Maintaining your rental home with regular upkeep can prevent costly repairs and help maintain a positive relationship with your landlord. Let’s dive into ten essential maintenance tasks every renter should incorporate into their routine.
- Change Ceiling Fan Direction. Switching the direction of your ceiling fan twice a year helps optimize airflow, with counterclockwise for summer and clockwise for winter. This small task helps regulate temperature and can help reduce your utility bills.
- Clean Exhaust Fans. Your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans are important in venting moisture and odors out of your home. To keep them functioning well, clean them every month. Use a vacuum to remove dust or debris from the fan cover to ensure good airflow.
- Caulk Around Bathroom Fixtures. Check the caulking around your bathroom fixtures regularly for cracks or missing sections. Cracked or missing caulk can cause mold to grow. But prevention is a quick and easy task that you can do yourself. Simply add new caulk around the base of each fixture with some caulk and a putty knife.
- Clear Drains. Clogged drains can lead to water damage and other plumbing problems. Clear your drains monthly by removing hair or using a mix of baking soda and vinegar to keep them from clogging.
- Drain Water Heater. As water heats up, it expands and can cause sediment to build up in your water heater. This can lead to corrosion and decreased efficiency. To prevent this from happening, be sure to drain your water heater every year. You can do this by attaching a garden hose to the drainage valve and emptying it into a bucket or floor drain. Regular water heater maintenance can help ensure you have plenty of hot water all year round.
- Clean Off Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit. Debris can accumulate on your outdoor air conditioning unit, making it work harder than necessary. Be sure to clean off any leaves, dirt, or debris each month to ensure efficient cooling.
- Change HVAC Filters. HVAC filters should be changed every three months to help your system work efficiently and maintain clean air inside your home. Replacing filters is an easy task that can improve both air quality and system performance.
- Clean Blinds and Windows. Blinds and windows collect dust over time, impacting their function and appearance. Clean them monthly with a microfiber cloth or vacuum attachment to keep them in top condition.
- Check for Pests. Pests can damage your rental home if left unchecked. Look for signs of pests monthly and contact your property manager if you suspect an infestation. Professional pest control may be required to handle the issue.
- Basic Appliance Maintenance. Basic appliance maintenance is essential to keep your appliances working properly. To do this, clean your oven and refrigerator every month. You can also vacuum the coils on your fridge and dust the interior of your oven to prevent build-up. Additionally, be sure to run a self-cleaning cycle on your oven once every three months.
Knowing When to Call a Professional
Some repairs, such as electrical issues or significant water leaks, require professional help. Report these issues to your landlord to ensure they’re addressed by an experienced technician.
Keeping up with these simple tasks can help you avoid costly repairs and maintain a positive relationship with your landlord. Add them to your monthly checklist to ensure everything stays in good working order.
Are you looking for a new rental home? Real Property Management Steel City has available listings in Cañon City. Browse our listings today and reach out with any questions!
Originally Published on Sep 16, 2022
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