5 Preventative Maintenance Tips for Modesto Rental Properties

Owning a rental property is not always easy, and as a landlord you need to be prepared to maintain your investment. Unexpected problems and repairs seem to arise at inconvenient times. However, if you follow a preventative maintenance schedule, you can catch small problems before they become a major expense. We’re talking about five common preventative maintenance issues that you can take care of easily to prevent headaches in the future.

Roof Maintenance

Extend the life of your roof by routinely clearing the gutters, checking for clogged drains and downspouts and inspecting the shingles to detect any that are missing or cracked. We recommend that you inspect your roof at least once a year and always after the storm season.

Plumbing Maintenance

If your tenant reports a leak or an unusual noise coming from your faucets or pipes, make sure to investigate the problem. You also want to inspect the sprinkler system and the valves. Broken or burst pipes under your house or behind the walls will cause major problems, so you want to handle them immediately. Always look for standing water or signs of moisture in the walls, floors and ceilings. Don’t let small plumbing problems become large plumbing problems. They will be more complicated and a lot more expensive.

Bedbugs, Pests and Rodents

To protect your house from pests, you need to know what to look for and how to detect the signs of a pest infestation. If there’s any dry rot hiding in your property, you’re going to increase the chances of attracting termites. When you discover rodents, you want to get rid of them immediately. Not only are they unsightly, they can destroy wires and insulation. They can also create nests in your walls. Bedbugs have become a very destructive force in rental properties. Keep up with your pest inspections and treatments so you can save yourself some money and protect your investment.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Keep careful records of the warranties you have on your heating and cooling system. When you have an HVAC problem, you’ll want to contact the manufacturer first. Educate your tenants on the necessity of changing the air filters regularly and schedule annual inspections of the furnace and air conditioning system so you don’t need to replace it prematurely.

Electrical System Maintenance

Look for exposed wires, broken plugs and malfunctioning switches. You want all of your GFCI circuits to be working, and make sure your breakers work well.

These are just a few of the issues that arise when you own a rental property. There are many other maintenance issues to worry about, but if you pay attention to your preventative schedules, you’ll save money and maintain your home. If you have any questions, contact us at Valley Oak Property Management.