Don't Let the First Freeze Surprise Your Rental

Winter is hard on rental homes in Lexington and across Central Kentucky. Our swings between freezing nights and mild days are tough on pipes, roofs and aging furnaces, and most of the expensive problems, like burst pipes, heating failures and ice damage, can be prevented with a little work in the fall. The best results come when residents and owners each do their part, so here is what we ask of both.

What do we ask the resident to do?

For residents, we start with the basics that keep a home running. We ask them to change the HVAC filter before the heating season and on schedule after that, since a clogged filter is one of the most common causes of furnace trouble. They should know where the main water shutoff is, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and keep the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher, even when they are away. During a hard freeze, we ask them to open the cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let a faucet drip slightly. Anyone planning to travel for an extended time should tell us first. Most of all, we ask residents to report a leak, a strange noise from the furnace or a drafty window right away, because a small problem caught early costs far less than the same problem found after a freeze.

What should a property owner do?

For owners, the work is mostly about checking the things residents can't. A good winter checklist for a Kentucky rental property starts with having the furnace or heat pump serviced before the first cold snap and replacing any aging unit before it fails in January. Make sure exterior faucets are shut off and that exposed pipes in crawl spaces, attics and garages are insulated. Clean the gutters, look over the roof for loose or missing shingles, and seal gaps around windows and doors to keep out cold air and moisture. Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and confirm your rental home is covered by the right insurance policy. Vacant units need extra attention: keep the heat on at a safe temperature and have someone inspect the property regularly, because an empty house is where a frozen pipe goes unnoticed the longest.

How Home Forward can help

You don't have to do the owner's list yourself. As a Lexington, Kentucky property management company, Home Forward cleans gutters for $125 and performs an HVAC inspection, tune-up and filter change for $95. We can also wrap any pipes that are susceptible to freezing in low-voltage heat tape, priced by quote once we see the property. For the Central Kentucky rental homes we manage, we also remind residents about filters and shutoffs, and our 24/7 emergency line is there when something goes wrong after hours. Call us to schedule your winter prep before the first hard freeze arrives.