Winterizing Your Home: A Checklist for Landlords, Property Management Companies and Homeowners

Winter is the season that seems to creep up on us every year, and winterizing your home is a constant annual concern. Summer fun and Fall foliage tend to zip on by, and before we know it, winter is upon us. It’s not difficult to miss the opportunity to protect your home or rental units from the winter elements.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or a property management firm, the following checklist will be beneficial to winterizing your home.

• Inspect Boilers and Furnaces

Now is the time to have your boilers, furnaces and HVAC systems inspected and serviced. Getting on a regular maintenance schedule will relieve the pressures of remembering to make a phone call every year! This will also help ensure you are free of carbon monoxide leaks.

• Insulate Your Pipes

Start with exterior exposed pipes that may run along or through your exterior walls. These are the pipes that will freeze and potentially burst. Check for cracks and corrosion as these areas will be the most prone to a water breach.

• Set Up Snow Removal in Advance

Getting on the schedule with your snow removal company in advance will ensure that your property will be handled, and one less worry to have on your shoulders!

• Clean Those Gutters!

This may be one of the most crucial times to have your gutters cleaned! Having clogged gutters going into winter allows an opportunity for snow and ice buildup which can lead to major unwanted damage!

• Check for Pooling and Loose Shingles

On flat or slightly sloped roofs, you will want to check for any areas where water may be pooling. Getting that water dispersed to prevent freezing will be important in preventing cracking or other damage. Loose shingles may also allow for water to get into places it shouldn’t be, in turn, causing freezing that could lead to further damage.

• Have Your Trees Trimmed

Making sure your branches and limbs are trimmed back from your home can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. Heavy snow and ice buildup can easily cause limbs to snap off. You want to be sure they are not going to come crashing into your property if that happens.

• Install Insulated Windows

Consider replacing your old windows with insulated ones.
This will help in both winter and summer with energy costs.

• Install or Inspect Weather Stripping

Replacing weather stripping on doors and windows will prevent drafts. Weather stripping on the bottom of your doors will also prevent water, snow, and ice from getting in which can lead to damaged floors.

• Inspect Fire Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The winter holidays are a peak time for house fires that tend to be mainly cooking-related. Have a conversation about fire safety with your tenants. If you are going to deep-fry a turkey, please don’t do it in the house!

Studies have shown that most carbon monoxide poisoning happens during the winter months as our doors and windows are kept shut during this time. Be sure all detectors are working!

• Be Sure to Hire Professionals

When doing any work or maintenance to your home or properties, always be sure to hire a trusted, reliable professional. Need some tips on how to find a reliable contractor?

To find out more on how we can help you keep your home in good standing while reducing the stress or worry weighing on your shoulders, visit Hire a Handyman and let us take it from there.