Fall feels like the time of year that the world slows down and enjoys the spectacular colors of the leaves. New England winters can be harsh, and summer’s can be hot, so there’s much to do in terms of maintenance and making sure your property is in good condition.
For property upkeep to be successful maintenance should occur throughout the year. Regardless, there are some specific tasks that experience tells us need to be completed every fall, winter, and summer. Here are some maintenance tips that can keep your property well maintained throughout the year.
Roof & Gutters
Let’s start our seasonal maintenance tips at the top with the regular fall checks on the roof and gutters of your property.
Fall and winter are a good time (before temperature drops and precipitation may make it difficult to inspect the area) to clean out the gutters. Over the seasons they’re likely clogged with leaves, debris, and wildlife nests. A good clean-out keeps your gutters functioning properly and move water away from your structure and foundation.
While you’re up there, check the roof for any signs of damage such as peeling shingles, weak spots, or a chimney cap that may have become dislodged due to wind or storms. Accessing this area when there is ice or snow will be impossible, so this may be your last chance to inspect and repair.
Trees, Leaves, & Landscaping Needs
Fall, spring, and summer is notorious for requiring some heavy-duty cleanup, especially in the time between when the last leaves fall, the first snowflakes fall, and the eventual regrowth. It may seem like a race against time but you’ll be grateful you got those leaves up before Mother Nature dumps a few feet of snow on them. Otherwise, you’ll have a mess of soggy, potentially rotten leaves to clean up in spring when the snow melts.
Our tip is to think about this task as three main areas: cleaning up the leaves, trimming back trees and bushes that need it, and repairing any areas of your landscape that require attention before all outdoor tasks are inaccessible.
Mowing the lawn is something that should be done every few weeks or so, especially during hot summer months, but it instantly makes a huge difference. This simple task makes the lawn look more inviting and neater. However, be sure not to cut it too short, especially during drought. On the other hand, you shouldn’t let your grass get too long, either, as that will make your lawn a potential home for ticks, which have seen an increase in population in Massachusetts during recent years.
Windows & Doors
Winter in our region can bring some amazingly low temperatures. Therefore insulation, including caulking around windows and doors should be checked annually to ensure that HVAC systems are not stressed or allowing heated air to escape. This is especially important as rising energy costs could make drafty doors and windows costly.
While installing energy efficient doors and windows is the ideal solution, if you’re on a budget or don’t have the time before winter hits, don’t despair. Fresh window calk and door sweeps can be a lifesaver for your utility bill and reduce the need to keep turning up the thermostat.
Prep For Snow
If part of your duties as a property manager includes snow plowing and shoveling your communities, be sure that you have the right equipment. Also affirm that it has been thoroughly checked before the first flakes fly. The last thing you want when a blizzard hits is to find out your snow blower needs a new engine. Also think ahead and put the snow shovels out somewhere accessible instead of buried under a pile of summer lawn tools.
It’s also a good idea to remind your tenants or renters of the policy for moving cars and parking lot rules for when the weather turns slippery. Shoot them an email, slip fliers under their doors, or hold a building-wide meeting. Keep them in the loop and ensure they’re as prepared as you are for winter.
Install Air Conditioners
Some landlords leave air conditioning units in their tenants’ windows year-round, but some prefer to remove them for the winter and reinstall them once the hot weather returns. If you’re such a landlord, then you’ll want to get on that now. Heat waves have become more common due to climate change, and if your AC units need new filters or replacement parts, you’ll want to get that taken care of before your tenants are left sweating and miserable.
Open the Pool
If your property has a pool, it’s time to open it and get it cleaned and ready. As Massachusetts has a relatively short pool season, you’ll want to open it as soon as the weather permits so tenants can make the most of it. This means clearing out debris, treating the water, and checking the filters.
Take care of these simple summer maintenance tasks and you’ll have happy tenants for years to come. So get out the lawn mower, pick out some flowers, and get to work. Afterwards you can kick back with a glass of lemonade as your renters tell you how great of a job you’ve done.
Now that you know what to do during all the seasons you’ll be ready all year round! If you start your maintenance prep early, you’ll have more time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather each month offers.