Getting ready for warmer weather and rental property maintenance is the maintenance checkup this week, provided by Keepe.
Spring is the best time to plan and get to work on a rental property maintenance on the exterior.
As weather gets milder, it becomes easier to begin projects that would have been difficult or even impossible to complete during the wet and cold of winter plus summer heat is right around the corner.
7 spring rental property maintenance outside to-do’s
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- Water Drainage. Those April showers might come in handy after all. They are the best way to test out the efficiency of a property’s drainage system. After rainfall, it is necessary to check whether any water remains undrained around the property. Noticing whether puddles fail to disappear after 24 hours is one way of gauging this. If water fails to properly drain, moisture can easily increase around the property’s foundations and walls, often causing heightened moisture levels within the property and water damage to walls and floors, which all facilitate mold growth. Our experts encourage turning to a professional who can evaluate the efficiency of a property’s drainage system and suggest any maintenance work to ensure that water is directed away from the property.
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- Roof. While it’s best to hire a professional to climb on the roof and check for cracks that might cause interior leaks, the Do-It-Yourself and Climbing-Free option entails spraying water with a garden hose (if possible) onto the roof and checking whether it drains without leaks. Promptly turn to a roof cleaning and repair specialist if interior leaks are noticed. Additionally, natural debris – such as leaves and branches – can easily collect on the roof during the winter, which makes the spring a good time to schedule a roof cleaning service.
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- Gutters and Downspouts. With strong winter winds, gutters will have likely accumulated sediments and debris. Check in with your trusted gutter cleaning specialist and schedule a cleaning service.
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- Foundations. If your property has an exposed brick or concrete foundation, check for cracks and signs of deterioration. Turn to a foundation professional for necessary repairs to guarantee that the property is properly and safely sealed.
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- Windows, Entryways and Thresholds. Window sills and entryways can easily develop cracks. Those cracks make it possible for critters to enter the property while also contributing to straining the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system as a poorly-insulated property fails to retain a desired temperature. A professional handyman can easily reseal cracked thresholds.
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- Caulking. Similarly to entryways and windows, exterior caulking can wear off as a result of harsh weather exposure. To guarantee that a property is properly insulated, a professional should check the conditions of exterior caulking and re-caulk deteriorated areas.
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- Siding. A cleaning and pressure washing specialist can assess the conditions of a property’s exterior siding and recommend whether it should be thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning dirt and debris from siding keeps mold and fungi from growing.
7 rental property maintenance to-do’s for summer
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- Air Conditioning System. Ensure your tenants will be able to enjoy a functional air conditioning system in the summer, so check now instead of waiting for them to call later. An HVAC specialist can check whether the air conditioning system is in optimal shape and clean condensers and evaporators from debris that naturally accumulate after the air conditioning is not being utilized regularly.
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- Painting. Good rental property maintenance includes tending to worn and discolored walls, doors, windows, fences and porches is a perfect activity for the spring. A professional can get your exteriors back to like-new condition with a fresh coat of paint.
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- Window and Door Screens. All screens should be thoroughly checked for tears, as they represent an easy point of entry for those bugs and critters that start showing up as the weather gets hotter. Older, loose and worn screens or frames should be promptly replaced to avoid the annoyances of bugs’ activities within the home.
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- Porches and Fences. Wooden fences and porches should be treated with protective sealant every four to six years. A professional can assess the condition of porches and fences to recommend necessary treatments, which protect wood from the cracks, warping, rotting and discoloration that can happen as a result of wet weather and/or direct sunshine exposure.
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- Decks. Especially in older properties, exterior decks can begin to wear down, rot and become unstable and unsafe. A specialist can check the conditions of a deck’s structure and recommend necessary repairs to ensure that tenants can safely enjoy spending time outside as the weather gets warmer.
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- Landscaping. If your property is surrounded by greenery, a professional should be hired to trim overgrown vegetation, remove debris and leaves, and inspect plants that are actively growing on the property’s structure or fencing. This allows for vegetation to grow neatly around the property, which is both aesthetically pleasant and safe, since overgrown surroundings make for perfect living spaces for pests and other wildlife.
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- Garden Sprinklers: If you rely on a sprinkler system to maintain your property’s lawn check it after it was unused for several months and before it starts beings used often. A professional can check for leaky valves, inefficient lines, water pressure levels and faulty sprinkler heads.
Other recent rental property maintenance Keepe posts you may have missed:
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
About Keepe:
Keepe is an on-demand maintenance solution for property managers and independent landlords. Keepe makes hundreds of independent contractors and handymen available for maintenance projects at rental properties. Keepe is available in the Greater Seattle area,
