Rental Property Maintenance Tips for Winter – Propertyware

6 Fast Home Winterization Tips

Tim Blackwell — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:15:16 +0000

Frigid, blustery weather that has already put parts of the country in a deep freeze is a reminder that the time is now for home winterization. When the mercury drops below 32 degrees, pipes can freeze and eventually burst, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IIBHS) estimates that a frozen pipe that ruptures can cause more than $5,000 in water damage. An arctic blast earlier this year was especially costly for many in the U.S. Ed Wolff, President of Leasing Desk Insurance, says property owners and third party managers can help minimize the potential for damage from frozen pipes by taking some tried and true precautions when winter weather threatens. “As we enter the cold weather, it’s important to understand what we can do to protect not only residents and their belongings but also the dwelling,” Wolff says. “In January, we were challenged by an arctic blast that impacted many people. Hopefully, we’ve learned from that.” Below are tips from the IIBHS and other sources to help minimize disasters when cold weather extends its icy grip:

Caulk and weather-strip windows, doors and cracks

The best way to keep cold air out is to caulk and weather-strip where air can penetrate. Doors and windows are a good place to start, but also seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations, especially near water pipes.

Shut off and cover outdoor water faucets, let faucets drip indoors

Freeze prevention inside the home is just as important as outside. Let faucets in kitchens, bathrooms and wet bars drip with lukewarm water. Outside, shut off and cover water faucets. Unhook and drain hoses as well.

Wrap exposed outdoor pipes in insulated sleeves

Pipe insulation, which can cost as little as 50 cents per linear foot, is an inexpensive way to help keep water in pipes from freezing. Wrap exposed outdoor pipes, as well as those in areas of the home that are not usually heated.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow heat to radiate around pipes

Open cabinet doors that house plumbing for sinks, especially on outside walls. With the doors open, heat will circulate inside and reduce the likelihood of a freeze.

Set thermostats in vacant homes at a minimum of 55 degrees

When the home is left unattended for long periods of time, like resident vacations, make sure that the heat remains on at a minimum of 55 degrees.

Add insulation to the home

Insulate all attic penetrations such as partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, electric and mechanical chases, and access doors that are not properly sealed. Also, recessed light fixtures in the ceiling below the open area that is directly under a roof, such as attic space, should be insulated to prevent the release of heat into the attic.

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The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Properties

pwadmin — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:54:34 +0000

In rental property maintenance, you can’t wait until it’s too late! “By being proactive, you’ll lower energy bills, increase the efficiency and lifespan of (the) home’s components, and make your property safer.” Bob Vila Whether or not you’re a fan of cold weather, one thing is inevitable: winter is coming. As if frosted windshields, numb hands, wet socks, turtlenecks and increased budgeting for tissues weren’t enough reasons to dislike winter, there’s also the added worry of having to winterize your properties so they’ll make it through the treacherously cold winter season. If you’re worried about all the stress that comes along with winterizing your property, rest assured. There are several easy and cost-efficient steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your properties through the winter.

What is Winterizing Exactly?

If you’re a property manager, homeowner, landlord, or anyone who’s had to maintain the upkeep of a piece of real estate, you know the winter season can bring unexpected problems if the proper precautions haven’t been taken care of ahead of time. Whether it’s a frozen pipe bursting, a heater fire, or a mouse infestation, taking the proper steps of preventative action can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. This is where winterizing really comes in handy. Winterizing is defined as “making something able to resist the effects of winter weather.” The idea is to “winter-proof” your properties before the cold weather arrives and messes something up. Thinking ahead is key in winterizing and it will really make your life easier come December. So what steps can you take to winterize your properties?

Winterization Steps

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IIBHS) has some suggestions, listed below, for winterizing your properties both inside and out, which can ultimately help save a ton of money and unnecessary headaches in the future.

Stay Safe

When winter is coming, your first maintenance priority is to make sure that your properties are safe. Repair stairs and walkways before winter comes to reduce tripping hazards or consider renovating the walkway if it’s too cracked for comfort. According to This Old House, “when crossing your muddy yard to fetch the daily paper turns into an obstacle course of slips and slides, perhaps it’s time to think about an alternative path.” Look at your landscape lighting to ensure that those walkways have strong light for long winter nights. Inform your tenants and place winter property maintenance information on your tenant portal. Let tenants know who is responsible for clearing walkways and driveways.

