Fixing water damage in rentals was one of the most popular maintenance jobs this past month performed by Keepe, so here are some tips to help.
Water damage in your rental can be a small annoyance or a really big problem. So the hot maintenance job lately has been around water damage and leaks, perhaps due to the recent wet weather in several parts of the country, according to Keepe.
 With more weather potentially on the way this fall and some rainy days ahead, it pays for property managers and maintenance folks to do a quick checkup.
The best time to check for leaks is after heavy rainfall or on hot humid days because pipes tend to sweat in high temperatures.
However, it is certainly beneficial to take a more preventative approach by inspecting rentals more routinely for water leaks and damage.
4 Ways You Can Spot Water Damage In Rentals Early
 Make sure to look at windows, sinks, showers, roofs, and toilets first as these are usually the most common origins of water leaks.
No. 1 – An increased water bill
An uptick in the water bill for you or your tenants would strongly suggest a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Unfortunately a big bill can be a helpful way to find leaks that are in places that are rarely visited, such as leaks in attics or crawl spaces.
 No. 2 – Peeling or bubbling paint damage in rentals
 This could strongly suggest that the pipes behind the walls might be leaking, causing water to seep through the wall and paint.
No. 3 – Mold buildup
 If you see mold building anywhere in your rental, this could be a strong indicator of a water damage and leak. This is potentially caused by a moisture problem that has been accumulating for a long period of time.
No. 4 – Damage indicators like soft spots on roofs, ceilings and walls
 Identifying these soft spots early on could save you a lot of time and money before letting it spread to other areas, causing a bigger, more expensive problem.
Identify and mitigate early
It is extremely crucial to identify a water leak early because an ongoing leak can severely damage walls, ceilings, or even tenants’ belongings.
In addition, when mold starts to form, this will also start to become a very expensive problem, especially if it is more than 10 square feet in size.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has particular guidelines and requirements to deal with these larger moldy surfaces, most of which are very costly.
Here are other recent rental property maintenance Keepe posts you may have missed:
 How To Pick The Perfect Exterior Paint Color For Your Rental Property
4 Outdoor Flooring Options For Your Rentals
20 Easy, Affordable Maintenance Projects To Update Your Rentals
7 Tech Gadgets For A Safer And More Efficient Rental Property
5 Maintenance Tips For Long-Lasting Rental Carpet Flooring
Is The Water Heater At Your Rental Property Ready For The Big One?
7 Types Of Kitchen Countertops For Your Apartments
Which Cooktop Is Best For Your Rental Property?
A Guide To 4 Types Of Flat Roof Systems
6 Ways To Trash Your Apartment Waste Management Issues
Top 5 Apartment Maintenance Emergencies vs. Maintenance Requests
5 Tips for Preparing Your Apartments for the Summer Season
4 Air Conditioning Maintenance Best Practices For Summer
About Keepe:
Keepe is an on-demand maintenance solution for property managers and independent landlords. We make hundreds of independent contractors and handymen available for maintenance projects at rental properties. Keepe is available in the Greater Seattle area, Greater Phoenix area, San Francisco Bay area, and Portland area, and we are continuing to expand. Learn more at http://www.keepe.com
