Managing a home in Greenwich, CT can almost be a full time job. Greenwich property management tasks such as power washing the patio, painting the house, or putting away patio furniture are hard to ignore, but there are several home maintenance needs that do. At Duffy Home Solutions our Greenwich property management team has put together a list of tasks that should be done on a regular basis to keep your appliances, mechanical equipment and home working efficiently and effectively.
Enrolling in our property management program can ensure these items are taken care of for you. Following are a few key home maintenance initiatives to keep an eye on.
Tree limbs can cause a lot of damage if they fall on the house, auxiliary buildings, or other plantings or trees. And overgrown shrubs that are too close to the house can inhibit airflow and lead to mold and/or rot on siding. The property management team at Greenwich Home Management can inspect the entire property at least once per year to determine if any trees need to be trimmed or plantings need to be trimmed or moved.
Some homeowners don’t realize that inspecting and cleaning the HVAC system is critical to helping mechanical equipment operate at peak efficiency. In addition, this yearly home maintenance task can help equipment last longer. And finding and fixing minor issues can help avoid larger breakdowns before they become bigger, more expensive problems. AC systems should be inspected and cleaned once per year, around May. Heating system yearly maintenance should be completed around October.
Putting this task off could reduce the life span of your refrigerator. Condenser coils run across the bottom or back of the unit. Over time they collect dust and pet hair. This clogs the vents and limits airflow. As a result the unit has to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. The fridge will then use more energy and more strain will be put on the mechanical components. Cleaning refrigerator coils is the type of chore that homeowners often avoid. That’s where Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management services come in. Tasks like this can be part of your regular, ongoing home maintenance plan.
One of the leading causes of hot water heater failure is not draining the tank at least once per year. Sediment can settle at the bottom of the tank. When left in, the sediment can corrode the tank and cause it to leak. When the tank is full of sediment the equipment also has to work harder. This puts strain on the system that can reduce the life span of the unit.
Hot water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod inside the tank. It works by attracting corrosive elements away from other parts of the tank. The anode rod should be inspected regularly and replaced once it becomes significantly deteriorated. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team recommends inspecting hot water heaters once per year. During the inspecting we drain the tank and inspect the anode rod.
There’s nothing like relaxing in front of the fire on a cold winter day. Avoiding chimney cleaning, however, could result in a serious safety issue. Over time wood burning fires deposit soot and creosote inside the lining of the chimney. These elements are highly flammable. Too much buildup could cause a chimney fire. We recommend cleaning the chimney once per year.
Most know to clean the dryer lint trap after each run. This allows airflow to effectively move through the dryer. The equipment has to work harder and takes longer to dry clothes when clogged. The same rule applies to the vent pipe itself. Lint can build up inside the pipe. This restricts airflow as it works to push air out. More importantly, a dryer vent full of lint can be a serious safety issue. Lint is extremely flammable and can ignite while the machine is running. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team cleans dryer vents by using special brushes with a long extension.
Making sure your home is properly maintained will help the investments that you make last longer, and keep things running more efficiently. Some homeowners keep lists of essential home maintenance tasks to check off throughout the year. For those that would rather spend their free time being with family and friends, Duffy Home Solutions offers full service property management services for Greenwich Homeowners. We provide one point of contact for all of your home maintenance needs.
Keeping up with regular property maintenance can be a chore, but staying on top of it can help avoid bigger issues down the line. Our Greenwich, CT area handyman pros and trade experts put together a list of items that should be completed throughout the year. By staying on top of these items you’ll extend the life of your equipment and systems. You’ll also feel good knowing that your home is taken care of.
Fire and carbon monoxide issues, although relatively rare, are real threats to you safety and property. Stay safe by testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and inspecting fire extinguishers on a regular basis. To test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors check with the manufacturers instructions for the exact steps to take. Typically they are equipped with test buttons that are easy to operate. To inspect your fire extinguisher first check the gauges needle to ensure it indicates proper pressure. Secondly lift the extinguisher to make sure it is still full. And always make sure that it’s unobstructed.
Obstructed air vents can lead to moisture and mold issues. Sometimes these types of problems occur out of site. To avoid issues your monthly home maintenance program should consist of a thorough inspection of gable, ridge, and other vents. Check to make sure that boxes or other items are not blocking airflow.
