As a rental property owner, you likely know the importance of completing essential maintenance tasks. While missing a few things here and there often won’t cause too many problems, there are other maintenance tasks you should be doing every year. Neglecting these maintenance tasks can lead to decreased tenant satisfaction and big repair bills down the road. Completing these ten maintenance tasks is a straightforward way to save you many headaches and hassles!
1. Regularly change furnace filters
You need to ensure that your furnace filters are changed regularly and correctly. Clogged filters can lead to poor indoor air quality and shorten the life of your rental property’s furnace.
2. Clear the dryer vent
Clothes dryer vents are often overlooked but are a significant fire hazard, especially when clogged. Clogged vents rank among the top causes of residential fires in the United States. A clogged dryer vent can not only be a fire hazard, though. It can also invite unwanted pests and cause mold problems.
3. Relight furnace pilot light
When you turn off your pilot light during warm months, test it before winter to avoid emergencies. Ensure it’s operational before cold weather arrives so your tenants can rely on it without delay. Tenants won’t enjoy waiting in the cold for you to get the furnace up and running.
4. Drain sediment from water heater
To prevent buildup, remove sediment from the water heater yearly. This step will help extend the life of your rental property’s water heater and improve its performance.
5. Inspect for water leaks
It sounds simple, and it is. At least once a year, visually check your property’s plumbing, fixtures, sprinklers, and so on. If you notice any signs of leaks or pooling water, that is something you should have addressed right away.
6. Change batteries for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
It’s crucial to replace the batteries in your rental property’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a year. There’s no need to wait for the unit to fail and start beeping; by being proactive, you can save your tenant and yourself that particular headache!
7. Lubricate garage door springs
If your rental property has a garage, it’s important to lubricate the springs and wheels of your garage door once a year. An adequately lubricated garage door will work perfectly for many years, while a neglected door will often fail long before it should have.
8. Give your appliances some TLC
You can also extend the life of your rental property’s appliances by doing essential maintenance each year. For example, vacuuming your refrigerator coils and cleaning the seals around the refrigerator doors can help this essential appliance work better and last longer.
9. Clean window weep holes
Many vinyl windows have weep holes on the exterior that help drain away water and condensation. But these holes can become clogged with dirt or insects. Simply flushing your weep holes out once a year can help avoid condensation and other moisture problems.
10. Check for pests
Finally, if you aren’t already doing so, you should carefully check your property for signs of pest infestation every year. Termites can start as a small problem. But if left unchecked, it can quickly become a nightmare scenario for you and your tenant.
Why not let the professionals handle the important yet time-consuming maintenance tasks for you? Real Property Management Icon offers a full range of property management and maintenance services from local experts in Celina and nearby. You can have peace of mind that essential maintenance tasks are being done yearly. To learn more, contact us online or call 469-895-9788.
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