Winterization Check List

It seems that summer sneaks away quickly and fall and winter are here before we barely finish our fair-weather project list.  Winterizing our homes and rentals is best done before you’re facing sky-high utility bills and every contractor is booked helping others.  

Here is a list of common winterization tasks that you may want to consider:

• Remove air-conditioners from windows
• Test all heating systems: clean heating coils and change air filters
• Check weather-stripping around doors and windows
• Caulk around windows, doors and siding
• Insulate hose bibs
• Cover all crawl-spaces and foundation vents, insulate where possible
• Clean gutters and test downspouts
• Clean chimneys to fireplaces and woodstoves
• Remind tenants to keep heat at 55 degree minimum & open cabinets when away
• Locate water main shut-off in case of emergency
• Reverse ceiling fan direction for distributing heat
• Add insulation where lacking:  pipes, heat vents, attics, crawl spaces
• Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide alarms

Maintain this yearly check list for each of your rentals and it will help serve as a helpful tool & reference for future years.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Janell is a member of Rentec Direct, a web-based property management software program designed to help streamline tenant criminal and credit checks and the day-to-day operations of landlords and property managers.  You'll find many other useful articles like this on the Rentec Direct Blog.