Any rental property will face hazards in frigid temperatures, but this is especially true for the properties that are vacant during the cold. If you know that your rental property is going to be sitting empty for the foreseeable future, a good way of preserving it is by winterizing it properly. If temperatures drop and the property isn’t ready, you could end up with burst pipes, a leaking roof, or any number of cold-weather headaches. Keep reading if you want to know more about how to properly winterize a vacant rental property so that it can withstand winter’s deep freeze.
Leave the Heat On
The first step towards winterizing your rental property is to leave the heat on. Naturally, it makes sense to want to turn it off in order to save on utilities. However, you run the risk of flooding your home when the pipes burst because the heating in your rental was off. You don’t need to leave the heat on full blast, but it should be consistently warm enough on the inside of the house to help keep your pipes from icing over.
Drain and Insulate Your Pipes
To avoid having to deal with the big mess that frozen pipes create, make sure to drain and insulate them before you leave the house vacant during cold temperatures. Start by draining and detaching any garden hoses on the outside, and wrap your exterior hose bibs with insulation. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure you have it drained so that you can prevent leaks underground. Inside the house, wrap any exposed pipes – especially those in the basement or attic – with insulation or spray with foam.
Clean Gutters and Inspect the Roof
Another key detail to preparing your vacant rental property for the cold is to check your gutters and your roof. Plumbing can be a sore issue to deal with; but, if left unattended, the gutter and roof of your rental property might even cause more problems related to the cold weather! Clogged gutters or missing shingles can cause water to seep into the attic and walls and gather around the house’s foundation. When that water freezes wherever it seeps into, it will expand. When it expands, it will break the structure. It’s always wise to make sure your gutters are clean and drained properly, and your roof is securely made weather-tight.
Trim Trees & Shrubs
Lastly, one last task you should do to winterize your vacant rental property is to trim back any tree branches or shrubs that are touching or overhanging the house. Woodpiles or other objects touching the house should be moved, as well. Make sure there are no branches that are too close to your house, too. These can cause clogging of your gutters with leaves, or they could possibly break and fall on your house during a storm. Woodpiles can be home to pests and insects, which may find themselves moving indoors when it gets too cold. When in freezing temperatures, you can’t be bothered by a broken window, damaged roof, or a pest infestation. These situations could even be used by your insurance company to deny any claims you file.
Winterizing a vacant rental property can be a time-consuming but necessary task. But you don’t have to do it alone. At Real Property Management North Point, we help rental property owners like you keep their rentals ready for whatever Mother Nature may bring. To learn more, talk with one of our Decatur property managers by calling 404-341-2102.
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