Winterize your Properties

Summer is winding down, which means winter’s harsh elements are only a few months away. As a property management specialist, your clients count on you to take care of their units so tenants remain safe and happy with their living conditions. While there’s a level of unpredictability with wintery weather, there are steps you can take to help your properties stand up to Mother Nature’s wrath. Here are a few tips to winterize your properties.

Inspect Weatherstripping and Caulking

Windows and doors present opportunities for cold air to get inside, which is why builders seal cracks and crevices with silicone and weatherstripping. As you begin to winterize your properties, inspect each of these components to make sure they’re in good working order. If any seals show signs of deterioration, replace them promptly.

Insulate Pipes

As temperatures drop, water starts to freeze and expand. This can cause problems in confined spaces such as pipes. When the weather eventually warms, the melting water will leak out of any cracks created by expansion, which could lead to significant structural damage inside the building. To minimize frozen water, wrap insulation around any pipe that isn’t in a heated area.

Maintain Minimum Temperatures

A burst pipe due to freezing could happen in any part of the house, which is why you should always maintain a minimum level of heating. While this isn’t normally a problem in occupied units, vacant properties can easily take a backseat if you’re responsible for multiple buildings. To prevent frozen indoor water, keep the thermostat set at 55 degrees F in any unoccupied property.

Perform Preventative Exterior Maintenance

Many people think of winterization as an indoor activity. However, there are things you can do on the building’s exterior to minimize winter’s impact. Inspect the roof to make sure it’s in good shape and replace any missing shingles that could provide an incursion point for water. Make sure all gutters and downspouts are clean and free of debris and look for sagging and other damage that might compromise the system’s ability to move liquid away from the building.

Get Ready for Winter

No matter if you’re in charge of a single rental property or you’re the manager for a massive multi-family building, don’t wait until it’s too late to start your winterization efforts. By taking a few precautions while it’s warm, you’ll be better positioned to keep your tenants happy when the mercury drops. If you still need help keeping residents content, let the experts at Opiniion help you get tenant feedback. To learn how we can help, contact us today by calling 1-855-330-9980.

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