Harsh winter weather is normal throughout many northern areas. But even states with milder winters can get hit with severe cold from time to time. As harsh weather and climate events continue to increase, Casselberry rental property owners need to know how to get their rental homes equipped for when the next polar vortex strikes.
There are a couple of different strategies to prepare a rental house for extreme cold. From small projects to the bigger renovations, in this article, we’ll take a look at cost-effective ways to get your rental home ready to withstand anything Mother Nature may bring.
Small Projects
One of the best ways to get ready for an extreme cold weather event is to enlist your tenants to help you. Probably the most critical action you can do to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting (and flooding your rental property!) is to leave the water dripping at all times. Give detailed guidelines to your tenants on how to run the taps in your rental house during a cold-weather event.
Plus, it is imperative to inform your resident where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to operate it. In the instance of a water leak, you can avoid massive damage by getting the water turned off sooner rather than later. At last, protect hose bibs and other exposed plumbing by covering them with insulation or pipe wraps. By adopting these basic steps, it is often easy to keep the water on and your rental property free of water damage even through an extreme cold snap.
Medium Projects
If you’ve got the small projects in hand but want to take the next step, there are a couple of extra projects that can make a major change in how well your rental property weathers the next cold weather event. If your rental house doesn’t already have them, consider installing double-pane windows.
Not only are double-pane windows more energy-efficient, but they will also help prevent extreme cold air from leaking into the house at a time when the furnace is already working overtime to keep things cozy. Likewise, your rental home can considerably benefit from more energy-efficient doors. For instance, simply replacing a hollow-core exterior door for one that is insulated can dramatically improve energy efficiency. In cold temperatures, even little improvements in energy efficiency can affect substantially on your utility bill – not to mention your tenant’s comfort levels.
Large Projects
There are also a handful of large projects that, if possible, will dramatically improve your property’s performance and get your rental house as safe as it can be for extreme cold weather. For instance, if you’ve been counting on electric heat, think about switching to natural gas. Generally, natural gas furnaces are more efficient and easier on the budget than electric ones. Moreover, if the power does go out during a cold-weather event, your rental home will still have heat.
Another large project to contemplate is to add insulation to your rental property’s attic, walls, or foundation. This may be highly important if your rental property is older or has never been updated since insulation standards have changed over the years. It is necessary to inspect your property’s current insulation levels and increase them if low. Numerous kinds of blow-in or spray-in insulation can help improve the structure’s energy efficiency without requiring major demolition or disruption of your tenants’ lives.
With projects for every rental property and budget, there are actions you can perform to get your rental house ready in the event of a polar vortex. With extreme weather on the rise, the right approach to be prepared is to start getting your rental house ready long before the cold arrives.
Do you want more tips on getting your rental property ready for the future? Real Property Management Vanguard can help! Our professional Casselberry property managers collaborate with property investors like you to help you maximize the potential of your investment property. To learn more, contact us online or call at 407-681-7802 today!
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