Colorado gets cold. Sometimes really cold. As we navigate the ups and downs throughout this winter season, it’s important to address one of the biggest headaches involved in Fort Collins property management: frozen pipes. Not only are frozen pipes a huge inconvenience for landlords and tenants, but they’re costly to repair and a situation that needs to be resolved quickly to prevent further damage. So, what should a Fort Collins rental property owner do when winter strikes and pipes freeze? Here’s your comprehensive guide on how to help prevent, handle, and resolve frozen pipes at your Fort Collins rental.
Everything You Need to Know About Frozen Pipes at Your Fort Collins Rental
1. Preventative Measures Are Key
First things first: prevention is the best way to avoid pipes freezing at your rental. There are preventative tips that both landlords and tenants can focus on. Staying proactive helps reduce the risk of winter weather damage, including frozen pipes. These include staying on top of the weather forecast. When you notice a major drop in temps ahead, do what you can to be prepared.
For rental property owners, complete routine maintenance and preventative steps by properly insulating pipes, ensuring all doors and windows are properly sealed against drafts, and make sure your HVAC system is up to the task of keeping the property warm. Routine servicing and inspections can help catch problems before they arise, so take advantage of the proactive approach.
For tenants, keep the heat above 68 degrees, even when away from home. This helps ensure a steady supply of warm air. Keep vents clear, doors and windows closed, and make sure faucets are covered or the water is turned off to the exterior of the home. For those sub-freezing days, consider dripping faucets with warm water and keep cabinets open to let warm air flow through to the pipes located behind the walls.
2. Educating & Setting Expectations from the Start
Since the tenants are the ones living in the property day to day, it’s important to ensure they’re aware of what their expectations are. This starts with the lease. Make sure your lease agreement properly documents what tenants can and can’t do when it comes to maintenance, as well as what they need to do when repairs are needed. Other tips include sending out winter-preparedness notices when freezing weather is inbound. These can be helpful reminders for tenants as well as a quick way to inform them of what to do in the event of an emergency. Make sure they’re also aware of key water shut-off locations and how to work the thermostat. This helps to prevent potential damage in the event pipes do freeze.
3. When Pipes Do Freeze/Burst
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, sometimes pipes still freeze at your Fort Collins rental property. In the event a freeze does occur, it’s important to take action immediately to prevent further damage to the property. When the call or notification comes in, respond quickly and act accordingly. Assess the situation. Are the pipes accessible or will a professional be needed to assist? Make sure your tenant is aware of the dos and don’ts when trying to thaw the pipe. Do not, under any circumstance, use an open flame to try and thaw the pipe. This is dangerous and causes significant damage. Make sure to keep the affected faucet open to allow water to flow once the ice begins melting. Then make sure to call a plumber to ensure repairs are properly handled. After all, water damage is serious.
If the pipe bursts, make sure to turn off the water to mitigate water damage. Have tenants do what they can to clean up any water, using buckets or towels, and contain the damage as best they can. Call a plumber immediately to address the repair, and keep tenants up to date through proper communication on the timeline for the repair. Act quickly, work efficiently and resolve the emergency promptly. This not only helps ensure the tenant’s safety but also helps mitigate further damage to your rental property.
4. Contact Your Insurance
Some insurance policies cover damage caused by frozen or burst pipes. Review your policy and contact your insurance agent to determine your coverage. Keep proper documentation, including records of communication with vendors and tenants, repairs, and invoices. This can help should any potential disputes arise.
Burst or frozen pipes at your Fort Collins rental are inconvenient for everyone involved. That being said, it’s important to understand key preventative tips as well as how to respond in the event something does happen. Preventative measures and swift action all help to minimize the risk of damage and ensure a smooth winter season for everyone.
And if you’re looking for a Fort Collins property manager to handle all of this for you, we’ve got a solution. Contact us today about our property management services.
