Rental Property Maintenance Tasks You Might Be Missing
Dustin Edwards • August 30, 2021
Small Maintenance Items Can Help You Save Big on Costly Repairs
A vital component of operating your Long Beach rental
is ensuring that everything on the property is in pristine and working condition. Broken or faulty items not only pose an inconvenience for your tenants, but they are also a potential safety hazard. Additionally, if interested tenants notice anything is disheveled or defective, chances are they will turn down your rental.
However, there are times when even experienced landlords overlook certain aspects of their rental. As such, here are a few important property maintenance tasks that you might be missing.
Sprinkler Heads
There are many reasons your Long Beach rental’s sprinkler heads may break. Most commonly, feral animals might tamper with them, or machinery (i.e. lawnmowers, bicycles, and cars) might come into accidental contact with them. Regardless, it is important to check on your rental’s sprinkler heads and ensure that they are intact and still working properly.
If you find that one of your rental’s sprinkler heads is broken, replacing it is a rather simple and inexpensive process. Start by checking the top of the existing sprinkler head to determine the model (pop-up or impact), delivery rate (inches per hour or gallons per minute), spray pattern, and throwing distance. Failing to match any of these details can cause water leakage and damage to the sprinkler system.
Once you know all these characteristics, you can find replacement sprinkler heads at Home Depot or your local home improvement store.
After obtaining the replacement sprinkler head, dig a hole around the old sprinkler head, unscrew it from the riser pipe, and screw on the new sprinkler head.
Then, you should test the sprinkler system and watch it for a few minutes to verify that the new sprinkler head works properly. If no leakage occurs, chances are your replacement sprinkler head is a success!
Washer Hoses
One of the most common culprits of house floodings is washer hoses.
Many homes have washer hoses made out of reinforced rubber, which are dangerous because of their likelihood to burst. Not only would this pose an extremely horrible situation for your tenants, but it could also cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in water damages and refurbishment expenses.
Instead of a rubber washer hose, consider purchasing a stainless steel washer hose. The stainless steel minimizes any chance of flooding by acting as a burst-resistant barrier.
For an even greater safety measure, you can buy a stainless steel washer hose with an auto-shutoff mechanism. This additional feature will stop water flow if it senses any alarming changes in water pressure.
Out of all of the above options, auto-shutoff stainless steel washer hoses are the best choice. Though they may be the most expensive, the added price is worth the peace of mind knowing that your Long Beach rental is safe from flooding.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential and required items for your rental. According to the California Building Code, there must be one smoke alarm on every floor of non-sleeping rooms, one smoke alarm in every sleeping room, and one smoking alarm in every hallway that leads to a sleeping room.
Similarly, California law requires at least one carbon monoxide detector in single-family residences. One should be sufficient for a one-story rental, but if your rental is two stories, consider installing one downstairs and one upstairs.
It is important to make sure that your Long Beach rental meets these standards and that all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating.
The best way to guarantee this is by replacing smoke detector batteries annually and carbon monoxide detectors biannually. By doing this, you avoid any false chirping, which poses an inconvenience for your tenants and might falsely scare them into thinking there is a threat. Additionally, this gives you time to check on all the detectors and see if they are malfunctioning or broken.
Furthermore, you should replace smoke detectors around every ten years and carbon monoxide detectors about every five years because, eventually, the alarm sensors stop working. Leaving old detectors in your Long Beach rental can be hazardous as they may fail to save your tenants from catastrophic fires or gas leaks.
Home Depot and plenty of other retailers carry a wide variety of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Window Screens
Torn and brittle window screens are not only unsightly and bring down your Long Beach rental’s curb appeal, but they also let in bugs, rain, and dust.
Unfortunately, there is no clear lifespan for window screens. Therefore, you should keep an eye on your rental’s window screens and replace them whenever they become thin and start to develop holes. Depending on the amount of wear and tear they endure, window screens can last anywhere between five to ten years. It all depends on how you and your tenants care for your property.
Home Depot carries pre-framed window screens of various widths which makes it easy to find replacement screens that best fit your rental’s windows.
Adding these property maintenance tasks to your checklist
will better your rental and foster happier tenants. If you need further assistance with caring for your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our Owner Application online.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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