SPRING MAINTENANCE … FOR YOUR SFH RENTAL PROPERTY 8 Tips To Protect Your Investment OK, Virginia! It's been a long time coming ... but Spring is officially here. And not just determined by the date. Check your thermometer to further prove that Old Man Winter is gone. Spring is also a time to ensure the continued (and hopefully growing) value of your SFH investment property by attending to key preventative maintenance. A little maintenance now will avoid major repairs down the road. The following is an excellent Checklist for Success. Check Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors This is done by pressing the test button. Be sure to change the batteries. That's cheap insurance to protect your property and tenants in the event the detectors need to activate. Important Safety Tip: When a connection is made between the positive and negative posts of batteries and any conductive material, electricity will flow. This is especially important to know when it comes to 9-volt batteries … the kind in smoke detectors. Reason - because the positive and negative terminals are on the same side and close together. Recently, a homeowner sat a laundry basket next to a sack of batteries waiting to be recycled. Two of the batteries shorted against each other. Ultimately, they burst into flame causing a fire that totally destroyed the home. Easy fix Put a small piece of electrical tape over the positive and negative battery posts of batteries in close proximity to each other. That's true for new and old batteries as the old may still have enough juice to be a problem. Replace HVAC Filters Ideally this should be done frequently. Check monthly and replace as needed. A dirty filter forces your HVAC system to work harder which results in higher summer cooling expenses and hastens a major replacement cost as it shortens the life of your blower motor. Tip: While you are thinking "HVAC", clear vegetation around the compressor. That will ensure good airflow - essential to efficient performance. Inspect Your Roof Your roof is the first line of defense against water damage. Avoid risking water damage inside your home by catching and repairing defects. Tip: A pair of binoculars will keep you off a ladder. Clean Gutters Gutters protect your property by directing rainwater away from the roof and exterior walls. Clogged gutters will not deliver on that promise! Be sure all clogs are cleared. Inspect Vinyl Siding Check for cracks or damaged siding and repair or replace. Also, look for wind damage that may catch seams and corners of vinyl or aluminum siding shearing them off the exterior walls. Paint as Needed Don't wait until the paint starts to crack to repaint! There are many different types of paint for both interior and exterior applications. Talk to an expert to determine best choices for your property. Pest Prevention - The Payoff Spring is an excellent time to initiate an exam of your property every few months for signs of infestations. The cost to avoid the problem is far less than the losses incurred from tenants moving out and a negative blow to your cash flow and business reputation. Fix Water Leaks Winter may have created leaks in any number of places. Check pipes under sinks and toilets. Examine seals around windows and doors. A look in the attic will reveal any leakage or water pockets. Key Takeaways The old adage holds true, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Spring is a perfect time to give your rental property a routine inspection and avoid expensive maintenance down the road, give your tenants a disaster-free experience and keep your investment property in tip-top shape. KRS Holdings clients enjoy our hands-on Spring preventative maintenance of their properties. |