Here in the Pacific Northwest, our stunning natural beauty, lush landscapes, and captivating gardens are all thanks to our region’s rainy winters. But while we have our region’s rainfall to thank for our vibrant ecosystem and vibrant greenery, the winter rains can cause some significant challenges for property managers. From late fall to early spring, landlords must take steps to protect their properties from the potential hazards of our seasonal rains. By following a few simple seasonal maintenance steps, Portland property managers can settle in for our rainy season without worrying about how their property will hold up by spring.
Get Ready For Rain
As the days are getting cooler, now is the best time to consider whether you’re adequately prepared for the Pacific Northwest rainy season. Here are a few maintenance tasks to get you started as we settle in for another rainy winter.
Complete Your Safety Walkthrough
Making sure your property is safe for tenants and guests is a top priority for Portland property managers. At the beginning of the rainy season, consider scheduling a safety walkthrough to keep an eye out for potential hazards on your property. Installing slip-resistant mats and handrails is a great idea in high-traffic areas such as stairwells and entrances. As our days get shorter, exterior lighting can also provide many safety benefits during dark, rainy evenings. Remember, if a person is injured on your property, you may be found negligent for not addressing those safety concerns soon enough.
Tackle Roof Maintenance Early
As the rains come down all winter, having a sturdy, watertight roof on your property is one of the most important considerations. But because dealing with roof maintenance during the rainy season can be challenging, the best time to make sure your roof is healthy is when the weather is still relatively dry. Trim any trees that overhang your roof, remove moss and debris from the rooftop and gutters, and inspect your joints, seals, and insulation for leaks or damage. For more information, check out our complete roof care guide to ensure you’re correctly inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining your roof.
HVAC Maintenance
Before your tenants start using their heaters again, you should ensure that you’ve completed any routine maintenance on your HVAC systems. This helps reduce the risk of fire, dust, and other problems throughout the winter. It can also help keep heating solutions running smoothly for years to come.
Take Care with Fire Safety
Rain isn’t the only concern during the colder months. As tenants start up their heaters again and spend more time cooking hot food, the risk of fire damage continues to increase. This means that ensuring your rental is up to fire code should always be on your list of winter maintenance tasks. If you manage an apartment building with multiple units, ensure a fire evacuation route is posted where tenants can see it. You should also make sure that your unit has an adequate number of fire extinguishers based on its size.
Check Seals
In addition to water, it’s also wise to ensure that your windows and doors are adequately sealed against the colder weather. This is helpful if you’re trying to run an eco-conscious rental, and can save you or your tenants money on heating costs.
Be Mindful of Drainage
While inspecting your property for the winter, pay special mind to your property’s drainage. Evaluate your drainage systems, such as downspouts and gutters. Proper grading and gravel or mulch can help with rain absorption and prevent damage to your rental’s foundation from standing water.
Work with Tenants
As a property manager, the duty of keeping your property maintained falls to you. However, by educating your tenants about the importance of promptly reporting leaks and other repair issues, you can work together to ensure that maintenance issues don’t go unnoticed for so long they require serious repairs. Consider sending out a seasonal newsletter about any problems you want tenants to look for, and encourage them to come forward if they have any concerns about the property.
Budgeting for Seasonal Maintenance
From our hot summers to rainy winters, properties in the Pacific Northwest can require regular seasonal maintenance. That means that property managers in our area need a well-thought-out budget to avoid unexpected costs. When creating your budget, consider allocating some funds for upgrades to your property to keep your property resilient in the face of heavy rainfall. Because our rainy winters are a longstanding feature of the Pacific Northwest, these investments are essential to preserving the long-term value of your maintenance property.
Never Miss Maintenance Again
For all that we owe our rainy season, it can still be a challenging time for property managers. But with proper planning and maintenance, our wet winters can be an opportunity to enhance the value and longevity of your rental property. From roof care to safety measures, property managers have a vast number of options available to keep their property in the best condition from fall until spring.
However, on top of the other daily concerns that a property manager faces, dealing with recurring seasonal maintenance can add additional stress. If the constant rainy weather in our winter season is giving you a headache, you may want to consider working with a Portland property management company to ensure that your seasonal maintenance goals are met without a hitch.
Rent Portland Homes by Darla Andrew has years of experience in the Portland area, so we’ve seen our fair share of rainy winters come and go. We know the drill when it comes to weather-proofing your Portland rental for the gray months to come, and can help ensure that no detail is missed regarding your maintenance routine. When you work with us, you can feel comfortable and confident that your property is in the best possible hands every season. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your Portland rental achieve its maximum capabilities, call or text us at (503) 515-3170 or through our website for more information.