The Winter of 2020 is coming quicker than we may have suspected, but in Iowa, anything is possible. With the colder temps, harsh winds, and the sudden arrival of snow yesterday, we want you to be prepared. Crank those heaters up! Maybe don’t crank them up too high quite yet, but we do encourage you to test your heaters inside your suite now that the temperatures sit in the 40’s throughout the week. Some properties also have baseboard heaters located in the garage and entry. These would be a great resource to reduce any frost buildup on the exterior of your suite. What else should residents be aware of? The Q4 Real Estate team is happy to provide multiple tips from our expert experience and from additional sources.
Any given day, we could experience sub-zero temperatures or an avalanche of snow here in the Corridor, so some helpful options are suggested to ensure your comfort 24/7. Something very simple that provides natural heat would be to open your curtains throughout your space during the day when the sun is shining to warm your suite while hanging thermal curtains at night to hold heat in. Another helpful tip is to leave your bathroom door open when showering as this releases warm air into the rest of your suite.
If you lived in the area two winters ago, one bone-chilling day had wind-chills near -40 degrees Fahrenheit. This made it very, very challenging for individuals to even start their vehicles let alone heat their homes. If a forecast like this appears, consider setting your faucets to a drip in advance to increase a more constant flow in pipes, preventing freezing. If pipes freeze at any residence, this can create a recipe for a disaster.
Prepare for drafts, and no we are not talking about your NFL fantasy football draft. Even if a property has energy efficient finishes such as windows, drafts can sneak in through tiny openings. Draft stoppers can be found in-store or online and do amazing work to keep the cold air out. There are also window film kits that you may apply but review your leasing agreement prior to ensure adhesives are permitted.
Some residents may keep space heaters on standby in case of a no heat situation. Be sure to check with your property management group first as this poses a potential hazard and often, management firms have these ready to disperse already. At the end of the day, we want all residents in the Corridor to be cozy, comfortable, and safe each winter as the weather can be quite chaotic. In addition, our staff will also have common area snow removal ready to go in those early mornings where snow has built up, making your navigation around each property seamless. Should you have any questions about other helpful information, feel free to reach out to our experts here at Q4 Real Estate. We are also happy to share this article from Ellicott Development. Until next time!
*photo courtesy of breedlovedobbs.com*
