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Prepare Your Rental for Polar Vortexes

Star Man Adding Insulation to AtticHarsh winter weather is frequent in various northern areas. But even states with milder winters can get hit with intense cold from time to time. As catastrophic weather and climate events continue to increase, Star rental property owners need to know how to get their rental homes equipped when the next polar vortex strikes.

There are various 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 greatest ways to get ready for an extreme cold weather event is to enlist your tenants to help you. One of the best ways to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting (and flooding your rental property!) is to leave the water dripping at all times. Provide your tenants precise instructions on how to run the taps in your rental house during a cold-weather event.

What is more, it is vital to remind your resident where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to operate it. In the situation of a water leak, you can avoid massive damage by getting the water turned off sooner rather than later. Finally, protect hose bibs and other exposed plumbing by covering them with insulation or pipe wraps. Employing these simple steps makes it relatively easy to keep the water on and your rental property free of water damage even during a harsh 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 contribute a lot to how well your rental property withstands 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 period when the furnace is already working overtime to make surroundings cozy. Furthermore, your rental home might significantly 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 modest improvements in energy efficiency may have a significant influence on your utility bill – not to mention 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. For example, if you’ve been utilizing electric heat, think about switching to natural gas. Generally, natural gas furnaces are more efficient and better on the budget than electric ones. In addition, if the power does go out during a cold-weather event, your rental home will still have heat.

One more large project to consider is to add insulation to your rental property’s attic, walls, or foundation. This may be highly essential if your rental property is older or has never been updated as insulation standards have developed over the years. It is suggested to inspect your property’s current insulation levels and increase them if low. Numerous sorts of blow-in or spray-in insulation can help improve the structure’s energy efficiency without requiring major demolition or discomfort in your tenants’ lives.

With projects for every rental property and budget, there are choices you can make to get your rental house ready in the event of a polar vortex. With extreme weather on the rise, the best solution to be prepared is to start getting your rental house ready long before the cold arrives.

 

Would you want extra tips on getting your rental property ready for the future? Real Property Management Boise can help! Our professional Star 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 208-494-1800 today!

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