Clogged filters can lead to poor performance and make equipment work harder by restricting proper air and water flow. This can shorten the life of some systems. Check your HVAC, range hood and water system filters to make sure they remain clean. Clean or replace them if needed per the instructions on the filter or packaging.
Maintaining your roof is one of the most critical property maintenance tasks. A residential property management company may be required to handle this one. To ensure that the roof stays watertight, shingles and flashing should be inspected. Replace or repair missing, worn or damaged materials. Also inspect the vents on the exterior to ensure there are no issues that may restrict airflow. And make sure there are no tree limbs hanging over the roof. They can break off and cause damage.
Remove debris from gutters and test the downspouts to make sure they are flowing properly. Inspect the gutters and replace or repair any damaged or missing parts that would affect water flow. On the ground make sure that water is flowing away from the house by inspecting the runoff areas under each gutter. Downspouts that are connected to underground drains should be attached securely at the base of the connection. And make sure that slabs on the ground under downspouts are in good condition and tilting away from the foundation.
A professional residential property management company should service your central AC units each year. The springtime is a good time to do this. Your HVAC professional will clean the system, inspect the controls and replace or clean the filters. These inspections are critical to keeping your HVAC system running at peak efficiency and will make the equipment last longer.
Rotting wood and crumbling stone and concrete can lead to safety and water issues. Inspect the siding, trim, walkways, foundation and retaining walls. Make sure there are no cracks, rot or missing pieces. If there are issues you may want to bring in a property management company to help complete the repairs.
To help avoid any rotting issues inspect stained and painted surfaces and refinish the decking, siding, trim and/or outdoor furniture if needed. It can be easy to let these projects go another year, but exposed wood can lead to rot, and that will be a bigger job down the line.
Homeowners typically have their chimney cleaned in the fall. Doing it in the summer, however, gives you a better chance of getting an appointment before the fall rush. Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned once each year if used regularly. A chimney professional will inspect the firebox, liners, flue and smoke chamber to ensure there are no cracks or issues. He will also inspect the exterior to make sure the masonry and flashing is in good condition.
Having your furnace inspected is a critical yearly maintenance task. This is one task that requires a property maintenance professional. They’ll have a licensed HVAC specialist on staff that can clean and inspect the system. Doing so will keep the equipment working at peak efficiency. It will also help to extend the life of your furnace.
If you’ve been considering replacing your windows, fall is a good time to do so before the weather turns cold. Today’s energy efficient windows are made so well that some manufacturers claim a 30 percent energy savings when replacing non-efficient types. Different manufactures and models have different performance ratings, so consult a professional to help guide you.
It’s always a good idea to winterize outdoor water faucets, pipes and irrigation systems. Frozen outdoor plumbing can lead to burst pipes. To winterize start by disconnecting, draining and storing your outdoor hoses. If the faucets have a shut off valve indoors make sure to turn those off. To winterize irrigation and sprinkler lines, drain the lines and turn off the water supply to the system.
Cleaning the condenser coils on your refrigerator can help it run more efficiency. When the coils are clogged with dust and dirt they can’t release heat as efficiently. As a result the unit not only functions less efficiently, but also works harder. This can decrease the lifespan of the equipment. Coils can typically be found on the back or on the front at the bottom. Pull off the protective grate and vacuum the coils with a brush attachment. Special refrigerator coil brush attachments are also available for vacuums.
Clearing snow doesn’t end with a plowed driveway and shoveled walkway. When storms hit you’ll want to make sure gas meters and access to oil lines are clear. When snow and ice accumulate around gas meters it can cause a dangerous buildup of gas that can leak into the home. And the oil company will need to access your lines, so make sure to keep a pathway snow and ice free. Also, keep an eye on exterior vents to make sure they are not blocked by snow and ice.
This list covers some of the basics of home maintenance. Maintaining your home year round requires a lot of vigilance and some know how. To help ease the burden, and ensure that these tasks are being done correctly, consider hiring a residential property management company. At Greenwich Home Management we have trained and licensed professionals in all trades on staff as well as essential handyman services. Having a trusted professional to handle these efforts will provide piece of mind for your family.
The best way to protect your home, likely your biggest investment, is through preventative maintenance. What may be only a small problem now could develop into a disaster down the road. And the time and cost of preventative care is only a fraction of what you might have to spend if you neglect it. Here's a checklist of tasks that we recommend for every home as the Autumn season sets in.
For assistance with these or any other home maintenance or repair tasks contact us.
