The leaves are starting to turn and it’s time to start thinking about buttoning up the property for winter. It’s always sad to see the summer go, but making sure your property maintenance needs are taken care of will ensure your home stays looking and functioning well through the winter and beyond. The Greenwich Home Management Property Management team is hard at work on fall maintenance projects that include winterizing water spigots, cleaning and storing outdoor furniture and cushions, and gutter cleaning, among others. Let’s take a look at some of the home maintenance projects you should be taking care of this time of year. 

Exterior Paint Touch Ups

The spring and summer months can cause paint to chip and peel. When left unattended these spots can lead to rot. Nip any potential issues in the bud by sanding, scraping, priming, and painting or staining these spots. This is the type of job that a homeowner can handle, but high spots require tall ladders, and severe peeling paint is most efficiently handled by power equipment. Greenwich Home Management has the equipment for these tricky and time-consuming projects.

Cleaning and Storing Outdoor Furniture

One of the most appreciated home maintenance tasks that the Greenwich Home Management Property Management Team handles for Greenwich, CT homeowners is the cleaning and storing of outdoor furniture and cushions. Mildew, dirt and even food spills can build up over the summer. It’s always a pleasure to have fresh, clean cushions in the springtime when it’s time to start enjoying outdoor spaces again.

Generator and HVAC Preventative Maintenance

Your boiler or furnace and your generator should be serviced yearly. Regular HVAC and generator maintenance will help ensure your most valuable home equipment is running at peak efficiency. Cleaning and maintaining these systems will also help prolong the life of the equipment and help avoid bigger mechanical issues down the line. When you’re a Greenwich Home Management Property Management client we schedule these appointments for you, and ensure that the best Greenwich, CT area maintenance professionals are taking care of the work.

Winterize Water Spigots and Hoses

Water left inside hoses and water spigots throughout the winter can freeze and crack the equipment. To avoid this issue it’s always a good idea to drain them around this time. If there are turn valves inside the basement for outdoor faucets, make sure to turn these off and then drain the pipe by opening the spigot until it runs dry. Drain hoses and then put them away in the basement, garage or storage shed. 

Clean Gutters and Inspect Downspouts

Clogged gutters can lead to serious issues. Water cannot properly drain when leafs and debris pile up inside gutters. When water cannot drain properly the gutters can overflow and damage the roof. Overflowing water can also pour down against the foundation, which can lead to flooding issues in the basement. Furthermore, debris can be a nesting place for rodents and bugs.

Gutter cleaning is a task typically handled by a home maintenance professional. The Greenwich Home Management Property Management team has the proper ladders to reach high spots. After cleaning the gutters we test the water flow of your downspouts to ensure they are not clogged. If they are clogged we will make sure to remove the blockage and restore proper flow.

Roof Inspection

It’s always a good idea to have your roof inspected to ensure that no issues are occurring in places that cannot be seen day to day. Inspections can uncover curling or missing shingles, damaged or missing flashing, and/or inadequate attic, eve and soffit ventilation. All of these potential issues, when left untreated, can lead to serious problems down the line. Points of entry for moisture can cause rot and mold. Greenwich Home Management provides full roof inspections to give you peace of mind as we move into winter.

Conclusion

Fall is a special time of year in Greenwich, CT. As we think about moving into winter, tackling these jobs now will help you rest easy when the snow starts falling. But we know you’re busy, and want to spend time with family and friends. When you sign up for the Greenwich Home Management Property Management program, all of your home maintenance needs can be taken care of, year round. We employ the most trusted pros in the Greenwich area to ensure your home maintenance needs are not only taken care of, but taken care of the right way.

Dealing with property management projects can be time consuming and costly. Waiting them out, however, can lead to even larger jobs with higher costs. In and around the Greenwich, CT area the ever-changing weather constantly tests our homes. Fairfield County, CT climates bring heavy rains, heat, cold, snow, ice, and wind. These elements put strain on your HVAC system, erode roofing and siding, etc. Keeping up with maintenance can save you in the long run, whether you do the work yourself or employ a residential property management company. The following projects require attention before they lead to bigger issues.

