The summers may be getting hotter, but the winter and early spring seasons still bring icy cold temperatures. Apartment owners need to make the necessary preparations to protect their properties before the freezing temperatures arrive. Otherwise, it could result in property damage and personal injuries.
It was not too long ago that Texas experienced freezing temperatures that shut down the power grid and caused numerous power generators to fail. Since Texas typically has warmer temperatures, the state’s government officials and property owners were unprepared to handle brutally cold temperatures. The result led to not only injuries but deaths as well.
Do you want to know the best ways to prepare your apartment building for upcoming freezing temperatures? Here are the seven best methods below:
1) Empty the Swimming Pool
Drain all the water out of the community swimming pool to prevent it from turning into ice. Make sure you also drain out the pool’s water-circulating equipment to ensure no water gets frozen inside of it. If there is any outdoor furniture around the pool, take it inside and store it in a safe location.
2) Trim the Trees
Trim all the tree branches and limbs hanging dangerously close to your apartment building to avoid any future accidents. It is easier to do the trimming now than in the colder months.
3) Inspect and Clean the Gutters
Clean out all the debris from your building’s gutters and drainage spouts to ensure they are clear. It will prevent ice cycles and falling ice patches.
4) Inspect and Clean the Air Ducts
It would be a shame to have something clogging your apartment’s air ducts when residents need heat the most. Clean the air ducts and filters to maximize the heated airflow throughout your apartment building.
5) Inspect and Service the Boilers and Heating Units
Hire a heating professional to perform an inspection and maintenance service on your apartment building’s boilers and heating units. Make sure they are fully functional before the winter comes to prevent any heating problems when the freezing temperatures arrive.
6) Inspect and Service the Insulation
Does your apartment building have high-quality insulation? You may want to inspect it to ensure no heated air can escape in the wintertime. If you find poor-quality insulation material with signs of deterioration, replace it with new insulation material.
7) Communicate with Residents
Send an email newsletter with preparatory tips to your residents. Let them know what they can do to help prepare for freezing temperatures, such as keeping the thermostat higher than 55, opening their kitchen cabinets to circulate more air, and dripping their faucets.
Wrapping Up: Preparing Your Apartment Property for Freezing Temperatures
Don’t start making preparations at the last minute because it might be too late. Try to give yourself at least a couple of months to prepare for the freezing winter temperatures. Assume that it could get cold anytime between November and April, so you should start the preparations around the end of summer. Contact us to learn more about our winterization services for multi-family properties: cfaber@peakrenovate.com
