All Forum Posts by: Steve S.
Steve S. has started 294 posts and replied 637 times.
Post: How much benefit is provided by covering external faucets?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Originally posted by @Mike Freeman:
If you or your tenants have an adaptor on the outdoor faucet to allow two hose connections, you might want to check. If the valves to the two adapter hose connections were closed before turning off the water, there is water in the adapter that will freeze and your outdoor faucet will crack due to the freeze, once is thaws, you have a flood. I always put the freeze protection on the outdoor faucet, to make sure there is no hose adapters on the faucet , and just for prevention.
Thank you for the idea.
Post: How much benefit is provided by covering external faucets?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Originally posted by @Wesley W.:
If it's not getting much below freezing, I wouldn't worry about it. Here in Upstate NY, I don't know anyone who uses them, nor anyone that had a consequence for not.
On my primary residence I've had the faucet valves fatigue after repeated deep freezes (sub-zero F) and develop a drip. I installed a ball valve on the faucet supply line just inside the wall in the basement. I turn the water off there for the winter, then open up the faucet outside briefly to let some water drain out and air in, which will allow the exterior part of the line to accomodate any ice without breaking.
As an aside, I also do this on all my rental properties as well. But for a different reason; I pay for the water, and my lease prohibits the use of exterior water at the properties, so I keep the valve off in the basement unless I need it for maintenance/repair.
TLDR: I think you are fine.
Thanks for the thoughts and the background. Looks like in the next two days, we may see a low of 19. I may risk it or head out tomorrow to take care of it. Not convinced it really helps much for this type of situation though.
Post: How much benefit is provided by covering external faucets?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Here in north texas, it's not expected to get much below freezing in the next couple of days and am contemplating heading out to a couple of rentals and covering the faucets with those styrofoam type covers. Would take probably 2 hours to get it all taken care of (including drive time).
Is it worth it?
Post: Do you send your tenants a Christmas card?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
I'm considering it this year and maybe a $5 Starbucks gift card for half a coffee on me
Post: How do you handle cash payments (lawn, etc) and taxes?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Thanks. Does not issuing one affect how much I can expense?
Post: Do you send your tenants a Christmas card?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
What do you typically do?
Post: How do you handle cash payments (lawn, etc) and taxes?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
If a neighborhood kid mows your lawn do you 1099 them? What's the impact of not sending the 1099? Do you lost the payments on your expenses?
Post: Tenant says oven only putting out 250 deg heat
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Thanks for all the feedback. Here's a video I'm using for this model to try to diagnose it myself
Model lgef3045kfh
Post: Tenant says oven only putting out 250 deg heat
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Any suggestions on how to most cost effectively address this issue on an electric stove that's maybe 10 years old, if that?
Post: When renewing a lease, do you have tenant pay pet deposit again?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Tenant paid the pet deposit when they moved in a year ago and would like to renew the release. Do you typically have them pay a pet deposit again upon renewal?