Winter-Proof Your Rental Property: Essential Cold Weather Maintenance Tips
As the temperature drops, it’s crucial for property managers to carry out seasonal maintenance so their properties can withstand the cold weather. Winter can vary across the United States and around the world, but each property manager should have their own winter maintenance checklist to ensure they are ready for the season.
In the United States, each state has an average of 800,000 households that rent their homes. So, it is vital for property managers to tackle winter maintenance before the temperatures drop.
To help you protect your investment and provide a comfortable living environment for your residents, we’ve compiled a list of essential cold-weather maintenance tips to help you winter-proof your property.
How To Winter-Proof Your Rental Property: 7 Winter Maintenance Tasks
Managing properties during winter can be challenging for property managers worldwide. But, with proper preparation and careful attention, you can navigate the season without major expenses or unexpected issues. Our handy tips outline essential winter maintenance tasks that will help you effectively safeguard your rental property against the winter weather.
Even if you’re not in a region that receives a great deal of snow, these tips can prove useful during very cold temperatures.
1. Inspect the Foundations, Doorways, and Windows
One of the first things you should do to winter-proof your property is to carry out an exterior inspection. You can inspect the foundation, doorways, and windows. You'll want to ensure they're well-maintained and fully protected against the cold weather.
You can start by conducting a thorough inspection of the property's foundation. Look for cracks, gaps, or signs of water damage, as these can worsen during freezing temperatures. Even a small crack can allow it to seep in, leading to potential foundation issues. If you notice any concerns, hiring a professional to assess and repair the foundation promptly may benefit you in the long run.
It's also important to inspect the rental units' exterior doors to ensure they're in good condition and properly sealed. Suppose you see any gaps between the door and the frame. In that case, it's an indicator that cool air can enter the building and impact the energy efficiency of your unit.
Windows pose a similar problem. Any cracked or broken glass, loose frames, or damaged seals can result in cooler temperatures indoors and a higher energy bill.
A great way to streamline this inspection process is to use an application called RentCheck. This application enables residents to perform inspections of their units without the need for you to knock on their doors.
2. Prune Trees And Trim Shrubs
Another step to prepare your property for winter is to prune trees and shrubs around the building or buildings. Not only does this improve the look of the property, but it also prevents potential hazards and damage caused by winter storms.
If you also inspect the trees around your property, you can minimize the risk of them falling during high winds or heavy snowfall. Additionally, trimming branches that are too close to the property can help prevent damage to the roof or siding from scraping branches.
3. Clean Gutters And Check The Roof
Next, take the time to keep the gutters clean and inspect the roof. These are crucial maintenance tasks to perform before and during winter. Clearing the gutters of debris, leaves, and other obstructions is essential to ensure proper water flow.
Otherwise, you might end up with water backup, causing roof damage. Consider using gutter guards to minimize clogging.
When inspecting the roof, check for signs of damage, such as loose or missing shingles, cracked flashing, or deteriorated sealant. Addressing these issues before winter can prevent leaks and water damage during heavy rain or snowfall.
If you notice any significant concerns or are unsure about the roof's condition, calling in an expert is crucial. A professional roofing contractor will do a thorough inspection and necessary repairs.
4. Insulate Pipes
Insulating exposed pipes is another great winter-weather tip for property managers. It can benefit pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. It is vital to prevent them from freezing and potentially bursting.
Insulation sleeves or heating tape are great options for some added protection. You can also educate residents about the importance of keeping the heat on and allowing faucets to drip slightly during freezing weather.
5. Check and Service Fireplaces
If your property has fireplaces, you’ll also want to ensure they’re in proper working condition before residents use them during winter. You can clean the chimney and inspect the flue to prevent blockages and potential fire hazards.
Consider scheduling professional chimney inspections and cleanings for residents to have the warmth of a fireplace. This could also be carried out throughout winter to prevent new issues from growing.
6. Check on Outdoor Equipment
An often-overlooked step in rental property maintenance is inspecting and servicing outdoor equipment that will be used during the winter season. You’ll want to make sure that everything is in working order and that residents have access to the necessary tools for snow and ice removal.
This includes snow blowers, shovels, and ice melt spreaders, which are all crucial in ensuring that residents can safely remove snow and ice from the property. To ensure that the equipment is in good working condition, it's important to perform regular checks and maintenance work. This way, residents can easily access the tools they need to keep the property safe and functional during the winter months.
7. Snow and Ice Removal
Regular snow and ice removal is a critical part of winter maintenance. You will want to arrange snow removal services or provide residents with the necessary tools and instructions to clear snow and ice promptly.
Another tip is to ensure that residents know which areas of their property to keep snow-free, like parking spots, porches, balconies, and more, well ahead of time. That way, they won’t be surprised when some of the winter maintenance tasks fall on their shoulders.
Cold Weather Maintenance Starts With A Fantastic Inspection
To winter-proof your rental property and ensure that all your residents are comfortable and safe, you’ll need to conduct thorough inspections of all your properties.
This includes looking at the foundations, doorways, windows, trees, gutters, roofs, and more to identify and address potential issues. Doing so can prevent small issues from turning into major, expensive problems.
To make the inspection process easier and more efficient, consider using RentCheck. With RentCheck, you can simplify apartment inspections and even allow residents to perform inspections without your physical presence.
Sign up for RentCheck today and stay ahead of winter maintenance to protect your investment and keep your residents content.
