7 Top Summer Maintenance Tasks for Your Rental Property

Rental properties are an investment, and with proper maintenance, they can serve you for many years. As one of your income sources, it pays to have regular work orders done to ensure it’s in the best condition. Summer maintenance tasks for apartments are commonplace, as there is more time to work and the weather is usually agreeable.

If you’re looking for the priorities to work on for your apartment maintenance job, you’ve come to the right place. These may take some time if you’re doing it on your own, while others may have professionals to work on these maintenance tasks. Here are the seven top things for you to consider, as we prioritize these as a part of our property maintenance services at ExactEstate.

1. Roof Inspection and Cleaning

The roof protects the entire structure underneath, especially the interior. Many rental property owners forget regular maintenance because problems aren’t often visible. As seasons change, debris and other things may build up on the roof. It isn’t uncommon for leaves, twigs, and other debris to fall on the rooftop.

The issue is when this debris begins to divert water from its set path. Usually, they have to slide down the roof towards the gutters and other pathways. If build-up is there, water can pool, causing unnecessary strain to specific parts of the roofing. It can also divert water to reach areas it shouldn't be. Water could begin seeping through the walls, windows, and other entryways.

The heavyweight and continuous water can whittle down your roofing structure. They may start to get cracks, which will open the door for more damage. You may spot leaks or pooling water in specific areas. Roof cleaning will prevent this issue and also save you from expensive damages.

Apart from water damage, there are also two other things you need to look out for:

1. Moss/Fungus growth
2. Animals/insect nests

These often go hand in hand with water damage. It can happen when the roof hasn’t been maintained in a while, transforming the space to become attractive to other living creatures. These things are unpredictable and can damage your structure. They may also carry diseases that increase the risk for your renters.

Having regular roof inspection is what we recommend. Many have roofs checked once or twice annually, depending on how much weather and season changes happen.

2. Lawn, Plants, and Garden Maintenance

Summer is when you’ll need to maintain your greeneries to prevent weeds and dryness from settling in. That means you’ll have to do the following:

• Water the plants
• Remove dead flowers
• Dig up weeds

During the summer, plants will need more water than necessary, though they don’t need it daily. A good rule of thumb is to have water a few times a week, soaking them enough. Maintenance will ensure that your renters find the place visually appealing and tidy.

If you’re too busy to do it, the alternative is to install a sprinkler system or hire a professional landscaper to handle the job. You can also hire a gardener or someone who can water the plants a few times a week.

If you need help with maintenance, ExactEstate can create custom-made systems that help you stay on top of them. You can set up a schedule with contractors regularly and let the software update you when you need maintenance on specific items.

3. Doors, Windows, and Screens

Damage can occur to these entryways throughout the year. Even with a long lifespan, a hole can become a way for bugs and other things to enter your rental property. It’s something to consider as a summer maintenance task for apartments. Ensuring they close and lock is also a part of maintenance, as broken ones can lead to theft.

Apart from that, damaged entryways can also lead to temperature and ventilation issues within the property. The place may not store cold air from your AC because there are gaps with doors and windows letting the cold out. When the cold season rolls in, it may be challenging to retain heat indoors.

ExactEstate can handle all these with maintenance software to help you keep track of things managed within your rental property. It is a way to reduce overhead and keep everyone in the rental happy.

4. Vents and HVAC

Aside from dust, snow and ice can also be elements that begin building up in and around vents. Whether it’s in the bathroom or other pipelines, cleaning them will prevent future infrastructure issues. The airflow needs to be clear in these areas to reduce the fire risk while also maximizing the capability of any machines attached to them.

Technician service is also a must if you’re maintaining HVAC systems. They wear down over time, and you may need the occasional filter replacement. Others may have more extensive damage that will be better for repairs rather than expensive replacement. Professionals are almost a must for these, as it can be hard to do this apartment maintenance job yourself.

At times, your HVAC and other systems may wear down faster because of misuse from tenants. At ExactEstate, we offer a thorough screening of tenants to prevent many of these issues from occurring.

5. Pool Maintenance

If your property has a swimming pool, more people will use it during the summer. Getting it clean and ready is essential for safety and happiness. You want to make sure to fix anything faded and prevent people from getting to the pool when it’s not open. You need to stop costly accidents, especially if you don’t have a lifeguard on duty.

Our team at ExactEstate can provide an online portal to track your residents using any amenities at your rental. It’s easy to use and connects you to your clientele.

6. Pathways and Stairs

As people pass through exterior and interior pathways, they may fade from their pristine condition. You might see broken or missing pieces of wood. They can be a safety risk, increasing the chances of accidents. You need to apply protective coating and replace items if necessary. We help you stay on top of this with our property maintenance software.

7. Bugs and Pests

Termites, ants, and mice are some pests that love staying in rental properties because they can be food sources. While regular spraying can reduce encroachment, you may need professionals. It can be expensive, but pest control can be a little more amenable if you are on a regular contract.

During the maintenance season, you’d want to prevent these pests from coming in. Cleaning and sanitation can help prevent them from coming in. You may want to replace old mattresses and wash any linens in the property. If you’re having trouble tracking all of these, software from ExactEstate can help you streamline and manage your files in one place.

ExactEstate: Helping Track Maintenance Tasks Every Season

Maintaining and improving is a big task for a rental property. If you’re managing one or several, you may not be able to see all the work orders you need to do. ExactEstate has the software to help with maintenance, tenant screening, and more. The software automates many processes and keeps tracking on one platform. Request a demo today.