The cost to maintain a home has risen sharply over the past few years. On average, homeowners are paying $1,180 a month in hidden home maintenance costs, according to research from Zillow and Thumbtack. These increases are due in part to the rise in material costs as well as labor shortages across the trades.
There are ways to hedge against these price increases, however. The key is to be proactive. Preventative maintenance can help keep systems and building materials functioning effectively, so as to avoid larger issues from occurring when they fail. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management program offers a range of preventative maintenance solutions to homeowners across Greenwich, CT. Hear are a few of them:
One of the preventative maintenance tasks that our Greenwich property management team provides is seasonal roof and window inspections. Careful review of these surfaces will help identify any missing or damages shingles or flashing, rot on windows and trim, and any other issues that could allow water to enter the house. Since many of these surfaces are out of site, inspections are key to accessing high and out of reach areas.
The idea is to fix problems before they become bigger issues. For example, cracked flashing, if left unattended, can allow water to enter the house. Once this happens, mold can grow and wood can rot. And since water issues are often out of site, behind walls, or in the eves, catching issues is critical.
Servicing generators and HVAC equipment on a yearly basis (once for heat and once for AC) provides our Greenwich property management crew the opportunity to inspect the system closely. By doing so we can help identify worn out parts that may need to be replaced to avoid the system from breaking down and causing larger issues. In addition, tasks like cleaning the evaporator coils, changing out the filters, and clearing blocked drain lines will help the equipment run at peak efficiency.
When basement flooding occurs it’s important that your sump pump is functioning properly. Regular inspections can help identify issues to ensure that the equipment is always in proper working order. If the sump pump was to fail, the cost and inconvenience of water damage to the home could become a major problem.
Although cost is a factor when it comes to fire events, the real concern here is safety. A single spark from the heating element can ignite lint that’s built up inside of a dryer vent. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), dryer fires are responsible for approximately 15,600 structure fires, 400 injuries and 15 deaths annually. Furthermore, dryer fires are responsible for over $100 million in property losses each year. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team deals with dryer vent issues regularly. Having them cleaned is a critical part of any preventative home maintenance plan.
Smoke detectors do their job well; however, they will not perform their critical duty if they are not in working order. 3 out of 5 residential fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarm, or smoke alarms that fail to operate, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Many of us don’t think about them. As a result, years can go by without testing or replacing smoke detectors.
As part of our Greenwich Property Management program, we check fire and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they are functioning properly. And we will replace the equipment when needed. Alarm sensors can wear out and so it is recommended that they be replaced every 10 years, and checked at least once per year.
Managing the numerous trades required to handle preventative maintenance tasks is often a time consuming and frustrating process. This is why Greenwich homeowners rely on Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management program. We handle all of your preventative maintenance requirements. Having one contact for all of these tasks not only makes life easier, it can also help save you from unexpected costs in the future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Those of us familiar with Fairfield County, CT winters know that the season can be brutal on our homes, particularly in coastal towns like Greenwich, Westport, and Fairfield. Most of the time damage from the snow, freezing rain, ice, and cold temperatures is caused slowly, out of site. To avoid issues it’s important to prepare your house for winter before the harsh weather sets in. Some of these home maintenance tasks can be accomplished by homeowners; others are best handled by a residential property management team that provides handyman services.
Buttoning Up Your Building Envelope
When water ends up in the wrong places it can cause big problems including rot and mold. To avoid water issues from rain, sleet and melting snow and ice, you’ll want to make sure water is effectively flowing away from the house. The first line of defense is drainage. Start by cleaning your gutters, or have your handyman service do so. Remove all debris then test each downspout to make sure they are flowing, as they should. If you have basement flooding issues, or basement water problems of any kind, make sure the gutter downspouts extend at least four feet beyond the foundation.
Inspection and Repair of Your Roof
The roof is one of the most critical elements to shore up during residential winter preparation. Prepping the roof starts with a thorough inspection. You’ll want to make sure there are no loose or missing shingles, the gutters are secured to the structure and not damaged, and that the flashing is properly fastened and in good condition. If you live on a wooded lot, like many Fairfield County residents do, make sure there are no low hanging tree limbs over the house, as they may break with the weight of heavy snow and ice and cause damage to the roof. Also, check for potential signs of leaks in the roof by inspecting the attic for mold, damaged insulation, and/or water stains.
Roof inspection and repair is one step that is probably best handled by an experienced handyman service or residential property management company. They’ll be able to not only identify issues, but also make necessary home repairs. Making sure the proper steps are taken by hiring a home maintenance professional can mean the difference between a small home repair now and a major carpentry project in the future.
Standard Yearly Home Maintenance
The major mechanical systems of your home require yearly maintenance. When it comes to winter prep one of the most important systems to service will be your HVAC. Having your furnace cleaned and inspected each year is critical to keeping it in good working order, and doing so will help you avoid larger issues down the line. A trusted HVAC professional can help you here.
If you have a sump pump make sure the system is fully operational by testing the backflow valves and making sure the discharge pipe is unobstructed. If you have a radon removal system that uses a carbon filter make sure the filter is changed out if it’s due. Also, make sure that your chimney has been cleaned before using the fireplace–and carefully inspect the exterior of the chimney to ensure there are no cracks or leaks. Lastly, if you’re due for a septic cleaning it’s best to get that done before the snow piles up on the yard.
Shore up Your Plumbing
Frozen pipes can be an issue when really low temperatures set in. To help avoid pipes from freezing you’ll want to make sure they are properly insulated, and that insulation has not degraded or been removed by animals. Plumbing that runs along outside walls should receive particular attention, as they will be more exposed to the cold.
Have your water heater inspected to make sure it’s’ working properly to avoid a breakdown when you need it the most. And it’s never a bad idea to have your garbage disposal checked to ensure it doesn’t break down while your preparing your holiday meals.
Protecting Shoreline Area & Waterfront Homes
For Fairfield County residents in shoreline towns like Fairfield, Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, and Westport, certain property maintenance steps will be even more important. Shoreline areas typically see stronger winds and driving rain. As a result these residents should take special care when inspecting shingles, flashing and chimneys. They should also keep a close eye on tree limbs that are near to the house. And proper drainage will be essential for high water table areas that are more prone to basement flooding.
Undertaking thorough winter property maintenance can require a range of experienced professionals. A trusted residential property management company that provides handyman services can take the entire process off your shoulders. At Greenwich Home Management we have a full team of trusted, experienced home maintenance pros at our fingertips to handle the entirety of your winter preparation needs, as well as your year round maintenance needs. Contact us to learn more.
