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 and Overgrown Plantings

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.

HVAC Inspection and Cleaning

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.

Cleaning Refrigerator Condenser Coils

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.

Draining The Hot Water Heater

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.

Inspecting The Hot Water Heater Anode Rod

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.

Chimney Cleaning

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.

Cleaning the Dryer Vent

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.

In Conclusion

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.

This is an unusual time for us all. Like many you’re probably trying to figure out how to juggle family, work, and home tasks. Although some projects can be put on hold, certain home maintenance needs will require attention. Many New York City residents are coming to their second homes in Greenwich, CT to avoid the city. As a result we’re seeing an uptick in demand for properties that need to be ready for full time occupancy. So how should you approach residential property management during this time? Following are some ideas on how to keep your family and your home maintenance professionals healthy.

Maintenance Project Types

At Greenwich Home Management we provide residential property management services. As a result we dispatch the full range of home maintenance professionals. During this time of year in Greenwich, CT we are starting to handle outdoor work, such as spring-cleaning, masonry, and pool installs and openings. These workers pose lower health risk than others that need to be indoors. Indoor projects, of course, still require attention. When it comes to AC maintenance, appliance repair and plumbing issues, you’ll want to take additional care.

Communication

If you plan to have workers on your property it’s important to maintain close, remote communication with your property management company to ensure certain protocol can be implemented. You should feel comfortable asking questions and providing any guidelines that you feel are necessary to maintain the health of your family. In addition you may need to let your management team know when you want certain work to be done. And always inform crews before hand if you have someone in the house that is showing signs of sickness.

Taking The Necessary Health Precautions

At Greenwich Home Management we are taking a range of precautions daily. Before dispatching a handyman, HVAC repair professional or landscape crew to someone’s house we ensure that nobody has fever, cough or shortness of breath. We instruct our crews to handle only the tools and equipment needed to accomplish the job. In addition our crew will regularly be using hand sanitizer, thoroughly washing hands, and avoiding contact with mouth, eyes and nose. We also employ facemasks and booties to cover footwear.

The New England Journal of Medicine states that coronaviruses do not survive well on clothing surfaces. As a result it is unlikely that a worker would carry the virus on their clothes into a home.

Maintaining Social Distancing

We are social animals and it’s instinctual to reach out and shake someone’s hand when they arrive up at your home. During this time, however, skip the handshake, and maintain six feet of distance to work crew. In some instances you may be more comfortable leaving instructions with your property management company that allows them to enter the home on their own.

At Greenwich Home Management our residential property management services are set up well for this type of situation. You have one point of contact for all of your home maintenance needs. And your management contact will have key access to allow workers into the home if needed. If it makes you more comfortable we can let the tradesman into the home even if you are there. This way you can avoid any potential contact.  And we can work closely with you to establish schedules that you’re comfortable with.

Home Office Considerations

Many Greenwich residents are now working from home. As a result a home office space needs to be fully functional. For those using weekend homes, dedicated offices may not be in place. And of course the kids are home now full time. This all leads to more usage of equipment and appliances as well as special requirements that may need maintenance and/or setup. Your property management company can help you establish a comfortable workspace.

Planning for Spring Maintenance

It’s spring and so there are likely several projects that need to be completed. And of course things always come up unexpectedly. To help make the process easier during this stressful time, our property management team can tackle all of your spring maintenance needs. These may include AC tune-up and cleaning, spring yard cleanup, roof repair, wet basement issues, driveway repair, gutter cleaning, etc.

In Conclusion

Making smart decisions when it comes to social distancing can make all the difference in this unique situation. Our Greenwich, CT residential property management team will do our part to help keep you and your family healthy. Eventually we’ll get through this and we’ll do it by working together.

If you’re ready to call in a pro to help with regularly maintaining your Greenwich, CT area property there are several things to consider to ensure you’ll get the most out of the relationship. Residential property management companies can help with small projects that can be managed by a handyman or they can bring in pros year round to service and maintain every part of the home. By going this rout you have one point of contact for plumbing, HVAC, roofing, plowing, landscaping and all other trades. At Greenwich Home Management we handle everything from changing light bulbs to installing a new home theater system.

Understanding the Process

Before you hire a residential property management company, be prepared with questions so that you have a firm grasp on what to expect. The following questions will help:

How do you charge?

You’ll want to know how you’ll be billed. Ask if the fees will be based on an hourly rate or per project. A good home maintenance company will typically bill monthly for general upkeep based on an agreed upon list of tasks. Ask ahead of time, however, how billing will work for projects that come up beyond the scope of the monthly or yearly program.

What Are My Payment Options?

Make sure to get an understanding of what form of payment is accepted. This can effect how you plan to manage your money. You may want to know if your property management company accepts credit cards, if they accept large installations up front, and/or what time of the month invoices will arrive and are due.

What are the Qualifications of Your Subcontractors?