Tips for Pipes and Water Heaters

A frozen pipe might seem innocuous, but when it explodes it can turn the walls and floors into a soggy mess. In order to prevent things like pipes from freezing or bursting, here are a few simple precautions you can take: • Shut off and cover outdoor water faucets • Caulk cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes • Allow indoor faucets to drip lukewarm water on extremely cold days • Wrap exposed outdoor pipes in insulated sleeves • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow heat to radiate around pipes • Drain water systems in unused areas If a property is going to be vacant over the winter, flush and drain toilets and pipes. Blow air into the pipes to clear them, and add nontoxic antifreeze. It may seem like you’re putting in a lot of work, but in the end, it will pay off if it’s a harsh winter. Following these steps can help your pipes stay warmer and will prevent them from freezing or bursting. The last thing you would want is a property either without water or submerged in water, not to mention the added worry and cost of having to replace a busted pipe.

Are You Ready for Winter? Property Management Software Can Help

If you’re weeping icy tears at the thought of winter coming, you don’t need to be overwhelmed. With property management software, you can manage your work orders and coordinate onsite property inspections with ease. Get your winter maintenance under control with Propertyware. Click here to take a free online tour of Propertyware today.

Tips for Heat and Energy Savings

Check the furnaces in your properties. Be sure they are safe and operational. Furnace filters should be changed regularly. Remove any items stored near the furnace and be sure air ducts and return vents are not obstructed. Make fireplaces safe for cozy fires during the winter. Fireplaces should be swept to remove soot and debris. Be sure a metal screen or fireplace doors are used to prevent embers from drifting out of the firebox.

Stop Drafts

Prevent the icy winds from blowing through your properties and help your tenants save energy. As winter approaches, it’s time to convert to storm windows and doors rather than summer screens. Look for cracks, test for drafts and add caulking and weatherstripping to problem areas so cold air does not seep in. Add insulation to your properties in the attic and insulate electrical covers so that your homes don’t leak warm air. Here are some tips to help you become more efficient and safe when heating your properties: • Caulk and weather-strip windows and doors • Set thermostats in vacant units to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit • Remind tenants to never use an oven to heat a home • Turn off portable heaters when leaving a room or going to bed Utilizing these tips can save money on the amount of heat used during cold winter months. By keeping cold air out, heating systems can operate more effectively and efficiently. These tips also help with reducing the likelihood of an unnecessary fire, which can literally be a life-saver.

Tips for Rodent-Proofing

For dealing with keeping rodents such as mice and rats out of your house during the cold season, the following tips can be helpful: • Sealing any openings that mice or rats could fit into • Making sure all food is sealed and stored away • Regularly take the trash out and ensure that cans are sealed • Make sure your properties are kept clean and organized Many of these tips might be redundant or things you already do, but really emphasizing these tips right before and throughout the winter will ensure you don’t have any uninvited guests showing up during the holiday season—and I’m referring to mice, not your in-laws. Now that we know plenty of good tips on winterizing the inside of properties, how can you winterize the outside?

Tips for Heavy Snowfall

IIBHS also created some tips for outdoor winterization safety, particularly about how to prepare for heavy snowfall. Heavy snowfall cannot only damage your roof, but it can cause serious risk or injury to residents. Tips for avoiding snow buildup and recommended best practices and tools are: • Use de-icing materials, snow rakes, and draglines to remove snow from rooftops • Before stepping on a roof, identify hazardous fall spots like skylights, roof drains, and vents • Before removing snow, assess the weight of the snow, uniformly remove it and avoid making big piles • Wear warm safety and protection equipment and clothing and stay hydrated while working • Wear a safety harness and use ropes or winches to lift snow removal equipment like snow blowers and other heavy tools Utilizing these tips ahead of time can save you from problems like frozen pipes, mice infestations, fires, icy sidewalks, and injuries. Be sure to take the necessary steps needed to winterize your properties and stop winter before it starts.

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11 Ways to Get Your Rental Properties Ready for Winter

Leah Mendes — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 22:54:48 +0000

Since extreme winter temperatures and winds can take a major toll on buildings in cold weather regions, it is important that property managers take the necessary steps to winterize rental properties before the first snowfall of the season. Doing this will ensure that you will have to spend less time and money on plumbing, roofing, and other repairs come spring. If you need a little help getting started, have a look at our list of the top things to do to get your rental properties ready for winter.

1. Leave the Heat On

Remind your tenants to maintain a minimum temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit when they go on vacation. This will prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting due to the cold temperatures.

2. Inspect Your HVAC Systems

Inspect the heating and air-conditioning systems in your units to make sure they are running efficiently. Arrange for the filters to be replaced if necessary.

