When it comes to maintenance there’s a saying that goes, “You can either schedule the maintenance… or… the maintenance WILL schedule you!” In a perfect world, nothing would break down and properties would be little boxes that spit out cash without having to reinvest in them. Well, unfortunately this is not the case. House systems breaking down is inevitable. However, there are certain items that are routine and being strategic about when these get scheduled throughout the year will make it easier for all parties involved and as well as guarantee that these get completed. If a property has a feature and/or amenity that requires servicing, the following is the annual schedule for our company as to when that feature and/or amenity will get serviced.
JANUARY
- Pest Control: The most common item for is quarterly service. A common service for this will be checking traps for rodents for multi-family properties or properties that are close to canyons where it’s closer to wildlife.
- Annual HVAC Tune Up: For peak performance and to maintain the life expectancy, HVAC systems must be serviced annually.
- Air Filter Replacement: We work with the vendor, Second Nature, which mails the residents the required air filters (as many as the property will have) to the property twice a year in January and July.
FEBRUARY
- Water Softener Salt: Properties with water softeners require a steady supply of salt to fill the tank. However, the salt required usually comes in 40-pound bags which can be found at a local Home Depot. To maintain the system, it’s in an owner’s best interest to provide a household with an annual supply of salt (approximately twelve bags, one per month) so that the resident has the salt needed to fill the tank as needed. This is a simple work order that can be given to a handyman where the handyman will pick up, deliver and stack the bags neatly in the garage for ease of use.
MARCH
- Dryer Vent Cleaning: Lint is highly flammable and accumulates in a dryer duct over time making it a fire hazard. Most properties will have short ducts in length (five feet or less) which can easily be cleaned by hand. However, depending on the configuration of the property the length of the duct may be over 15 feet and vent to the roof, side of the property or go underneath the property before venting to the exterior. If the length of the dryer duct is over 5 feet it will need to be professionally cleaned to remove all lint. If the properties’ duct length is over 5 feet we will note the file. We clean all dryer vents that are over 5 feet every other year on odd years.
- Palm Trees: Palm trees need to be trimmed twice a year as the fronds can make a large mess and possibly be a hazard to the property and/or residents. If a property has palm trees, these get trimmed in March & September.
APRIL
- Pest Control: Second quarter is here! If needed, it is time for the quarterly pest control service.
- Clean Built-In Fridge Coils: If the property has a built-in fridge, it will have coils that are part of the fridge which get dust and need to be professionally cleaned to prevent a breakdown of the system and expensive repairs or part replacements.
MAY
- Flushing Tankless Water Heater: Per the manufacturer’s recommendations, tankless water heaters should be flushed out once a year to maintain the life expectancy of the water heater.
JUNE
JULY
- Pest Control: Third quarter is here! If needed, it is time for the quarterly pest control service.
- Air Filter Replacement: We work with the vendor, Second Nature, which mails the residents the required air filters (as many as the property will have) to the property twice a year in January and July.
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
- Tree Trimming: For trees that need trimming, industry best practices is to initiate this process in September as the weather will have cooled down. Depending on the type of tree and how fast it grows this may be annual or as needed. September is the month to address any trimming.
- Palm Trees: Palm trees need to be trimmed twice a year as the fronds can make a large mess and possibly be a hazard to the property and/or residents. If a property has palm trees, these get trimmed in March & September.
OCTOBER
- Pest Control: Fourth quarter is here! If needed, it is time for the quarterly pest control service.
NOVEMBER
- Fruit Trees: Though fruit trees are trees, they are not as hardy as other trees. September may still be a bit too warm for these to be trimmed. Best practices are to trim these in colder months. For the health of the tree these are to be trimmed in November.
DECEMBER
- Termite Inspection: If the property has previously been treated for termites by tenting, then keeping tabs on the property is crucial to catch and treat any termite areas in a reasonable time. We will dispatch the termite vendor to perform an annual inspection in the month of December for any property previously tented and address any issues as needed.
CONCLUSION
Making sure these items get completed is key in maintaining the health of each property!
