It’s fall, and the start of a new season is an ideal time to check on your tenants regarding the current state of the property and take care of the maintenance work needed to keep it in good shape as we enter the colder months of the year. Whether your rental property needs several repairs or just a few tweaks, these are our recommendations to prepare it for the fall.
6 Essential Maintenance Items to Get Your Rental Property Ready for the Fall
1 – Clean Up the Rain Gutters
When leaves fall, one of the most common places for them to land is the rain gutters. Clogged gutters obstruct water flow, causing roof leaks and structural damage overtime. If you leave the gutters filled with leaves and debris as the weather gets colder, there’s also an increased risk of ice dams: blocks of frozen water from snowfall that can cause significant damage to the roof’s structure.
2 – Roof and Chimney Check Up
Fall’s characteristic weather conditions can exacerbate any weaknesses in the roof. If you don’t tackle the repairs before the winter, loose or damaged shingles can cause water damage, poor insulation, and heat loss that will increase utility costs, the risk pest infestation, and snow damage.
While you can perform a basic roof inspection, we strongly recommend scheduling a professional inspection. Roofers can identify more subtle issues and perform necessary maintenance on the spot, saving you time and money. If your property has a chimney, a professional inspection can also help identify and remove creosote buildup, ensuring proper air circulation and reducing the risk of fires.
3 – Test Smoke and CO Detectors
As tenants will start spending more time indoors with the doors and windows tightly closed and the heating on, it’s important to ensure the smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are working. These devices are the first line of defence against life-threatening perils like fires and CO poisoning, and a quick check-up on them to replace the batteries or buy new units can ensure a safe environment for tenants and reduce the risk of liability.
4 – Seal Doors and Windows
Something as simple as small gaps around doors and windows can lead to heat loss, reducing the home’s comfort, higher bills, or potential mold growth due to the moisture seeping through due to poor insulation. Perform a visual inspection to spot visible cracks, gaps, or damaged seals in windows and doors and make the necessary repairs and replacements, including installing window insulation films, to ensure the property is fully sealed against the weather.
5 – HVAC Maintenance
Tenants will start using the HVAC system more as the weather gets colder, so being proactive and booking a professional assessment and maintenance appointment will keep your tenants happy and reduce their need to call you after hours for an unexpected malfunction or, worse, a CO leak.
6 – Winterize Outdoor Pipes, Faucets, and Irrigation Systems
If your property has an irrigation system, learning how to prepare it for the fall will save you from more than a headache when the temperature rises again, as freezing and below zero temperatures can damage irrigation equipment making them crack and develop leaks or burst. Here’s how to prepare your irrigation system and its components for the colder months:
- Turn off the water supply;
- Disconnect any garden hoses and drain any remaining water from them, the faucets, irrigation pipes, and the backflow preventer. Depending on the manufacturer, the method of draining your system will be automatic, manual, or with the help of an air compressor. Consult the manual to do it properly.
- Store the hoses in the garage or in a place that you know they’ll be protected from the cold;
- Install insulated faucet covers or foam covers to protect the faucets from freezing temperatures. This will also help keep them dry by preventing melted snow or rain from entering the faucets.
Rental Maintenance for a Cozy Fall
By taking these easy maintenance measures, you can have the peace of mind that your property is in good shape and your tenants are ready to spend the colder months comfortably. Happy fall!
