To quote Game of Thrones, winter is coming. The mercury may still be above freezing, but temperatures are dropping. The wind is starting to bite and the leaves are piling up. Any Chicago native knows that winter can come quickly, and when it does it gets COLD. Temperatures in the windy city can hit below -20 at their lowest. Optimists will say that real winter is still months away, but you can never prepare for winter too early. Now is the perfect time to prepare a Chicago property for winter.
Any homeowner knows that preparing a property for winter takes time and planning. That goes double for property managers. You may have multiple properties or a big multifamily building, and you have tenants that are relying on you. Freezing temperatures can cause damage to your property and pose a risk to your tenants. Being properly prepared for winter will save you money, hassle, and time when the snow starts to fall.
1. Prepare for snow removal
This may seem like an obvious one, but you would be surprised how many people leave this too late. Whether you have a large multifamily complex or just manage a few homes, you need a snow removal plan. Waiting too late to stock up on supplies or contract a removal service can mean inflated prices or long waits.
If you plan on doing snow and ice removal yourself, be sure to check your supplies from last year. Make sure that you have everything you need like shovels and grit, and that it’s all in the right place. If you manage a larger property or several properties, it may be a better idea to get a snow removal service. You can easily find contractors in your area and reserve them early through apps like ChoreRelief.
2. Have your HVAC system thoroughly inspected
If you’re going to prepare a Chicago property for winter, you will want to have your HVAC systems fully inspected. The last thing you want is for the temperatures to plummet and the heat to go out. Freezing homes do not make for happy tenants. Sub-zero weather also puts an added strain on your heating. Taking the time to inspect it now can save you from major failures at inconvenient times.
Severe weather may mean that you can’t even get someone out immediately to solve an issue if it happens. If you can get someone, an emergency call will certainly be more expensive than preemptive repairs. In the coldest months in Chicago, a lack of heat can be more than an inconvenience. You will be forced to house tenants elsewhere until you get it fixed, which can be a huge expense.
3. Check your exteriors for cracks and gaps
Multifamily buildings mean big heating costs for property managers in winter. Communal areas need to be kept warm with lots of doors opening and closing, letting the heat out. Saving money on energy costs should always be a priority for property managers, especially in winter. You can’t stop people coming and going, but you can make sure you’re not losing heat in other ways.
Doing a full inspection of building exteriors for cracks and gaps is a great way to prepare a Chicago property for winter. It is the windy city after all, and small gaps in caulking or exterior doors can translate to big losses of heat. These kinds of inspections can be time-consuming though, so hiring a contractor to do it may be a good idea.
4. Winterize exterior piping
If you’ve lived in Chicago long enough, you’ve probably seen a burst pipe that’s frozen solid at least once. When water turns to ice it expands, and the ice in your pipes is no exception. Most pipes will run internally or underground and will be shielded from the worst of the freeze. However, any external plumbing is at risk of freezing solid and bursting.
Luckily, winterizing your plumbing is not that complicated. You can pick up pipe insulation from most hardware stores cheaply and easily. Fully wrapping your exterior pipes in insulation will protect against freezing and cracking. The last thing you want is to pay an emergency plumber to deal with burst pipes in the middle of a freeze!
5. Check the roof and gutters
It’s easy to forget, but snow is frozen water. It may seem dry and fluffy but, like Cinderella at midnight, it will turn back. When it melts, it needs somewhere to go. If your gutters are still filled with leaves from fall, that can spell trouble. Snowmelts that can’t drain can cause anything from broken gutters to leaks and flooding.
To prepare a Chicago property for winter, it is very important to make sure that your gutters are clear and crack-free, and that you don’t have any loose shingles. With big snowfalls and heavy winds, the roof of your property is the most likely part to take damage in a storm. Giving it a once over before winter can save you from more expensive damage down the line.
6. Prepare vacant units
One of the most common mistakes that property managers make in winter is forgetting about vacant units. When a house or unit is occupied, the heat is on and the water is flowing. That keeps the freeze at bay and prevents damage. If you have a property that is not occupied during winter, you need to fully winterize it. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in major issues.
The most important thing to do is prevent the water from freezing in your plumbing and water heater. Winterizing your plumbing is easy to do, but you need to be sure to do it properly. First, shut off your water main valve. Then you want to drain all the water from your plumbing and water heater. Run all your faucets, drain your water heater, and flush toilets until they are dry. If you can’t get all the water out of toilets, add some non-toxic antifreeze to protect against cracking.
Summary
We get it, winter may still feel like a long way off. But preparing a Chicago property for winter can start right now. The more time you have to get everything in order, the less likely you are to forget something. Read our list and make your own so you can check it off. Because cold weather means complications for property managers and unhappy tenants if you get it wrong.
Save money by booking contractors early and stocking up on supplies. Get the maintenance you need to be winter-ready done now and avoid emergency situations and costs. With a little bit of planning, winter doesn’t need to be a headache and you can enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind.
The post 6 Tips for Property Managers to Prepare a Chicago Property for Winter appeared first on ChoreRelief.
source https://chorerelief.com/6-tips-for-property-managers-to-prepare-a-chicago-property-for-winter/
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