Harsh winter weather is widespread in many northern areas. But even states with milder winters can get hit with intense cold from time to time. As extreme weather and climate events continue to increase, Weeki Wachee rental property owners need to know how to get their rental homes ready for when the next polar vortex strikes.
There are numerous alternative 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 ideal ways to get ready for an extreme cold weather event is to enlist your tenants to help you. Perhaps the most effective method to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting (and flooding your rental property!) is to leave the water dripping at all times. Give your tenants adequate information on how to run the taps in your rental house during a cold-weather event.
It is also imperative to tell your resident where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to operate it. In the scenario of a water leak, you can avoid massive damage by getting the water turned off sooner rather than later. Lastly, protect hose bibs and other exposed plumbing by covering them with insulation or pipe wraps. By conducting these simple steps, it is always feasible to keep the water on and your rental property free of water damage even in the course of a significant cold snap.
Medium Projects
If you’ve got the small projects in hand but want to take the next step, there are a few other projects that can represent a big impact on how well your rental property will resist 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 temperatures warm. Similarly, more energy-efficient doors in your rental home could save you a huge amount of money. For instance, simply replacing a hollow-core exterior door for one that is insulated can dramatically improve energy efficiency. In cold temperatures, even minimal improvements in energy efficiency can dramatically affect your utility bill – in addition to your tenant’s comfort levels.
Large Projects
There are also a couple of large projects that, if possible, will dramatically improve your property’s performance and get your rental house prepared for extreme cold weather. For instance, if you’ve been employing electric heat, try switching to natural gas. Typically, natural gas furnaces are more efficient and easier on the budget than electric ones. Besides that, if the power does go out during a cold-weather event, your rental home will still have heat.
Another large project to consider is to add insulation to your rental property’s attic, walls, or foundation. This may be hugely beneficial if your rental property is older or hasn’t yet been updated as insulation standards have altered over the years. It is advisable to inspect your property’s current insulation levels and increase them if low. Numerous styles of blow-in or spray-in insulation can help improve the structure’s energy efficiency without requiring major demolition or affecting your tenants’ lives.
With projects for every rental property and budget, there are steps you can do to get your rental house ready in the event of a polar vortex. With extreme weather on the rise, the ideal technique to be prepared is to start getting your rental house ready long before the cold arrives.
Do you need additional tips on getting your rental property ready for the future? Real Property Management Connection can help! Our professional Weeki Wachee property managers partner with property investors like you to help you maximize the potential of your investment property. To learn more, contact us online or call at 352-352-428-2316 today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
