As a landlord in Dallas, Texas, keeping up with rental property maintenance isn’t just about keeping everything looking good. Instead, it’s essential for protecting the value of your investment property and making sure it’s a safe and comfortable place for tenants. With the unpredictable weather in Texas, though, taking care of your investment property can be tricky. From hailstorms to floods and extreme heat, the weather can seriously affect the condition of your investment property, from the HVAC systems to the structure itself. These damages can drive up your average maintenance expenses and CapX expenditures if you’re not prepared. 

To avoid costly problems, it’s important to stick to an annual maintenance schedule. Staying on top of property maintenance can save you a ton of money and headaches in the long run. Besides, when your investment property is well-maintained, tenants are more likely to stay longer, and you can attract higher-quality renters. Curious about how to get your Dallas investment property ready for the wild Texas weather? Keep reading to find out.

Prepare for Roof Repairs or Replacement

In Texas, roofs often take the hardest hits from the weather, particularly during hailstorms. Dallas ranks among the top U.S. cities for hail damage, with frequent storms damaging roofs and causing costly repairs. In April of 2021, hailstones up to 6.40 inches in size hit—impressive, considering the National Weather Service’s hail scale stops at five.

Hail can damage a roof so badly that it needs to be completely replaced. This is one of the most expensive CapX expenditures you could face as a Dallas landlord. The average cost of replacing a 2,000-square-foot roof in Texas is $7,500, but it could be much higher depending on the type, shape, and slope. While homeowners insurance may cover some of the expenses, this isn’t guaranteed. Coverage often depends on the specifics of the damage and the type of policy you hold. 

To avoid these expenses, make sure roof inspections are part of your rental property maintenance routine. Inspect the roof regularly, especially after storms, by searching for loose or missing shingles, leaks, or any signs of damage. Catching these issues early on can save you from having to pay for a full roof replacement. Remember, adding durable materials like impact-resistant shingles may be more expensive upfront, but they’re worth it in the long run. This kind of property maintenance helps you save on average maintenance expenses and keeps your investment property in good shape. 

Invest in High-Quality HVAC Equipment

Texas weather is no stranger to extremes. In the years since 1980, there have been 187 weather disasters in the state with losses totaling over $1 billion. Included in these events are floods, freezes, droughts, severe thunderstorms, cyclones, wildfires, and extreme winter storms. In February of 2021, winter storm Uri caused widespread power outages in Dallas, leaving many without heat during freezing temperatures. HVAC systems must be able to keep up with these fluctuations to keep tenants safe, making them one of the most important things to maintain in your investment property. 

Investing in a high-quality HVAC system is smart, especially for long-term rental property maintenance. These systems can handle the extreme Texas weather and help reduce CapX expenditures over time. As part of your annual maintenance schedule, you’ll want to have your HVAC system inspected at least once a year. This can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns, which could lead to expensive repairs or replacements. 

Another smart investment is adding a backup generator to your Dallas investment property. That way, if a bad storm hits and there’s a power outage, the generator will keep your HVAC running. This can prevent your tenants from being left without heat or air conditioning.

Protect Your Investment Property from Flooding

Flooding is another major concern in Texas. In fact, it’s the number one natural disaster in the state, and especially in Dallas, where heavy rains can cause flash floods. In 2015, Dallas experienced historic flooding, with over 16 inches of rain in the month of May alone. Even if your investment property isn’t in a flood zone, you should still take steps to protect it from water damage. Flooding can lead to expensive repairs and even make the investment property unfit for living. 

To protect your investment property, consider installing drainage systems like French drains or culverts. These systems help move water away from the foundation of your property, preventing it from seeping inside. Regularly cleaning gutters and downspouts is another important task to add to your annual maintenance schedule. This simple property maintenance step can help prevent costly water damage.

Inside the investment property, having a sump pump in the basement or crawl space is also a must. This will help remove any water that gets inside, lowering the risk of water damage and mold. Being prepared for floods through these rental property maintenance steps can save you thousands in average maintenance expenses and keep your tenants healthy and safe.

Consider Investing in a Backup Generator

A backup generator is one of the smartest investments you can make for your Dallas investment property. With Texas storms often causing power outages, a generator ensures your rental’s most important systems (like heating, cooling, and water) will continue to run. It can also prevent serious damage during winter storms, as it keeps your heat running and prevents pipes from freezing and bursting. Bursting pipes can lead to significant CapX expenditures, as water damage often costs thousands of dollars to fix. 

Including a generator in your rental property maintenance plan protects your investment property and keeps tenants safe and comfortable. While adding a generator will require an upfront investment, it will save you money by preventing larger repair costs down the road. Remember to buy yours before you need it, though, as they tend to sell out in Dallas whenever there’s a major storm.

Secure Your Property & Your Income

Managing an investment property in Dallas, Texas comes with its challenges, particularly when dealing with unpredictable weather. These extreme conditions can lead to costly CapX expenditures if not properly addressed. While these expenses may seem high, the cost of not addressing them could be far worse. In Texas, if your investment property ever becomes inhabitable due to weather-related damage, tenants could legally break their lease, resulting in lost revenue.  Regular rental property maintenance is the key to avoiding costly repairs and keeping your investment property in top condition. 

Constantly stressing over protecting your investment property or losing tenants due to maintenance issues is exhausting. Let Evernest take that weight off your shoulders by handling all your property maintenance and property management needs. With us, you can relax knowing your Dallas rental is always being cared for and your passive income is on its way.