Frozen Pipes

You may have had frozen pipe issues in the past that were fixed by simply thawing them with a hair dryer. Some, however, don’t get so lucky and the pipes burst. Frozen water inside of plumbing causes water pressure to build up behind the blockage. That pressure can split the pipe. When this happens rooms can flood, leading to major cleanup and repair costs. To avoid this issue make sure that all susceptible plumbing is properly insulated or moved to a different space. Water pipes that run along outside walls are more apt to freeze. Adding rigid foam insulation behind these pipes and/or wrapping the pipe in heating tape is a good preventative measure. And it’s always a good idea to raise the thermostat a bit when long cold spells set in.

HVAC Maintenance 

Regularly maintaining your heating and air conditioning systems is one of the most important maintenance steps to take as a homeowner. Doing so will help you avoid more costly breakdowns later. This type of work typically requires the skill and experience of a residential property management company. Their HVAC professionals are licensed to conduct regular maintenance as well as any repairs. Furnaces should be inspected and cleaned once per year in later summer of early fall. Central air conditioning units should be inspected yearly in late winter or early spring. Regular maintenance of HVAC systems can reduce the risk of major, costly breakdowns by as much as 95 percent. In addition it can help extend the life of your equipment and keep the systems running more efficiently. Furthermore, regular maintenance is required by some manufacturers to ensure the equipment remains under warranty.

Paint and Stain

It’s easy to put house painting or deck staining off. These are big jobs that often come with a hefty price tag. Delaying, however, can lead to a more costly job down the line. And it doesn’t take long for issues to creep up. When paint is peeling or chipping the wood will be exposed. Water can quickly cause rot on siding, decking and trim. Keep an eye on your painted and stained surfaces. Although a full paint job may not always be required, it’s best to clean, sand and paint sections that have considerable peeling or fading. For a larger painting project you may want to talk to a property management company. A thorough job completed by a professional should last for several years.

Damp Basements

If your basement has a musty smell, or you can visibly see water entering the space, it’s best to act fast. Taking care of the issue right away will help you avoid mold and rot. Water can destroy insulation, trim, plaster and sheetrock, flooring, subflooring, and floor joists. To help pinpoint the issue, your home maintenance service should conduct a thorough inspection of the basement interior as well as the property surrounding the foundation. Pooling rainwater against the foundation is a typical cause of wet basements. This can occur when the land is not graded properly and/or effective drainage is not in place. Your property management professional will make sure that gutter downspouts are releasing away from the foundation. They will also make sure that land does not slope towards the house. If this is the case you may need to re-grade or add additional ground drains to redirect the water.

Water Marks on Walls or Ceiling

Water in the walls or ceiling is typically a sign of a leaking roof. Another issue, however, could be siding or window leaks. A third possibility is a leaking pipe in the walls. If the water spots are constant it is likely a plumbing issue. When they are more pronounced during and/or after heavy rains then it’s probably an exterior issue. If you suspect an exterior issue your maintenance professional should inspect the roofing material, flashing, and gutters. It’s possible that the roofing is in good shape, but the flashing has been eroded or damage from a storm. It’s also possible that the flashing or gutters were not properly installed, which could lead to issues. Interior inspections should be conducted by opening up a small section of the wall or ceiling, where the water mark appears. Look for leaky plumbing, and/or follow the trail of water to identify the source of the leak. Although it’s never fun to confront a home maintenance issue, waiting to solve the problem can make things worse. Homeowners can handle some of these maintenance tasks, but for the bigger jobs it makes sense to bring in a property management company. This way you know the job will be done the right way using the appropriate materials. And when you’re enrolled in a property management program they’ll keep an eye on your home all year long.