Huntsville Rental Plumbing Checklist

Huntsville's growth has brought a lot of new residents, many renting while they settle in near Redstone Arsenal or Research Park. New tenants don't know a house's quirks yet, so a short list of what to report helps catch problems early. Share this with every new lease.

Report within a few days

• Toilets that refill on their own or run after flushing
• Sinks or tubs that take a long time to empty
• Showers that turn lukewarm halfway through
• Cabinet floors that feel damp or swollen
• Higher water use on the bill than last month

Report right away

• Water spreading across a floor or coming through a ceiling
• A split pipe after a hard freeze
• Wastewater rising in a shower or tub
• A puddle or steady drip under the water heater
• The smell of gas (get out first, then call the gas company from outside)

Before a cold front

1. Take hoses off outside spigots and put covers on
2. Prop open sink cabinets on exterior walls
3. Leave a thin drip running on frigid nights
4. Learn where the main valve is; see finding your main water shut-off

Rural rentals

Homes on septic need care with what goes down the drain. No wipes, grease or chemicals. More: septic systems outside Huntsville.

For property managers

Huntsville's mix of brand-new subdivisions and older neighborhoods means rentals range from homes still under builder warranty to houses with decades-old pipes. Tenants who report small issues help landlords catch warranty items before coverage ends.

Many rentals in the area are close to Redstone Arsenal and Research Park, where tenants move often. A quick walk-through with each new tenant shows them the shut-off and the water heater.

Check water heater ages, test for silent toilet leaks and close crawl space vents before winter. See emergency plumbing, leak detection, water heaters and frozen and burst pipes.