House Manuals

Owning a rental property can be a great way to earn extra income. You should stay on top of preventative maintenance to keep your property safe and habitable for tenants, and to protect your investment. If you live in a climate where the winters are cold,  much can be done before winter weather hits.

Check roof for leaks

Roofs can be leaky for a while before it becomes obvious. By the time the leak is apparent, it’s usually a crisis situation requiring immediate action to fix the problem and prevent further damage. But damage could be happening even if you don’t see the leak. Wet wood turns to rot, and soggy insulation can get moldy and cause a hazard. Before the rain and snow descend, check your roof for missing or broken shingles and holes, and look for spaces between the chimney and the roof. Repair problem areas and seal with watertight caulk. Be sure to inspect the attic or crawlspace for signs of water damage.

Hire a professional for steep pitches and tricky fixes. If you don’t have a good roofer in your list of professionals, take the time to find one. Ask other property owners or your local rental housing association for referrals.

Clean out gutters

Gutters and downspouts require regular maintenance. Leaves and debris can collect quickly, especially in the fall. When they’re clean and intact, gutters and downspouts can direct heavy rains away from your roof and foundation, preventing leaks and flooding.

Some landlords who are able to climb a ladder do this job themselves. If you opt to try it, be sure to put on good gardening gloves and bring a trowel. If your gutters are too far off the ground or you aren’t able to access it, you can hire a service that specializes in gutter cleaning.

Prevent freezing pipes by winterizing hoses and sprinkler systems

In wet weather, landscaping doesn’t need water like it did during the summer. Winterizing may prevent damage to irrigation systems and protect pipes from cracks and leaks. To winterize, drain hoses and disconnect them from exterior faucets. If possible, store them inside. Drain the faucet if possible and cover it with a Styrofoam hose bib (available at any hardware store), or wrap it in a towel secured with a bungee cord. Drain built-in sprinkler systems as well to prevent them from cracking.

Wrap interior pipes to prevent freezing

Your indoor plumbing can be at risk of freezing and cracking, too, if you have pipes running through chilly basements, exposed crawl spaces or accessible attics. An indoor leak can cause costly damage to your property and to your tenants’ belongings. Prevent this scenario by wrapping those pipes with foam covers or towels.

Check window and door seals

Your heating bill may suffer when windows and doors aren’t in top shape. Check each window and door seal for drafts and air leaks to prevent heat escaping. Caulk over problem areas or call in a professional to replace a window or two if they are beyond repair.

FIX or PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

         Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk. Yes, pipes can freeze overnight if temperatures plummet drastically

·         The pipes most likely to freeze are those nearest an uninsulated wall, door, window, garage, attic, basement, or along an uninsulated floor. Add insulation to exterior walls wherever possible and wrap pipes with insulation.

·         Pipes exposed to extremely cold temperatures are most susceptible to damage including those outside of the home, and water supply lines in unheated areas like basements, attics, and kitchen cabinets.

·         Not all frozen pipes burst. However, thawing the ice can increase the risk, as it usually worsens the problem since it raises the pressure further

What plumbing pipe won't freeze?

PEX is flexible and performs better in freezing conditions than rigid pipes like copper, PVC and CPVC.

How do I make sure my pipes don't burst in cold weather?

Wrap pipes with heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables. Be sure to follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions. Seal leaks that allow cold air inside, near where pipes are located (i.e. around electrical wiring, dryer vents, other pipes), with caulk or insulation.

Does running water keep pipes from freezing?

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

What do plumbers use to unfreeze pipes?

For hidden pipes: Use an infrared lamp to target frozen areas. You may need to make an opening in your wall to access the pipe. For exposed pipes: Use a hair dryer, infrared lamp, portable heater, heating pad, heat tape, or steamed towels to apply heat (never use an open flame).