Do you ever wonder why spring cleaning is a thing? What’s so special about the cleaning you do between March and April? Well, the reason spring maintenance is essential is that it allows you to clean up and make repairs after the brutal winter months. After all, spending hours power washing the siding is not ideal in the freezing snow. Thus, Bay Property Management Group Philadelphia recommends regular maintenance for your rental property. That said, both landlords and tenants play a role in getting the house in order.
To help you do a thorough job, we’ve compiled a list of indoor and outdoor spring maintenance tasks. We also talk about the importance of regular maintenance and having a spring cleaning checklist below.
Indoor Spring Maintenance Tasks
- Check the Thermostat
One of the first things on your spring cleaning checklist should be to check the thermostat. Since this component is essential in monitoring the house’s temperature, you need to ensure it’s functioning optimally. Inspect the batteries and change them if necessary. If your AC unit isn’t working as it should, try cleaning the filters or replacing them.
- Test the Emergency Systems
Another crucial indoor task is to test your emergency alarms. The last thing you want is to endanger your or your tenants’ lives because of a faulty system. Check your fire, carbon monoxide, and moisture detectors to ensure they are fully functional. Additionally, you should also service your home security system if you have one. While you’re at it, you should also examine your entryways. You should remove all obstacles that might hinder movement and ensure they’re secure. If your windows are dirty, you could hire a professional cleaning service to wash them.
- Look for Leaks
Water damage can have costly consequences for your rental property. Thus, it would help if you examined your plumbing thoroughly for leaks. This step is especially vital following the winter months because frozen pipes can burst, leaving a mess in the spring. Also, don’t forget to check rooms like your attic or basement, where mold, rust, and discoloration can go undetected.
Outdoor Spring Maintenance Tasks
- Clean the Roof and Gutters
Once you get out of the house, you should clean the roof and gutters. There might be a build-up of snow and debris on your roof following the fall and winter months. These can lead to water accumulation and block the flow of water in your gutters. If left unchecked, this blockage can lead to water damage that compromises the integrity of your roof. Also, if it spills over to the side, it can affect your foundation. It also offers you a chance to repair broken shingles and prevent pests from gaining entry to the house.
- Examine the Exterior Walls and Foundation
The exterior of your house determines the first impression people get, so it should be attractive. You should examine the outside wall thoroughly and check for cracks, peels, or rodent entries. If there’s any significant damage, you’ll need to rectify it as soon as possible. After that, you might consider repainting your exterior walls to give them a fresh look. Good paint enhances your home’s outlook and can also be a deterrent against weather and pests.
- Spruce up your Landscaping
Finally, cap off your outdoor tasks by sprucing up your landscape. You can prop up your curb appeal by planting flowers and trees if you’re on a tight budget. Plenty of low-cost and low-maintenance plants can improve your aesthetics and provide a welcome feeling. Further, it would be best if you also looked into lawn maintenance. Also, don’t forget to trim the grass and add some mulch if necessary.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
We cannot understate the importance of regular maintenance in your rental property. Both tenants and landlords must participate in periodic cleaning to ensure comfort and habitability. Check out just some of the reasons regular preventative maintenance is essential below.
- It’s cost-effective: Routine maintenance allows you to spot issues around the house like house spiders in Florida. If you can address some problems when they’re small and prevent them from escalating, you can save money in the long run.
- Improved tenant satisfaction: Broken AC units, leaking taps, and dirty windows can make everyday life an inconvenience. However, regular maintenance helps you resolve issues and keep your rental property comfortable and working properly. A focus on maintenance shows tenants that owners care about their property and the comfort of the residents.
- It increases property value: Clearing gutters and cleaning floors can go a long way in protecting your home’s value. It helps make your home more attractive, but also maintaining great condition means securing the home’s value and retaining existing tenants.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to get elbow deep in your rental property’s maintenance. Over 70% of the country participates in this activity each year because a clean environment has several benefits. It can boost your immune system by removing allergens, improving your mood, and making your home more efficient.
However, a deep cleaning can seem like an enormous challenge to undertake. It helps to have a spring cleaning checklist for rental properties. Such a list should include the supplies you’ll need and specific tasks for each room, like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. After all, you’re less likely to forget something when you have a checklist.
Conclusion
Spring cleaning is essential routine maintenance both property owners and tenants must undertake. A clean and organized house functions efficiently, saves money, and improves the residents’ welfare. If you need help maintaining your home, reach out to a professional property manager that can carry out your spring cleaning checklist.
