We wanted to share some property maintenance tips from our experienced in-house maintenance staff.
First, have a calendar of tasks to complete and stick to it.
The following list contains some of the more crucial maintenance tasks to schedule and do on a regular basis.
Exterminate Monthly.
Unwanted pests damage property, disturb residences and move in to stay. Invest in regular extermination appointments and save yourself the headache of these types of calls from your residents. We work directly with owners to identify these issues and assist you in finding the best pest control experts to take care of the dirty work. We help you discern which problems must be fixed immediately and which ones can wait for a season or two.
Check for Water Damage and Leaks.
Make it a habit to check for water damage regularly! Spinnaker recommends creating an easy to access process to ensure that your residents know to how to report any water-related incidences to you immediately. Water damage is expensive and the resulting mold issues can be worse. During Pacific Northwest, rainy seasons roofs and windows can develop issues, and these problems need to be addressed quickly to avoid costly repair bills.
Examine Shower Caulking and Grout Between Tiles.
Water damage from poor caulking is a common and expensive issue with many rentals. It is worth the time to check the caulking on tubs, showers and flooring to ensure that water is not seeping into areas where it does not belong. Pay special attention to tubs, showers, and kitchen areas where water is used daily. It is ideal to plan to reseal all caulking once per year.
Make sure the fire extinguishers are installed and in working order.
Place one in the kitchen and the garage. Place smoke detectors and CO detectors properly and in accordance with the law. Check and replace batteries annually in both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The date of birth (DOB) of the unit is typically located on the bottom of the unit. Ideally, fire extinguishers and CO detectors should be replaced every 5 years.
Change the Filters in Your Forced Air Systems.
Most filter systems are hidden in a furnace room or out of the way place. Make sure you replace these filters on a regular basis to provide quality airflow and to prevent overworking your heating and cooling systems.
Clean the Gutters.
Freeing gutters from debris will ensure proper drainage to downspouts and lengthen the life of the gutter. Additionally, clean gutters will prevent wood rot to the eaves. In the Pacific Northwest, tree branches break off and pine needles fill gutters. We recommend cleaning gutters at least every spring, and more often if weather conditions demand.
If moss is an issue, consider hiring a professional to remove it properly, and to protect yourself from an accident!
Conduct a structural inspection of the home including gutters, roof, and patios annually. Address safety and other issues you see.
The Pacific Northwest is beautiful…but the weather here creates unique challenges. Spinnaker Property Management has decades of experience helping owners like yourself watch their bottom line in every area…especially in the maintaining of your property.
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure! We don’t know who said that…but whomever it was would be great in the property management world. Speaking of great in the property management world… we’d love to start looking at your situation. Just send us an email and we will get back to you soon.
Want to hear more? Email me at the address below or call 253-830-5160.
Α: 2115 S 56th St Suite #308,
Tacoma, WA 98409
