As a Grand Prairie property manager, it is better to make sure your properties are prepared for winter. The cold weather can damage homes and buildings, and if your rentals aren’t ready, you could wind up with big repair bills and upset renters. In addition to you should be ready to deal with freezing temperatures and inclement weather, it’s also imperative to conduct serious maintenance on your property’s major systems. This can help prevent emergencies and help you protect the value of your investment property.
Here are 10 essential outdoor and indoor tasks that will get your rental property ready for winter!
Outdoor
- Monitor your rental property’s exterior walls, roof, and windows for any impairment or leaks that could allow moisture or cold air to infiltrate. Cementing any cracks and fixing damaged areas can help prevent water from getting inside your rental homes, which can cause costly repairs and mold growth.
- Keep in mind that outdoor pipes and fixtures are wrapped with insulation or heat tape to prevent them from freezing during winter. Frequently monitoring for frozen pipes and thawing them as needed will help avoid burst pipes and flooding in your rental properties.
- Inspect your rental property’s gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems to make sure they are clear of debris and functioning properly. Clogged gutters can lead to flooding during heavy rain and snow, while damaged drainage systems can cause water to accumulate in the foundation of your rental homes and lead to costly repairs.
- Think about installing a protective coating or sealant on your rental property’s driveway, sidewalk, and steps to help prevent cracking and damage from the cold weather. This will help ensure that these locations are safe and easy to navigate during the winter while protecting your rental property’s curb appeal.
- Cut back trees and prepare your landscaping for winter. If your property has trees, bushes, and shrubs, get them ready for winter months by pruning them back. Plus, keep in mind to winterize your sprinkler system and cover up any exposed pipes or fixtures to prevent freezing. Maintaining a winter-ready rental property means keeping your lawn and garden areas tidy.
Indoor
- Reverse the direction of all ceiling fans. Ceiling fans should spin clockwise in warm temperatures and counterclockwise in cold temps. This is because ceiling fans turning in a counterclockwise direction will help push warm air down to the floor, which can help keep your renters nice and toasty during the cold winter months.
- Schedule annual furnace maintenance by a qualified specialist to be sure that your rental property’s heating system works accurately. Regularly servicing your Grand Prairie rental home’s heating system will help decrease the risk of emergency repair demands and prolong the life of your investment property’s major systems.
- Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your rental properties to make certain they are in excellent working order, as these devices could save lives during emergencies like fires or gas leaks. Replacing or upgrading old smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can assist in maintaining your rental properties safe and secure.
- Make sure all faucets, drains, and appliances in your rental properties are functioning properly and that there are no leaks or clogs that could pose big problems during the winter months. Checking these areas often will not only save you money on costly maintenance, but it can also help prevent water damage in your rental homes.
- Examine and clean each fireplace and chimney. Dirty fireplaces and soot build-up inside chimneys are common reasons for house fires during the winter. To protect your rental property and renters, you need to guarantee that all flues and chimneys are free from buildup and in good working order.
As a rental property owner, it’s essential to take the required actions to prepare your investment properties for winter. By performing these tasks, you can help keep your renters warm and safe during the cold season while preventing costly repairs and damage.
Still, it can take a lot of work to do preventative maintenance on a schedule. This is certainly relevant during the busy holiday season. But Real Property Management MidTown has experts who can assist! Contact us online today to learn more about our quality services.
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