We should do many things to a house that often goes overlooked. Springtime is the perfect time to tackle some of these items. Our office is working on a few of these items with tenants to mark off your rental's preventative maintenance checklist.
1. Recalking around windows and doors.
Caulking does dry out and loses elasticity over a short time. When it dries, it can affect the heating and cooling in the home. Simply scraping the existing caulk and applying a new bead around the windows and doors will significantly improve the home's efficiency.
2. Furnace Filter Replacement.
The furnace filter should be replaced every six to eight weeks, depending on the furnace and type of filter. Replacing filters is the easiest way to save thousands of dollars in repairs over the life of your furnace. Tenants are sent reminders in March and April to perform this simple task.
3. Replacing or cleaning your dryer vent.
A leading cause of clothes washer and dryer fires is the failure to clean them. On top of cleaning the lint trap after every use, once or twice a year, one should clean the dryer vent. Pull the dryer away from the wall, vacuum the vent, vent hose, and around the dryer. And don't forget to check the vent flap opens while the dryer is in operation.
4. Cleaning & Sealing of gutters and downspouts.
Fall leaves and Winter weather creates build-up in your gutter runs. If left unaddressed, the gutters may start to sag and leak. Sagging gutters can lead to numerous issues, including misaligned channels, the hangers separating from the gutters, or worse, the hangers separating from your fascia. Maintenance of your gutters is a quick yet essential task.
5. Replacing the smoke detectors.
Many of us have grown up with the habit of swapping out detector batteries in the spring and fall. As part of each lease, the tenant is required to perform this check. However, should the smoke detectors be more than ten years old, they will need to be replaced at the owner's cost.
As a reminder, there should be one smoke detector located in each bedroom and one in the common areas. Also, there should be a carbon monoxide/smoke combination detector in the common areas or bedroom hallway.
6. Showerheads and faucet aerators.
The accumulation of mineral deposits can affect water pressure. Soaking these in equal parts water and vinegar solution for about 30 minutes should do the trick. Using a commercial mineral removal product for heavy or stubborn deposits may be necessary.
Last but not least, my favorite spring cleaning item;
7. Deck/Step/Walkway Cleaning.
Algae and moss love to grow on everything with the rain and little sun we get here. The simple fact is algae and mold are not a pretty sight and can be hazardous if left unchecked. Having a handyman use a cleaning solution to remove the algae or moss will aid in maintaining the deck, steps, or walkway's condition.
We recommend numerous other seasonal preventative maintenance tips to keep your rental in great shape. Most of the time, they are inexpensive and can help reduce repair costs should they arise. If you have specific concerns about your property's maintenance, we are here to work with you. Just give the office a call (541-808-9040) or email Michelle@orbpm.com.
