Harsh temperatures and extreme weather can damage your buildings in winter, so it’s crucial that you take steps to winterize your rental properties well before winter hits. When you prepare your rentals for winter, you’ll spend less time and money on repairs that could have been prevented.
Here’s a list of the most important preparations to make before winter.
1. Hire a property manager
If you feel overwhelmed by all your responsibilities, consider hiring a property management company. They’ll handle everything for you and ensure no task gets lost. For instance, Fort Worth property managers from Green Residential schedule all routine maintenance for their clients’ properties along with any necessary repairs. They make sure the properties they manage are ready for winter.
2. Winterize your pipes
When temperatures get below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s a good chance your pipes will freeze and then crack when they thaw. If you can, use foam pipe insulation tubes to insulate exterior plumbing in unheated areas, like out buildings. It’s really cheap and just slides over the pipe.
If the temperature is going to drop below zero, consider draining the pipes completely to prevent them from freezing. This might be too much to ask your tenant to do, so you’ll need to do it yourself or send someone out when you know the temperature is going to drop.
3. Get a full roof inspection
During winter, you need to pay close attention to your roof because if there’s any damage that allows water inside, it could turn into a major problem. Leaks can go on for a long time before being noticed, and by that time, the damage will already be done.
Getting a professional roof inspection will give you a heads up about potential leaks you can’t see and problems that will only get bigger if you don’t take care of them. If you have a leak, but you can’t find the source, an inspection can help you locate the leak and get it fixed fast.
It’s also a good idea to get all broken or worn shingles replaced because if you experience a storm, loose shingles can be ripped off the roof. Gutters should be cleaned to prevent snow and ice dams, and brick chimneys should be in good repair.
4. Talk to your tenants about heating
Sometimes people go on vacation or live in a second home during the winter to escape the cold. Talk to your tenants about leaving the heat on while they’re away so the whole house, including the pipes, stays warm. This is the only way to help prevent the pipes from bursting after a freeze. The heat doesn’t need to be above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and if you install a smart thermostat, you’ll be able to control it remotely.
5. Take down danger trees
When the wind starts to pick up, dead trees are more likely to fall, and that can be quite dangerous. If there are any “danger trees” on your property, take care of them before winter hits. Also remove any dead branches you can spot to prevent them from falling on any building, person, or pet.
6. Be prepared to call someone for snow removal
If snow removal isn’t your tenant’s responsibility, have someone in mind to call if you need to remove snow from your tenant’s property. Don’t wait until you need the service to find someone.
7. Get your HVAC system inspected
If you have a central HVAC system, get your yearly inspection to ensure it’s working properly. If the filters are dirty, replace them so dirty air doesn’t get pushed through the house. Clean filters will also ensure your system doesn’t get overworked.
8. Get all chimneys cleaned
Even though your tenants should be cleaning the chimney, don’t count on them to get it done. Whether you have a fireplace or a wood burning stove, schedule a professional cleaning unless your tenant has already taken care of this task.
Even if your tenant cleaned the chimney themselves, you should still hire a professional to perform an inspection to look for signs of damage and possible obstruction.
Winter will come faster than you think
These are the most important tasks to take care of before heading into winter, so don’t wait. Start preparing your rental properties for winter as soon as possible because before you know it, winter will be here.
