Hello! As we head into the colder months, here are a few important reminders to help keep your home safe, comfortable, and running smoothly this winter:

 🥶 Thermostat Settings

Your lease requires that thermostats be kept at a minimum of 60°F at all times.

If you’ll be out of town during extremely cold weather, please notify us to discuss how to best care for your home in your absence.

💧 Protecting Outdoor & Indoor Plumbing
NOTE: Failure to perform these maintenance items that result in frozen or burst pipes could fall under your financial responsibility as a tenant to repair, so please ensure that you do these things. Frozen / burst pipes are not fun for anyone!
---------

1. To keep outdoor plumbing fixtures from freezing:

   • Shut off the water to your outdoor/exterior faucets - If you are unsure where this is or how to do so, contact us.

   • Disconnect any garden hoses and open the outside spigot/exterior valve to let any remaining water drain out. 

   • We advise leaving the outside spigot open and the interior water shutoff valve to any outside spigots shut off for the duration of winter.
     
     

2. For indoor faucets located on exterior walls, allow a slow drip during severe cold (when temperatures are expected to drop to 25°F / -4°C or lower, especially overnight) to prevent freezing. 

   • For maximum effectiveness, make sure both the hot and cold lines are opened slightly since both are vulnerable.

   • Open nearby cabinet doors that are on exterior walls to let warm air circulate around pipes.
     
     

3. Ensure that your main water shut-off valve is easily accessible. 

   • If not, rearrange any storage so it can be reached quickly in case of emergency. 

   • Should a water line ever freeze and burst, you will need to shut off the home's water supply immediately. 

   • If you need to shut off the water main: turn the valve handle fully clockwise or flip the lever perpendicular to the pipe.

   • If the valve is rusted open or only closes partially, let us know as soon as possible.

🔥 Heating System Maintenance & Emergencies

Your lease requires you to change your furnace filter every 8–12 weeks. For best performance, change it every 4 weeks during high-use months.

• A clogged filter is the #1 cause of furnace failure, and tenants are responsible for repair costs if caused by neglect.

• Make sure your thermostat has fresh batteries and keep some on hand to prevent heat loss during outages.

---------
➡️ If you experience a no-heat emergency, please follow these steps before contacting management:

1. Replace the furnace filter with a clean one.
   
   

2. Replace the thermostat batteries.
   
   

3. Check and reset the furnace breaker in your electrical panel.
   
   

4. If the issue persists, please fill out a maintenance request in your Appfolio portal. In extreme scenarios, call the emergency line at 724-733-7100 x1.
   
   

⚠️ Never use ovens, gas stovetops, charcoal grills, or propane heaters indoors for heat.
These pose extreme fire and carbon monoxide risks.

❄️ Snow & Ice Removal

Please review your lease to confirm whether snow removal is your responsibility, which must be completed within 24 hours of snowfall if so.

• Please shovel and salt all walkways, steps, and driveways as required by your lease.
  
  

• Use pet-safe ice melt whenever possible.
  
  

• Address icy areas immediately to prevent slips and falls.
  
  

🔋 General Safety & Property Care

• Smoke & CO Detectors: Test regularly and replace batteries as needed.
  
  

• Draft Prevention: Check for drafts around doors and windows. Open blinds during the day to let sunlight in, and close them at night to keep the warmth in.
  
  

• Access: Keep the areas around your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel clear for easy access in case of service or emergency.

Thank you for taking care of your home this winter and helping to prevent avoidable maintenance issues. Please reach out if you have any questions or need clarification on any of the above. We're here to help.

Have a lovely winter season! 

Warm regards & well wishes to you,
Nina & Ryan