Harsh winter weather is ordinary in most northern areas. But even states with milder winters can get hit with intense cold from time to time. As intense weather and climate events continue to increase, Arlington rental property owners need to know how to get their rental homes to prepare for when the next polar vortex strikes.
There are a variety of different ways 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 efficient ways to get ready for an extreme cold weather event is to enlist your tenants to help you. Probably the most critical thing you can do to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting (and flooding your rental property!) is to leave the water dripping at all times. Provide explicit directions to your tenants on how to run the taps in your rental house during a cold-weather event.
It is also a good idea to show your resident where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to operate it. In the case of a water leak, you can avoid massive damage by getting the water turned off sooner rather than later. Ultimately, protect hose bibs and other exposed plumbing by covering them with insulation or pipe wraps. By following these simple steps, it is often feasible to keep the water on and your rental property free of water damage even during a severe cold snap.
Medium Projects
If you’ve got the small projects in hand but want to take the next step, there are a few more projects that can make a massive impact on 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 moment when the furnace is already working overtime to make things warm. Furthermore, your rental home could substantially benefit from more energy-efficient doors. For illustration, simply replacing a hollow-core exterior door for one that is insulated can dramatically improve energy efficiency. In cold temperatures, even minor improvements in energy efficiency can have a significant impact on your utility bill – apart from your tenant’s comfort levels.
Large Projects
To get your rental house as ready as it can be for extreme cold weather, there are also some large projects that, if possible, will dramatically improve your property’s performance. Let’s say if you’ve been using electric heat, think about switching to natural gas. In several instances, 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 undertake is to add insulation to your rental property’s attic, walls, or foundation. This may be particularly necessary if your rental property is older or still not updated since insulation standards have improved over the years. It is recommended to inspect your property’s current insulation levels and increase them if low. Several forms of blow-in or spray-in insulation can help improve the structure’s energy efficiency without requiring major demolition or interruption of your tenants’ lives.
With projects for every rental property and budget, there are things you can do to get your rental house ready in the event of a polar vortex. With extreme weather on the rise, the best way to be prepared is to start getting your rental house ready long before the cold arrives.
Would you like more tips on getting your rental property ready for the future? Real Property Management 360 can help! Our professional Arlington property managers work with property investors like you to help you maximize the potential of your investment property. To learn more, contact us online or call at 817-502-3588 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.
