Norfolk renters! Keep in mind the minor home maintenance tasks that must be done to keep your rental home in great condition. By dealing with these tasks routinely, you’ll help avoid costly repairs down the road and ensure that you have a good relationship with your landlord. This blog post will review ten minor maintenance tasks every renter must complete!
- Change Ceiling Fan Direction. During the hot summer months, you can enjoy a refreshing breeze by turning your ceiling fan counterclockwise. During the colder months, the clockwise rotation will help draw warm air from the ceiling. Twice a year, turn your ceiling fan in the opposite way to help your HVAC system run more effectively and reduce your monthly energy costs.
- Clean Exhaust Fans. Your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans play an essential role in pulling moisture and odors out of your home. It is important to clean them every month to keep them working To do this, simply remove the cover and clean it with a vacuum attachment to get rid of dust or debris.
- Caulk Around Bathroom Fixtures. Inspect the caulking around your bathroom fixtures. It needs to be replaced if it is cracked, peeling, or missing in spots. Cracked or missing caulk can cause mold to spread. However, prevention is something you can do yourself, and it won’t take long. Simply add new caulk around the base of each fixture with some caulk and a putty knife.
- Clear Drains. Clogged drains are not only an inconvenience, but they can also cause water damage. To prevent this from happening, be sure to clear your drains every month. You can do this by removing hair clogs, pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, and then a cup of vinegar. After an hour, flush with hot water to remove any residue.
- Drain Water Heater. As the water heats up, it expands and can cause sediment to stack up in your water heater. This can bring about corrosion and decreased efficiency. To avoid this problem, be sure to drain your water heater every year. You can do this by attaching a garden hose to the drainage valve and draining it into a bucket or floor drain. Regular water heater maintenance can help ensure you have plenty of hot water all year round.
- Clean Off Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit. Your outdoor air conditioning unit must be clear of debris to work properly. Be sure to clean off your unit every month, removing any leaves, dirt, or other accumulated debris.
- Change HVAC Filters. Your HVAC system’s filters play an important role in keeping your air clean and your home comfortable. To keep them working properly, be sure to change them every three months. You can easily do this by purchasing replacement filters at your local hardware store.
- Clean Blinds and Windows. Dust and dirt can stack up on your blinds and windows, making them look unclean and affecting their ability to function well. To maintain their best appearance, be sure to clean them every month. You can perform this by dusting with a microfiber cloth or using a vacuum attachment to remove any accumulated dirt or debris that has settled on the surface.
- Check for Pests. Pests can not only be a nuisance, but they can also cause damage to your home. To avoid this from transpiring, you need to check for pests every month and take action if you see any. You can do this by visually inspecting your home and looking for any signs of pests such as droppings or nests. If you see any, be sure to contact your Norfolk property manager. Afterward, if necessary, they might work with professional pest control to eliminate the problem.
- Basic Appliance Maintenance. Basic appliance maintenance is vital to keep your appliances functioning well. To accomplish this, clean your oven and refrigerator every month. You can also vacuum the coils on your fridge and dust the interior of your oven to prevent build-up. Furthermore, you need to run a self-cleaning cycle on your oven once every three months.
Beyond basic maintenance, other items in your rental home may need professional support. As an illustration, if you experience electrical issues, water leaks, or other concerns, report these to your landlord so that an experienced service tech can be dispatched to fix the problem.
Regular maintenance can help prevent costly repairs in the future and keep your landlord happy. For all these reasons, don’t forget to add these tasks to your monthly checklist and cross them off as you go!
Do you want to find a new rental home? It’s possible that Real Property Management Complete may provide what you’re searching for! Browse our listings online to see our inventory.
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