3. Watch Your Pipes

Completely drain out the outdoor pipes and sprinkler/fountain systems to ensure they don’t freeze in sub-zero temperatures. As an added precaution, winterize exterior plumbing and pipes in unheated parts of the property or common areas such as clubhouses by covering them with inexpensive foam pipe insulation.

4. Look for Cracks

It’s important to inspect the edges of doors and windows and the exterior walls of your properties for gaps or cracks through which heat loss can occur. Replace caulking or sealant as needed.

5. Inspect the Roof

Check the roof and chimney for broken or cracked shingles that can come loose during a storm. Since blocked gutters can cause snow dams and ceiling leaks on warmer days, make sure that the gutters and downspouts are completely clear and free of dirt and debris. You can also hire a qualified roofing contractor to perform a complete check of the roofing and do necessary repairs.

6. Prepare for Snow and Ice Removal

If you have contracted snow and ice removal to a vendor, confirm that your contract is current and valid. Now is also the time to call and shop around for rates if you were unsatisfied with their performance last year. If you have your own personnel to handle snow removal, make sure you have all essential supplies such as salts, shovels and properly functioning snow blowers on hand. Don’t wait until bad weather comes knocking to take action!

7. Prevent Falling Branches

Check for any weak tree branches (or trees!) that can fall due to high winds or snow accumulation and cause property damage, or worse, injure your tenants.

8. Clean Your Chimneys

If your property has wood-burning fireplaces, hire a professional chimney sweep to clean them and inspect them for any sign of damage or obstruction.

9. Test Alarms and Detectors

If maintenance of the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the property is your responsibility as per the lease agreement, now would be a good time to test the devices and replace the batteries.

10. Check Vacant Properties

Conduct periodic inspections of vacant properties throughout the winter. If you are responsible for taking care of a vacation home that will be empty for the season, you may want to completely turn off the water supply, drain the pipes and toilets, and put non-toxic antifreeze in the toilet bowls.

11. Don’t Forget Your Rental Office

Remember to make sure that your on-site rental office and common areas such as clubhouses are also equipped to deal with the winter weather. Of course, this is only a basic list of things that you need to do to get your rental properties ready for winter. Depending on the age, location and condition of the properties under your care, there may be other steps you need to take to prepare for the coming cold weather. Write in and share your tips through the Comments section below! Kurt Jacobson is a snowboarding enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 11 times in the past nine years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding the mountain, he writes about all things rental related for the website RentFinder.co and serves as a thought leader in the real estate industry.

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Winter Already? Rental Property Furnace Maintenance Tips

Marc Eiting — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 16:01:33 +0000

Ongoing furnace maintenance can help you prevent large-scale problems with your properties’ heating systems. Here’s what to look for as you work to maintain your furnaces this year!

Know Your Rental Property Furnaces

When you add a new rental property to your roster, get to know the ins and outs of all of its features, including its heating system. This will help you determine what repairs and maintenance are required and who should do them. While natural gas furnaces are relatively easy for non-specialists to maintain, oil furnace or heat pump maintenance may require a vendor who specializes in these heating systems. Facts About House Fires from the NFPA: The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (30%) was a failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys. Nearly half (49%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January, and February.

What Can You Maintain Yourself?

If you have a maintenance worker who is a generalist rather than a specialist, what sorts of furnace maintenance issues can that person manage?

Check the furnace filter monthly during the cold season. According to the DIY Network, “a dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your furnace, increase heating costs and reduce the life of your equipment.” Wash and rinse permanent filters every month. Ensure that your filter area has a cover as well.

Reset the dampers. This should be done seasonally during the transition from air conditioning to furnace heat.

Oil bearings around the motor and blower shaft. Do this annually to keep older furnaces in good repair.

Check the burner of the flame shield for corrosion.

Check belts on belt-driven blowers to look for damage such as fraying.

Keep your heating efficient. Seal leaky air ducts with metal tape.

Look at the heating vents and ensure that they are uncovered to encourage optimal air movement.

Always turn off the fuel and electricity before doing maintenance on a furnace.

Look for Ongoing Problems That Require a Professional

While some furnace check ups can be done by maintenance staff who are not focused on furnace maintenance, other problems are more suited to a professional. For example, if the furnace turns off and on in a short cycle, has an irregular flame, develops soot deposits, or has chronic problems, it’s time to bring in a professional to get to the root of the problem.

