Maintenance might not be your favorite task as a property owner. But, taking care of your rental properties with regular maintenance and upkeep can help you avoid costly repairs or breakdowns when neglected.
Below, you’ll find a checklist of the seasonal maintenance tasks that property owners should perform throughout the year. You may be able to handle some of these tasks on your own on a free evening or weekend. However, make sure to contact a professional if you need some backup to get these tasks completed.
Fall Maintenance
The cooler fall weather is often the perfect time to perform home maintenance. Much of fall maintenance includes one-time tasks to help you prepare your properties for the colder weather. This might include:
- Servicing heating systems to prepare for colder weather
- Checking the weatherstripping in the windows and doors for better energy efficiency
- Trimming trees to prevent storm damage
- Aerating the lawn
- Cleaning out areas beneath decks/patios.
- Flushing your water heater to remove sediment buildup
- Inspecting the roof and making repairs to prevent leaks
- Hiring a chimney sweeper to clear out flues, where applicable
- Winterizing sprinkler systems and outdoor water hookups
Winter Maintenance
Winter maintenance can be pretty hands-off in Southern California compared to other parts of the country. However, there are some things you can do before and throughout the season to keep your property in good shape, like:
- Inspecting for leaks and water damage after a storm
- Replacing the filter on heating systems
- Covering or storing outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements
Spring Maintenance
Spring cleaning can help get your property in good condition for the summertime. This is when you might complete some of the more intensive exterior maintenance tasks that you put off during the colder months. Spring maintenance can include:
- Raking leaves
- Weeding the lawn and flower beds
- Clearing gutters to prevent leak-causing blockages
- Inspecting the exterior for cracks in the foundation or driveway
- Checking for peeling or chipping exterior paint
- Cleaning dryer vents
- Getting HVAC systems serviced before temperatures rise
- Starting up your sprinkler system
Summer Maintenance
Depending on the landscaping of your property, there might be some additional summer maintenance tasks you’ll need to complete each week aside from the standard items you should tackle at the start of the season, such as:
- Mowing the lawn and basic groundskeeping
- Watering plants and flowers
- Replacing A/C unit filters regularly
- Pest control
- Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
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Written by Bailey Schramm