Dear Tenants,
It’s
that time of year again that we all need to start preparing for the cold winter
season. Here are a few helpful tips on how to ease into the winter months:
1.
Stock up on
ice melt and invest in a snow shovel. Winter seasons on the PNW can be
unpredictable, so it’s always best to ensure that you’re prepared for the
potential ice and snow that we saw last year! Ice melt and snow shovels sell
out quickly when the snow has already arrived, which could leave you in a bind.
2.
Check all
furnaces: make sure you’ve changed your filters, the furnace is clean and in
working order. For electric heaters, make sure that all are functioning.
3.
Please
keep an eye out for blocked gutters. If it is raining and there is no water
coming out of the gutter drain, there is likely a clog in the gutters. If you
cannot unclog the gutter yourself, be sure to notify the management company as
soon as possible.
4.
Make sure to
regularly clean out your leaf traps (if applicable) on your gutters. This is a
really easy way to ensure that your gutters don’t overflow in the rainy season.
5.
Walk the
exterior of your property and make sure that any vents to the exterior are
closed or insulated. Make sure to also disconnect exterior hoses, insulating
the faucets with newspaper, foam covers or hose bibs.
6.
Test your
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors by pressing the “test” button to make sure
they are in working order.
7.
Over the
winter, be sure to keep your heat on to a minimum of 55 degrees to prevent
pipes from freezing. If temperatures drop below freezing, keep kitchen and
bathroom cabinets open.
8.
Keep the air
inside circulating (keep closet doors open as necessary, etc.), avoiding
putting things against exterior walls to prevent mold.
9.
We recommend
that in the wet PNW winters, you wipe down window sills regularly to prevent
potential moisture buildup.
10. If you’re planning to be gone for an extended period of time,
please let your landlord know and prepare your home for cold weather
situations.
If
you’re ever in doubt, you can always contact our office at 503-350-1200. If you
find any maintenance issues during your winterization, please send an email to
our maintenance coordinators at apmaintenance@frontier.com.
We
hope that you have a happy and warm holiday season!
Sincerely,
The
Alliance Properties Team
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