Document and Track Furnace Maintenance

Documenting and tracking your maintenance is critical to ensure that all of your properties receive good service and that their heating systems remain in good repair. As This Old House says, annual furnace maintenance is critical for safety as well:

“Without this yearly cleaning and inspection, a system can wear itself out quickly, pump deadly carbon monoxide into your home, or simply stop working.”

Conduct regular inspections on an annual schedule and whenever a property is vacant. Ask your maintenance staff to conduct monthly and seasonal tasks as well. Many furnaces are woefully under-maintained. By keeping yours in good condition, you’ll prevent many problems down the road.

Ready for Stress-Free Property Management Software?

Do you need help managing your rental property management? Property software can help you keep all of your maintenance under control. From furnaces to lawn care, Propertyware’s software products can help you create maintenance and inspection schedules that will keep your properties on track. Get pricing today. Source: NFPA’s “Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment” report by Richard Campbell, April 2016.

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Property Owners: Recommendations for Winter-Proofing Homes from Pests

Michael Cunningham — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 16:29:03 +0000

Just like we do, pests seek warmth and shelter when the temperatures turn cold. The winter months are some of the most active for household pests like rats and mice to invade homes. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), more than 21 million rodents invade U.S. homes, skittering inside through any opening they can find. The temptation of warmth and a good meal lead most pests directly to the kitchen, but others will travel anywhere simply to avoid the cold. Cracks, crevices, openings around electrical and plumbing fixtures are among the most targeted entry points. Earlier this year, NPMA recommended that homeowners winter-proof residences and other structures to keep pests out. And now that Punxsutawney Phil declared six more weeks of winter at the beginning of February, rats and mice will not doubt be on the quest to find warm, cozy places to nest. The best way for property owners to send rodents and other pests scurrying on down the road is preventing them from entering the home in the first place, says Missy Henriksen, the NPMA’s vice president of public affairs. “As it comes to winter time, pests are trying to get in for warmth, food and water,” Henriksen said. “The winter months are those that we are often most concerned about. (Pests) are just as tempted as we are to get in out of the cold, so it’s important we try and remove those entry points.” Henriksen said that property owners should educate residents about what attracts rodents and pests in general and how they can enter a structure. Here are a few recommendations from the NPMA, as well as other useful tips, to help keep pests out of the house during the winter months and other seasons:

Keep Popular Destinations Well-Ventilated and Clutter-Free

Henriksen said 29 percent of Americans experience a problem in residences. About 50 percent of the invasions take place through the kitchen − living rooms and bedrooms are also popular destination spots for these little travelers – and colder temperatures outside are persuasive enough to lure them to come inside. Rodents like to access homes through basements, attics, roofs and foundations, as well as bathrooms where water is in supply. Eliminate moisture from leaky pipes and drains to ensure that if pests do get in, they won’t have ideal conditions in which they can thrive. NPMA says these areas should be kept well ventilated, dry, and clutter-free.

Put Food in its Place – Away

Pests are attracted to food, water and shelter. Removing sources of food and water, including pet bowls, will help deter pests. Residents should be encouraged to keep food in sealed containers and clean up after each meal to avoid leaving crumbs behind (both on surfaces or floors around eating areas)

Perform Routine Checks for Openings in the Structure

Pests enter structures through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, along foundations, ripped screens, uncapped chimneys, and also through holes where utilities enter homes. Pests can also catch a ride into the home in firewood, groceries and other deliveries. Mice fit through holes the size of a dime, and rats can squeeze through quarter-sized openings. Seal any openings with silicone caulk or steel wool and make routine checks around the home to look for new openings. If you do find a new opening, then seal it immediately. “It’s important that property owners are taking a look at the building structures, making sure that all cracks and crevices are sealed, especially around windows and along foundations,” Henriksen said. “(Rodents) are easier to manage and control if they are kept out than once they get inside.”

Keep the Grounds Tidy

While a rodent-proofed structure certainly is a great line of defense for keeping invaders out, eliminating the attraction to come onto the grounds in the first place is good policy. Rats, mice and other pests live under wood piles or lumber that is not being used, under cluttered landscape and rocks, in cars, in and around trash and garbage areas and in holes under buildings. Eliminating these sources will keep them away, as will installing flashing around the structure to prevent rodents from climbing into upper floors. Henriksen encourages property managers to contact a licensed pest professional who is trained in biology in rodents if problems persist. But just taking initial precautions toward preventing an infestation will go a long way. “The best line of defense is keeping them out in the first place,” she said (Image Source: Shutterstock)

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