The weather is starting to tell us that winter is coming! Though there are different events and tasks that come with the change in a season, one change is that of preparing your home for winter. Every Republic rental home requires seasonal maintenance so that it can be kept in good condition month after month. Getting ready for a new season should be done way before it even arrives. While some winterization tasks are best left to your landlord or a professional, you can do things to prepare your home to be ready for the cold temperature.
Cooling System
Once temperatures have dropped enough that your air conditioner is no longer needed, it’s time to winterize it for the season. Doing this will protect your unit and improve its performance for when you next need it. Prepping an AC unit for winter is easy: clean off the condensing unit with a spray of water, let dry, and then cover the unit with a breathable, waterproof cover. Remember to close and cover the vents if you have a window unit.
Heating System
With winter approaching, it’s important to fire up your furnace for a test run long before you need it. Turn your furnace on simply to check if it is still working. Also, be sure to replace your air filters, clean and open all heating vents, and check for any obstructions. For any issues that you might notice, bring them up with your landlord as soon as possible.
Fireplace
If your rental home has a fireplace, it’s best to prepare it prior to use. To illustrate, perhaps one of the things you can do is to check if the chimney has been cleaned or not. If the chimney is not clean, inform your landlord. This way, you can request a cleaning to be scheduled. If you think that birds, mice, squirrels, or other animals have made a nest inside, this should be looked into asap. Then, remove any flammable objects from around the fireplace opening and check that the damper is working properly.
Plumbing
Frozen water pipes are very common dangers in freezing weather. To help keep your home’s pipes from freezing, take steps before cold temperatures arrive. Check the basement, crawlspace, attic, or exterior for exposed pipes. Then, wrap any pipes with foam insulating sleeves. As needed, exterior faucets, hoses, and sprinkler systems should be drained, disconnected, and covered. Just a few steps towards ensuring the maintenance and functioning of your plumbing throughout winter.
Windows & Doors
Drafts and air leaks might prove to be a problem when the temperatures drop low. Before that even happens, check your home’s doors and windows for gaps, cracks, and air leaks. Typically, air leaks around doors and windows can be fixed with some caulk or weather stripping. If air leaks but it don’t trace back to an obvious source, call your landlord to have it checked out by a professional.
Yard & Patio
Lastly, don’t overlook preparing your yard, patio, or deck for the winter, too. Autumn is a splendid time to trim back trees and shrubs, clean up fallen leaves, and mow the lawn one last time. Also, don’t forget to cover and store grills, patio furniture, cushions, hammocks, and other warm-weather furnishings. Don’t let snow or cold weather damage your outdoor furnishings – make sure you take care of them so that they don’t wear out fast.
Getting your home ready for the winter can often be very grueling. But, when the cold temperatures come, you will be glad you got it done. However, if you can’t bear the thought of having to go through another winter in your current rental home, then maybe you should consider moving. Check out the available rental listings that Real Property Management Momentum has to offer.
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