When the question of property maintenance comes up, be sure to put major appliances in your property management plan. Quality appliances present as a noticeable future expense while also appealing to the potential renters of your Gonzales rental properties. When appliances are not properly maintained, they may fail faster and require replacement more frequently.
There are simple tips that landlords and tenants can use to prolong the life of the appliances in your rental homes. By going through a few simple precautionary procedures, you can rest assured that each appliance lives up to its full potential. The first thing you can do to keep an appliance running is to– believe it or not– read the appliance’s manual. A good landlord will provide a copy of all appliance manuals and encourage their tenants to read them.
For individual appliances, basic maintenance greatly improves longevity. Take as an example, refrigerators need their gaskets and coils cleaned on a regular basis. The gaskets are the plastic strip that forms the seal around the refrigerator door. To prevent gapping, take time to wipe down the gaskets a few times a year. Cleaning the coils is also straightforward; just remove the cover and vacuum or use a soft bristle brush. If your refrigerator has filters built-in, it would be helpful to create a schedule to replace these for your renters. This would ensure that it actually gets done properly and on a regular basis.
Dishwashers also need to be maintained periodically and it’s really easy to clean the gasket with soap and water. This helps the appliance stay watertight. Check the filter regularly and remove any debris. You should also make sure your dishwasher is level with the floor. The vibrations from an unbalanced dishwasher could hurt your dishes and even damage the machine itself. In addition to mechanical servicing, running a hot water cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner every few months will also extend your dishwasher’s lifespan.
On the topic of washers and dryers, proper use helps a great deal to maintain the quality of the units. The number one culprit for reduced performance and breakdowns is overloading the machines. Loads that are too big places excessive strain on the motor, belts, and transmission, leading to rapid wear and tear. Tell your tenants to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about load size. Along with that, you have to check the dryer vents and clean them periodically to avoid buildup. When lint and debris get stuck in the external vent, it can lead to motor or thermostat failure. And a clogged vent also creates a serious fire hazard. We recommend double checking the vents each time you replace the filters.
These maintenance tasks may be very simple, but they add up and would require considerable time and effort. Telling renters to help is where you can start, but the problem is making sure that they actually do them. Instead, save yourself the headaches and wasted time and money; engage the services of the experts at Real Property Management Baton Rouge. We give regular property evaluations and maintenance services that include large appliance care, and this lengthens the lifespan of all major appliances and reduces your costs. Please contact us online or call us at 225-389-6860 to learn more.
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