Matt’s Maintenance: What Your Property Needs to be Ready for the Spring
With temperatures starting to warm up in New England, it should be no surprise that your property may be damaged after the harsh winter conditions. While it may seem like a lot needs to be done, Matt, our property manager, has compiled the most important tips to prepare your property to transition into the spring. These tips will ensure that your property is thriving and that it is prepared for the upcoming warmer months.
Check for damage on gutters and roof
Gutters discharge rainwater that streams down the roof. During the winter, gutters can become clogged, damaged, or can even show signs of mold growth. It's important to remove any leaves, twigs, or material that got stuck inside the gutters. Damaged gutters can cause home interior damage, roof leaks, pest infestations from water, and other costly repairs. Make sure to also look for any large debris that might have fallen on the roof.
Have your HVAC system inspected
Have a professional inspect the HVAC system. This will ensure that any damage that occurred during the winter is clear. Remember to replace filters every 3 to 6 months. Having your HVAC system checked can prevent utilizing a lot of money on repairs and breakdowns during the spring and summer months.
Replace Exterior Wood
Winter can be very damaging and harsh to any exterior wood material, such as fences or decks. The winter conditions may have caused bending, collapsing, and cracking of the fences. On some occasions, the harsh weather can also generate rotting in the fences due to excessive moisture. To inspect your exterior wood, please make sure to remove any snow left and then look for any damage. This same tip also applies if you have fences from other materials, such as vinyl or metal, but typically, wood is the material that gets the most damaged during the winter.
Check Windows
Check that window screens have no rips and tears. Ensuring that windows are sealed and closed properly is important to prevent the increase of electricity bills and from heat waves affecting your property. Checking windows will also ensure that little cracks and tears don’t allow bugs and other pests to enter your home.
Renew and build-up your landscaping
After the winter, gardens and landscape designs will most likely be ruined. Make sure that the lawn is trimmed and that any branches or loose leaves are removed to clear the landscape. Look out for any issues with sprinklers and other irrigation systems, since these are vital tools to maintain a nice and visually pleasing landscape.
Prepare common amenities
If you live in a residential community with other renters or property owners, you might have common amenities such as pools or gardens that families wish to enjoy over the spring and summertime. Make sure to talk to the HOA board about how to revitalize these spaces for families to use over the warmer months.
Check water leaks and drain lines
Checking for water leaks and drain lines can seem like a daunting task, but it is such an important item to do from this list. Leaks in plumbing fixture will contribute to high water bills. Checking old pipes and plumbing systems is crucial. First, you can start with an indoor inspection in areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. If you don’t find visible leaks, try to turn on faucets and check for any water trying to escape.
Inspecting outside plumbing and drainage is important too. You can turn all outdoor faucets on and identify if there are any issues with the pipelines.
Conclusion
Springtime can often feel like a breath of fresh air after the harsh New England winter, but that doesn’t mean it is time to get complacent for property owners. Using the spring to revitalize and refresh your properties can help them both be more resilient during any season and improve tenant satisfaction during the soon to follow peak rental months. If you want to know what specific spring projects would most benefit your properties, please fill our contact form to connect you with a member of our property management team and learn how Sustainable Comfort, Inc. can help you prepare for the new season.