Winter is Coming – Protect Your Property
Sure, it may have been in the mid-90’s just last week, but believe it or not, winter is right around the corner. If you’ve lived in Colorado the past few years, you know that the jump from summer into winter is a quick one, sometimes it seems to happen overnight, so it’s important to get your property prepared for winter before it’s too late! Every season requires some special attention, so, what can you do to keep your property in top-top shape for the winter?
Before it’s too late
One of the biggest concerns for winter months is frozen pipes. Thankfully, that issue is one that can be avoided with a little planning and forethought. When water freezes it expands, which is why it’s important to drain pipes of all water so that when temperatures do drop, there’s no water inside the pipe to cause a crack.
- Be sure to drain water from your water sprinkler supply lines before temperatures start to drop. As always, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, or hire a pro.
- Remove, drain, and safely store all your hoses. Be sure to keep the outside valve open so any remaining water can expand without damaging the pipe.
- If you have any unheated areas in the house with water supply lines, like in the basement, crawl space, attic, or even under cabinets, insulate both the hot and cold water pipes.
- Go the extra mile, and learn how to shut off your main water valve so that you’re prepared in case your pipes do freeze.
- Keep yourself extra safe by replacing batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them out too, while you’re at it!
What else can you do to prepare?
Here’s a quick list:
- Make sure the home’s heating and cooling system is working properly
- Paint, caulk, and seal exterior wood (as needed)
- Check your drainage making sure there are no areas where water will pool at your foundation
- Clean the gutters
While in the thick of it
As the cold winter months rage on, you’ll want to do a few things differently to ensure your property is protected.
- If your garage houses any water supply lines, keep that door closed as much as possible!
- Anytime you leave the house during cold weather, especially for extended periods of time, set your thermostat for 55F at the lowest.
- Shoveling may not be everybody’s favorite chore, but it’s a necessary one. Per Boulder County guidelines, sidewalks need to be cleared of snow 24 hours after the snow stops falling. Do your part to keep everybody safe!
Whether you’re a homeowner or renting out a property, these are important tasks to keep on top of throughout the year. Keeping track of these needs can be challenging, especially if you have multiple properties to care for, but it doesn’t have to be. Reach out, and let’s see how we can work together. We specialize in property management and can help you navigate the sometimes complicated world of rental properties.
