Winter is full of wonderful things: frosty views, hot chocolate, long evenings on the couch, pumpkin spice…but not everything is quite so welcome.
Dropping temperatures put any home or apartment building under a lot of strain, and, sometimes, the solutions for wintertime problems feel very remote, particularly if you don’t own your own property.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to mitigate the winter troubles in your rental property. Here are just a few…
Don’t Neglect the Heating
While we’re all looking for ways to save money during winter – and surviving with hot water bottles, blankets, and fuzzy socks may seem like a good way to do it – going cold turkey (literally) with your heating is one of the worst things you can do.
When the temperatures are particularly low, an unheated house can suffer from frozen pipes, which can be extremely costly to fix, particularly if they end up bursting and causing damage to your belongings as well as the property itself. While water damage causes a lot of issues in and of itself, it can also lead to other major issues, such as mold growth. Fortunately, provided the mold was caused by a named peril (such as a burst pipe), renters insurance can cover mold damage – a big reason why these policies are so highly recommended for any renter.
Spending too long being cold is also very bad for your health, so try to work out a system for regularly warming the house that works for you, and your wallet.
Focus on easy, low-cost ways to minimize damp
A lot of buildings are apt to get a little damp in the winter months. Those little running beads of moisture are caused by hot air hitting cold surfaces like windows and external walls. That’s why, in the early mornings, the bedroom windows tend to be very damp – the air inside is very warm, and the low temperatures overnight have caused a lot of damp to build up on the glass.
The usual, higher-impact improvements that homeowners can make with a view to boosting their home’s value – for instance, ventilation systems like HRV and ERV, seal leaks and crawl space encapsulation – aren’t available to renters, but there are plenty of smaller-scale projects and habits you can take on if you want to minimize the amount of damp forming within your home.
Investing in a dehumidifier is a great option, and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Drying laundry outside is also a great trick, and it’s a myth that clothes won’t dry when the temperature is low. Avoid pushing any furniture up against external walls, keep lids on your pans when cooking to avoid too much steam from making its way onto the ceiling, and ensure the homeLe stays as ventilated as possible.
Minimizing damp will minimize mold growth, which is the key to keeping the property healthy and safe.
Clean the Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to collect and pour into the house’s foundations when, in reality, it should be directed as far away from the house as possible. If the area beneath your home gets too waterlogged, major structural issues can begin to take hold.
Getting the gutters cleaned is quick, simple, and cheap (if you decide to hire help). It’ll lower the risk of any leaks or damp spots emerging through your external walls, which is great for keeping the whole property healthy.
Window Insulation Film
This one is very quick and simple, and renter friendly – particularly if you’re living in an older building. Even newer windows can be guilty of letting cold air into the home, so an additional layer designed to close off any failed seals or poor insulation can make a big difference.
You can DIY window insulation film, even if you don’t consider yourself very handy. It only takes a few minutes, and helps you to save on your heating bill. You could combine the film with rope caulk to really stop drafts in their tracks.
Foam Board Insulation for Cabinets
A lot of people don’t realize that any cabinets mounted on external walls are a common source of cold air and dampness. You don’t need to rip the kitchen out and invest in costly damp coursing – just some foam board insulation panels that can be cut to size, and easily removed at the end of your lease if the landlord requires it.
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