10 Tips for Preparing Your Rental Home for Winter

Outdoor Prep

Preparing Your Rental Home: Clean Gutters

One of the easiest, most important yet inexpensive ways to get ready for winter is to clean your gutters. Rain can overflow if your gutters aren’t clean and this excess water can harm the walls and foundation behind the gutters. Gutters filled with leaves and other obstructions can help the formation of icicles which can be incredibly dangerous. A way to make this process even easier is to install gutter guards so you can easily brush off debris. However, if you are struggling to do this safely, don’t be afraid to call in the professionals!

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Preventing your pipes from freezing over in that ice-cold weather is essential when preparing your rental home for winter. Any outdoor faucets and hose bibs should be shut off and completely drained. Keep in mind that if a hose is left attached, even frost-proof faucets might freeze and burst. If you are still worried about frozen pipes, wrap them in inexpensive foam pipe insulation. One way to tell if your pipes are frozen is if water isn't coming out. Others signs of frozen pipes are if there is a strange odor or you can visibly see frost on the pipe.

HVAC Systems

It is important to replace filters and test systems every three months. This will ensure that all parts are operating properly and improve air quality.

Preparing Your Rental Home: AC Units

When winter weather comes, drain and put away window air conditioning units. Leaving them outside to the elements can damage and strain the unit and windowsill if it accumulates snow.

Windows and Doors

Winterizing your windows and doors is a crucial step to keeping the cold outside. Check the windows and doors in your house for leaks and airways. This could add a huge strain on your electric bill and heating system. Prep for winter and lock up these drafty entry points with caulking or weatherstripping. You should not be able to see any daylight through your door. Energy expenses can be greatly reduced by slipping draft guards or door sweeps under any doors that lead outside.

Preparing Your Rental Home: Insulation

Fill up any cracks between the walls and around any hatches or attic doors if your apartment has an attic or crawl space. Boost the insulation if necessary (you should have 10-14 inches). Some areas you might want to insulate include elbow walls and basement ceilings. If left uninsulated they can let cold air in. Also check the outside of your house for exterior cracks to prevent both animals and cold air from getting in.

Indoor Prep

Preparing Your Rental Home: Reverse Ceiling Fans

One of the easiest steps to preparing your rental home for winter can make such a big difference. Switching ceiling fans to the reverse position can force warm air back down, making you warmer and lower heating costs. Just remember to turn them back again in the spring.

Clean Chimneys

Making sure your chimneys are clean and safe to use is imperative to prepping your home for winter. A clogged chimney can be very deadly as wood, fumes, and creosote buildup. By having your chimney cleaned by a certified chimney sweep and checking for any potential hazards like cracks, grime buildup, or other hazards, you may prevent house fires that start in your chimney. You can also add a chimney balloon to reduce drafts, keep in heat, and keep out animals.

Check Alarms Detectors

Heat sources like fireplaces and furnaces can be hazardous and winter months make homes more prone to fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Prep for winter by checking to make sure all the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.

Preparing Your Rental Home: Maintain Constant Heat

Maintain a constant heat of about 62 degrees Fahrenheit in your home, even if you go away on vacation. This is important to make sure pipes don’t freeze and burst. A programmable thermostat can be helpful to save energy costs. It lets you to set varied temperatures for different times of the day.

If you have any specific questions or need a few more tips for preparing your rental home for the winter season, feel free to reach out anytime.