BiggerPockets

Welcome to the frozen tundra known as DFW area. Home of Superbowl 45.

We don't get many winters like this around here. Last month I went around to all my rentals and checked on all pipes, insulation, and exterior spigots. I talked to all of the tenants about leaving the faucets dripping during freezing weather to prevent frozen pipes.

So I get 2 calls today about frozen pipes. Both tenants said they didn't know to keep the faucets on. I told them both to open the faucets and get a hairdryer and try it on all the pipes they can get to. I guess we won't know how bad it is until Saturday.

I guess next year I need to call each one the day of the freeze so they will wake up.

We finally thawed out yesterday. One rental came out OK. The tenants hauled water from their neighbors and stayed in the house. The pipes appear to be OK.

The other rental is a disaster. The tenants left the house due to no water(understandable) but they turned the heat off(arghhh). We are having to replace split pipes all over the unit, even the kitchen faucet cracked. I've never seen freezing damage this bad.

We should have everything repaired today. Tenant will receive the bill.

I hope all of the other DFW landlords are doing OK.

My lease says that tenants must keep the unit at a min of 60. Does your lease say anything about that? If it does not it will be hard to charge them.

Pipes were insulated. Damage was inside and outside. We don't usually have 15 degree days so, no, I do not have a minimum temperature now, but I will this week.

Tenant was told orally and in writing to leave water dripping and open cabinets before freeze. Tenant did not do either. Damage was tenant neglect.

Lessons learned, thanks guys.