Posted by Kansas City winters have a way of sneaking up on us. One week it is sweater weather, and the next you are scraping ice off the windshield before sunrise. A little preparation now can keep your home warm, lower your utility bills, and help you avoid the frozen pipes, drafty rooms, and surprise repairs that tend to show up during the first hard freeze.
Whether you rent a home through Home Rental Services or simply want a solid winter game plan, this checklist covers the ten things worth doing before the cold really settles in.
Current Home Rental Services renters: if anything on this list needs a repair or a professional, open a work order through Property Meld. The sooner we hear about it, the sooner we can take care of it, ideally before the busy season for heating and plumbing calls.
1. Get Your Heating System Ready
Your furnace is about to become the hardest working appliance in the house. Give it a head start.
- Replace your furnace filter if you haven’t done so in a few months. Most filters need changing more often during the winter months, and even more if you have pets or allergies.
(Thin 1-inch filters usually need replacing every 1 to 3 months. Thicker 4 to 5-inch media filters typically last 6 to 12 months.) - Buy a few filters at once so you always have a spare on hand. Write the size down or snap a photo of the old filter before heading to the store.
- Clear at least three feet of space around the furnace and water heater. Remove boxes, cleaning supplies, paint, and anything else that could catch fire.
- Turn the heat on for a test run before the first cold night. A little dusty smell is normal at first; strange noises, short cycling, or no warm air are not.
Renter tip: If your heat is not working properly, submit a work order in Property Meld. If you ever smell gas, leave the home right away and call your gas company from outside.
2. Seal Up Drafts Around Doors and Windows
Small gaps can let a surprising amount of warm air escape, and your heating bill pays for every bit of it.
- Hold your hand near door and window edges on a windy day. If you feel cold air, it is time for new weatherstripping or a door sweep.
- Close and lock all windows. Locking pulls the sashes tighter together for a better seal.
- Use draft stoppers at the bottom of exterior doors.
- Keep curtains open on sunny days to let natural heat in, then close them at night to hold it.
- If your home has basement window wells, clear out leaves and consider clear plastic covers to keep out snow and debris.
3. Check Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, roof leaks, and water pooling against your foundation once snow starts melting.
- From the ground, look for leaves, sticks, or sagging sections along your gutters.
- Make sure every downspout has a splash block or extension that carries water at least a few feet away from the house.
- After a heavy rain, walk the property and watch for overflowing gutters or water collecting near the foundation.
Renter tip: Please do not climb ladders or get on the roof. If you spot debris or damage, let us know with a work order and we will handle it.
4. Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
A frozen pipe can burst and cause serious water damage in a matter of hours. A few simple steps go a long way.
- Disconnect, drain, and store all garden hoses. A hose left attached can trap water and freeze the faucet and the pipe behind it.
- Add insulated covers to outdoor faucets. They cost just a few dollars at any hardware store.
- Find your main water shutoff valve now, so you are not searching for it during an emergency.
- On extremely cold nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving.
- Never turn your heat completely off. If you travel, keep the thermostat set to at least 65 degrees.
Renter tip: If a faucet produces only a trickle in freezing weather, a pipe may be frozen. Call us right away, and if a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve first.
5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Home fires and carbon monoxide incidents rise during winter as furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters get more use.
- Press the test button on every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the home.
- Replace batteries when Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1. It is an easy date to remember.
- Make sure there is a carbon monoxide detector on each level of the home and near sleeping areas.
- Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it. Check that the gauge is in the green.
Renter tip: If a detector is missing, chirps after a new battery, or does not respond to testing, submit a work order so it can be replaced.
6. Use Fireplaces Safely
If your home has a fireplace, check your lease and confirm it is approved for use before lighting a fire.
7. Get Your Snow and Ice Gear in Order
The first snowfall always seems to arrive the day you realize the shovel is broken.
- Check your snow shovel, ice scraper, and broom, and replace anything cracked or worn out.
- Stock up on ice melt before the first storm, when store shelves are still full. If you have pets, choose a pet safe formula.
- Run the last tank of gas out of your lawn mower or add fuel stabilizer before storing it for the season.
- If you own a snow blower, give it a tune up and a test start now.
8. Prepare the Yard and Exterior
A quick walk around the outside of your home can prevent bigger problems later.
- Rake leaves and debris away from the foundation, which helps with drainage and discourages pests.
- Bring in or cover patio furniture, grills, and decorations that could blow around or be damaged by snow.
- Move potted plants indoors or into a sheltered spot.
- Look for gaps where mice or other small animals could get inside, especially around pipes, vents, and crawlspace openings.
- Watch for tree branches hanging over the roof or near power lines, since ice and snow can bring them down.
9. Build a Winter Emergency Kit
Ice storms can knock out power for hours or even days. Pack a kit now and store it somewhere easy to reach.
- Flashlights and extra batteries (skip candles if you can, since they are a fire risk).
- Charged power banks for your phone.
- Bottled water, nonperishable food, and a manual can opener for at least three days.
- Blankets, warm layers, a first aid kit, and any prescription medications.
- Food, water, and supplies for your pets.
- A written list of important phone numbers, including your utility companies.
Many utility providers offer text or email outage alerts. Sign up now so you get updates even when the power is out.
10. Winterize Your Car
Getting stranded in the cold is no fun. A little prep keeps you safely on the road.
- Check tire tread and pressure. Cold weather lowers tire pressure, so check it more often during winter.
- Replace worn windshield wipers and fill up with winter washer fluid.
- Make sure your heater and defroster are working properly.
- Have your battery tested, since cold temperatures are tough on older batteries.
- Keep an ice scraper, blanket, phone charger, flashlight, and small bag of sand or kitty litter in the car for traction.
- Try to keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the winter.
Stay Warm and Let Us Help
Working through this checklist now can save you money, stress, and a few chilly nights later in the season. You do not have to tackle everything in a single weekend; just pick a few items at a time and you will be ready before the first big storm.
If you are a Home Rental Services renter and notice anything that needs attention, like a furnace that is not keeping up, open a work order through Property Meld. Our team is here to help you stay safe, warm, and comfortable all winter long.
