Three tricky winter home repairs

Published on October 28, 2024

Power lines

Strong winds and heavy ice accumulations can knock down power lines and damage your electrical service connection. The electric company owns the service line and meter, but the homeowner is responsible for maintaining the other components, including the meter box, service mast and weatherhead.  

If there’s a downed power line in your yard, report it to Evergy immediately. Stay away from the line until technicians from the electric company can temporarily reconnect your service line and meter.  

Then, you will need to contact a licensed electrician to make the permanent repairs to your connection. The electrician is required to obtain a building permit from the City of Lenexa to make these repairs.  

Sometimes, your meter box may start to separate from the wall of your home. This needs to be repaired in a timely manner as it could start an electrical fire and be a shock hazard. If you don’t own your home and notice your meter box needs repairs, be sure to notify your landlord. 

Heating your home

Have your furnace, chimney and fireplace vents inspected and serviced by a qualified professional annually. Knowing your heating systems are in good, reliable shape to keep you cozy isn’t just reassuring. It can also prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.   

Your system may just need a good cleaning and a few minor repairs. Complete replacement of a furnace or alterations to your electrical or mechanical systems require a building permit.  

If you smell gas or are concerned about a leak, call 911 and evacuate. Once first responders have investigated, you can contact a service professional to repair any problems.

Frozen water pipes

Frozen pipes can cause extensive damage to your home. Before a hard freeze, turn off your outdoor faucets and sprinklers, drain and disconnect hoses, and insulate pipes close to exterior walls or unheated basements. When temperatures are expected to be in the single digits, keep the doors of cabinets with exposed pipes open, and slightly open a faucet farthest from the place where your water main enters the house. If you rent, ask your property manager where this is located. 

If pipes freeze, shut off the water to prevent water from gushing out later. Then slowly apply heat with a device like a hair dryer. Find instructions on how to safely thaw your pipes at WaterOne.org.

How to find a reliable professional

• Ask a friend or neighbor if they’d recommend a company who has done work for them. 
• Post on the Nextdoor neighborhoods app to see what companies others in your area have used with good results.
• Search for licensed contractors by trade at JoCoGov.org/Department/Contractor-Licensing.