat to a steady temp (don’t crank it up and down)
Keep interior doors open so heat circulates
Close rooms you don’t use and block off drafts
Use space heaters only where needed — safely and supervised
If you lose heat, prioritize keeping plumbing walls warm
The goal isn’t luxury — it’s preventing freezing and damage.
3. Seal Drafty Windows & Doors
Many historic homes still have original windows.
Fast fixes that work:
Rope caulk or weather stripping
Plastic window kits
Rolled towels at door bottoms
You can easily cut heat loss by 20–30% in one evening.
4. Don’t Forget the Attic & Basement
These two areas leak more heat than anywhere else.
Seal attic access doors
Close basement windows
Check crawlspace vents
Look for obvious cold air gaps
This is where most “mystery cold” comes from.
5. Protect Exterior Faucets
One frozen spigot can flood a house.
Disconnect hoses
Install foam faucet covers
If possible, shut off the interior valve
Takes 5 minutes. Saves thousands.
6. Watch for Ice Dams
Older rooflines are especially vulnerable.
Clear snow if you can do so safely
Keep gutters flowing
Watch for icicles forming along eaves
Ice dams = roof leaks + ceiling stains.
7. Prepare for Power Outages
Historic neighborhoods = mature trees = outages.
Have ready:
Flashlights
Extra blankets
Power banks
Safe space heaters
Fireplace flue checked before using
And check on neighbors — especially elderly ones.
A Local Realtor’s Honest Take
I live in an older home. I sell a lot of them.
Winter is when historic houses show their age.
Most of the major damage I see every year comes from:
Frozen pipes
Ice dams
Heat loss people didn’t realize existed
A couple hours of prep right now can prevent weeks of repairs later.
Stay warm!
Historic homes have survived 100+ winters... but they still need a little love.
Shawn Lewis
Johnson County Real Estate Consultant (Est. 2001)
Shawn Lewis
With more than twenty years in real estate, Shawn brings experience, perspective, and steady leadership to every transaction. He is known for his sound judgment, clear communication, and disciplined a....
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