Preparing Your Rental Unit for the Winter

Getting your rental unit ready for the winter months can help you save money, while keeping your tenants happy and warm throughout the coldest time of the year. 

Here are a few tips to help you get your rental unit prepared for the winter.

 

Re-Sealing Doors and Windows

Preventing drafts from coming through your windows and doors will help keep your rental unit warmer while helping cut down on heating costs. Resealing your doors is as easy as buying a weather strip which goes on the inside of your door frame, reducing drafts and preventing any blowing snow from entering your home. Re-caulking your windows and using insulating window film will help reduce heat-loss from your window areas. 

 

Shutting Off Outdoor Faucets

A pipe bursting in your home can cause extensive damage and result in unnecessary costs. This can be easily prevented by shutting off your outdoor faucets, which is done by shutting off your outdoor water-main. Typically you can find your outdoor water-main on the side of your house that your outdoor water faucet is on. Once you've shut off the outdoor water-main, go outside and turn your faucets open all the way to get any residual water out.

 

Furnace Maintenance

Preventing major problems is critical in the preparation process for the winter months, as having the heat cut out in the midst of a chilly winter is one of the worst case scenarios for a property manager. Getting an inspection and tuning done before winter is important to make sure it is running efficiently and won't suddenly quit on you at a moment's notice. You should also aim to get it cleaned every other year to make sure your furnace is running clean and efficient. 

 

Roof Inspections and Cleanings

Before the winter hits you should inspect your roof to make sure you're not missing any shingles, or on flat roofs, to clean any extra debris. When you're inspecting the roof, make sure you make note of any shingles that are starting to curl on the edges, have cracks or breaks, or any that are missing. If there is any damage to your shingles, replace them to make sure you don't have any water damage, or lose more shingles throughout a windy winter. Lastly, make sure you clean your gutters to prevent any blockages so they can continue to drain correctly throughout the winter.