As fall settles in and temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to prepare your rental property for winter. Freezing weather and heavy snow can take a toll on roofs, siding, and walkways, but a little preventative work now can save you costly repairs later. Use these 10 fall maintenance tasks to keep your property safe, efficient, and ready for whatever winter brings.
1. Clean the Roof and Gutters
Clogged gutters and roof valleys are the main culprits behind ice dams, icicles, and roof leaks. Before winter sets in, clear out leaves, twigs, and debris with a rake or blower. A clean roofline ensures water drains properly instead of pooling and freezing.
Thinking about gutter guards? Choose carefully. Some mesh guards prevent you from reaching into the gutters, which can make cleaning more difficult. Wire mesh guards can keep out large debris, but pine needles and small leaves can still get in and block water flow. There are two types of gutter guards to consider:
- Micromesh guards that block fine debris.
- Hinged guards that lift easily for cleaning.
A clean, well-drained gutter system is your first defense against winter water damage.
2. Trim Overhanging Branches
Ice-laden branches are a serious threat in winter. Iced-over branches that overhang the roof can snap off and cause damage. They also drop debris that can cause ice dams, and they provide a bridge for rats, squirrels, and other pests to your attic.
Branches near power lines are especially dangerous, but don’t handle these yourself. Hire a professional to do the job safely.
While you are cleaning up the branches, prune back ivy and other creeping vines that have reached roof height. Left unchecked, they trap moisture and create access points for pests.
3. Rake the leaves
Falling leaves are an autumn staple, but piles of wet leaves can damage lawns and gardens, create slipping risks, and garner complaints from neighbors or your HOA.
Make sure leaves are raked and removed regularly. If you don’t want to handle this yourself, hire a landscaping service to keep the property maintained.
4. Check weatherstripping and insulation
Drafty doors and windows drive up heating costs and leave tenants uncomfortable. Foam weatherstripping lasts from five to 10 years, depending on quality, and should be replaced when it cracks or shrinks.
For bigger gaps, remove window and door casings and spray foam insulation between the frame and studs. A pro can finish the job in a day, and sealing drafts can cut heating bills by 10 to 15 percent.
5. Clean or replace HVAC filters
Heating systems work overtime in winter, and clogged filters strain the system and shorten its lifespan. Make filter replacement part of your fall checklist. Swap out all return air filters and any on the heater housing itself.
Clean filters improve efficiency, lower energy use, and reduce the chance of costly midwinter breakdowns.
6. Patch holes
Rodents can get through holes as small as ¼ inch in diameter, and once they do, they chew wiring, contaminate insulation, and cause tenant complaints. Inspect the property’s foundation, siding, and attic vents for any openings.
Seal small holes with caulk or foam spray. Cover larger gaps with wire mesh, sheet metal, or plywood. Check for rot in eaves and foundations, and repair with epoxy filler to block pests and prevent structural damage.
7. Drain exterior faucets
Frozen pipes are one of the most expensive winter headaches. The risk is highest in exterior hose bibs and garden spigots. Shut off the valve supplying each faucet, then open the faucet to let water drain out. Leave it slightly open so any ice that forms has room to expand without bursting the pipe.
8. Turn off and drain the sprinkler system
A sprinkler system full of water won’t survive freezing temperatures. Locate the drain valve at the system’s lowest point. Turn off the main water supply, then open the drain valve along with the valves for each zone. This allows trapped water to escape.
If your system doesn’t have a drain valve, have one installed by a professional before winter.
9. Check and clean the chimney
If your property has a wood stove or fireplace, yearly chimney maintenance is a must. Creosote buildup can ignite and cause a fire. Hire a certified chimney sweep to remove deposits, check the damper, and clean the spark arrestor.
This isn’t a DIY job. Creosote is a health hazard, and cleaning requires specialized tools. A professional inspection gives you peace of mind and protects your property.
10. Conduct a fall maintenance safety inspection
Small issues become major risks when covered in ice and snow. Walk the property and look for loose decking boards, rotted stair treads, or unstable railings. Replace nails, secure boards, and reinforce railings so they can handle a slip or fall.
Consider applying a non-slip coating to outdoor stair treads to reduce winter accidents before they happen.
Fall is the time to tackle these maintenance projects, before snow and ice turn small problems into emergencies. A few hours of work now saves you from costly repairs and keeps your rental in top condition all winter long.
Track Maintenance on Apartments.com
Dealing with maintenance requests can often feel like a juggling act. You’ve got tenants reaching out, schedules to coordinate, and service professionals to contact. It can get hectic, but Apartments.com has the solution. With our online maintenance platform, tenants can submit maintenance requests online. We notify you when you have a request, and you can easily update your tenants as the repair progresses.
You can attach receipts, upload notes, and track expenses for the repairs. You and your tenants can share images and videos. Keeping everything in one place makes it easy to keep track of repairs, how often something is requiring repair, and how future repairs might impact your budget.
This article was originally published on October 27, 2022 and has since been updated.