The people that work under your contractors are just as important as the contractors themselves. Ask about subcontractor qualification and experience. Greenwich Home Management only hires trusted, experienced, skilled labor to handle client work. Fly by night operations or moonlighters should be avoided.

How Do I Provide Entry to My Home and Who Do I Come to With Issues & Questions?

You’ll want to have one point of contact for all work to be done. At Greenwich Home Management we provide a single source for communication. This individual will be the only person with key access to the home. At your discretion they allow trades to gain entry to the house and outbuildings when work needs to be completed. If you have any issues or questions at any time you can contact your maintenance rep for resolution.

What is your Experience With Obtaining Permits?

Permits are required for a range of different projects. You may want to build a new pool house or install a new HVAC system. Applying for and obtaining permits in Greenwich, CT and the surrounding area requires knowledge of the local system, regulations and experience in the range of fields. Be sure that your property management company has knowledge of the permitting process in your area.

Preparation

When hiring a reputable handyman and property management company you’ll be getting experienced professionals across the entire line of trades. To ensure this is that case you’ll want to prepare before hiring. Check licensing and insurance paperwork. Don’t chase the lowest price – oftentimes you get what you pay for. Ask for references from clients that have used the service in the past. And discuss how they plan to resolve any issues that may arise.

Additional preparation prior to meeting your home maintenance professional should include creating a list of short and long-term projects as well as ongoing tasks that you’ll want help with. Consider the tasks for each season as you create the list and take a walk around your property to identify the areas that you would like help with. With the right help you’ll have more time to focus on the things that are most important to you.

Your central AC units use a considerable amount of energy. As the summer approaches the Greenwich, CT area it’s a good time to start thinking about how you can help keep your AC running as efficiently as possible. By doing so you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills. Start by taking steps to keep cool air from escaping your home. Your residential property management company can help you with some of the more complicated steps, but homeowners can handle some of these efforts as well.

Key Benefits of Central AC

Let’s start by considering the key benefits of central air conditioning. Greenwich, CT summers can get very hot. This can pose a safety issue for elderly folks and young children. Air conditioners also provide better air quality inside the home by circulating and filtering pollutants. In addition, furniture, expensive drapery, artwork, and area rugs can be damaged overtime by exposure to high heat and humidity. Lastly, electronics can overheat in high temperatures.

Major Sources of Cool Air Loss

Poor insulation is a primary source of air loss. Older homes or converted spaces often have failing insulation and sometimes none at all. If you’re planning a renovation this is an excellent time to upgrade using the highest R-value material possible, such as spray-foam. Combine this with rigid foam panels on the exterior walls for a highly efficient space. And if your walls are hollow they can be insulated using blown in material. Windows play a significant role in air loss. Cool air from AC units can escape easily through outdated windows. Newer windows are designed with multiple glass panes. They are also sealed more effectively than older models. If you’re planning to replace windows before winter, consider the value of doing the work now to avoid the loss of cool air in the summer months. And make sure to fill any gaps that may exist around windows and doors. Window replacement is a big job that can be handled by a residential property management company. Other areas in the house that your property management company can help with include sealing the chimney in the offseason with a special balloon. Outlets and switches can be sealed with foam gaskets. And make sure crawl spaces, vents, fans and lighting fixtures are sealed properly.

Regular AC Servicing 

It’s essential to have your AC units serviced every year. Doing so will extend the life of your equipment, help avoid larger breakdowns in the future, and keep the system running at peak efficiency. Yearly inspection and tune-up servicing will include calibrating the thermostat, cleaning or replacing filters, cleaning blower components and condenser coils, monitoring refrigerant pressure, and more. Always have your property management company bring in a licensed HVAC professional for this task.

Additional Tricks for Keeping Cool Air Inside The Home

Summer heat comes pouring in through windows and glass doors. Consider closing blinds or curtains in rooms that are infrequently used. And do the same in spaces with large windows when the home is unoccupied for long periods of time. The position of your thermostat can actually cause your HVAC to work unnecessarily. If there are hot air pockets around the thermostat it may cause your AC to turn on sooner than it should. These air pockets can be caused by gaps around outlets, doors, or windows that are located close to the thermostat. This is one more reason to get these spaces filled.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are things that some homeowners do with their central AC units that should be avoided. For example you should never turn your thermostat down extremely low in hopes that it will cool the house quicker. The equipment will work at the same speed regardless of the temperature setting. You’ll end up bringing the temperature down too low and wasting energy. Another thing to avoid is using outdated technology, such as thermostats. Programmable thermostats allow you to set the unit to turn on and off automatically depending on the time of day. This will help avoid leaving the AC running by accident when you’re not in the house. And learning thermostats automatically adjust the temperature based on your behaviors. Central AC is must-have during Fairfield County, CT summers. Getting the most out of your equipment starts by taking steps to help them run efficiently. Bring in a residential property management company to help you with some or all of the steps discussed here. And then sit back and enjoy the cool air. 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.