VACATION RENTAL TIPS:
5 EASY TIPS TO WINTERIZE YOUR VACATION RENTAL HOME
J&J Hospitality Team
November 28, 2022
Is your vacation rental ready for the cold weather?
The cold months of winter can bring unexpected repairs and problems. For all of your winter guests, it’s also crucial to make your vacation rental home cozy and comfy. As vacation rental experts, we understand the importance of maintaining a home regardless of the season, so we’ve compiled a few tips to help you keep your vacation rental property in perfect condition during the winter months. Winterizing a home can be a complex task in itself. But it doesn’t have to be!
In this blog, we will break down the simple process of preparing your rental when you know guests will be showing up anytime soon!
1. Shut off exterior water
If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are common during the winter, it’s important to turn off the water supply to your vacation home. This will prevent any pipes from bursting or being damaged by freezing temperatures. You can shut off exterior water by turning off the main valve on your property and draining any remaining water from outdoor faucets.
If you’re not going to shut off the water supply, you should leave some water running through the pipes. Turn on the fixtures closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, like an upstairs bathroom, so there’s a steady trickle. The water needs to be constantly flowing to avoid a problem.
2. Get your plumbing inspected
If you haven’t had your plumbing inspected recently, it’s a good idea to get one before guests arrive. As a vacation rental manager, it is important to check if there are leaks or other issues that need to be fixed before you have the house full of people. If we do discover problems during our inspection in our properties, we need to contact a plumber right away so they can come fix them before guests arrive.
Check the water heater if you have a gas-powered water heater, make sure that it’s still working. If not, consider getting a new one before guests arrive so you don’t end up without any hot water during their stay.
3. Inspect the roof and gutters
While your home is vacant, you can easily inspect the roof and gutters for any problems. This will help you prepare for future maintenance projects that need to be done on a regular basis. If you don’t have time to do this, consider hiring a professional to inspect the roof and gutters for you. They will be able to provide you with an up-to-date report on the condition of your home’s exterior.
Clear Gutters of Debris – To winterize your gutters, be sure to clear away any debris to make sure that there are no clogs before the first snowstorm arrives to ensure that snow and ice melt will drain properly
Use a Heat Cable – Most roofing contractors recommend that you winterize your gutters by installing a heat cable to prevent ice build-up. A heat cable specifically made for roofing and gutters helps melt snow and ice to allow for proper drainage and prevent ice dams.
4.Weatherize your windows
There are many things you can do to weatherize your windows to make sure that they’re ready for the winter. We recommend the following tips:
Clean exterior windows and screens
If there is any noticeable dirt, mildew or algae on your windowpanes or screens, be sure to clean it off before it hardens in the cold temperatures of winter.
If you don’t have any window cleaners on hand, you can use a solution of vinegar and water. This is a great way to get rid of mildew without using harsh chemicals.
5. Prepare your Ultimate Winter Checklist
The state of a rental property has always been an important factor of how guests rate their experience. Despite its significance, cleaning is still the aspect of vacation rental management that 44% of hosts find to be the most difficult. A cleaning checklist offers a logical way to clean your rental home and will make the job simpler, quicker and more thorough. To winterize your home and prep for cold-weather guests, you’ll want to task your cleaning or maintenance team with the essential to-dos. At J&J, we have seasonal cleaning tasks prepared for all of our properties.
Wood-burning fireplace flues should be cleaned of soot and residue buildup
Clean all of the thick comforters and blankets need for cold nights.
Ensure that gas fireplaces are clean so that the coupler and ignition switch function effectively.
"Winter made Simple with J&J Hospitality"
The best way to ensure your home is up and running this season is to list with local professionals who make it their life’s work to take care of your vacation rental. At J&J Hospitality, we ensure to provide assistance and service 24/7. Vacation rental property management can be a lot to handle and that is why we are from start to finish, our full-service team is here to do the hard work for you. Rest assured your home gets the care and attention it deserves, so you can rest easy this season and every season to come!
