Summer Home Maintenance Tasks Every Property Owner Should Know

With summer around the corner and kids out of school, everyone is thinking about making vacation plans to relax and enjoy the warm weather. As a result, the last thing you want to do as a landlord is throw a wrench in your tenants’ summer routine with emergency repairs that could’ve been avoided. That’s why we’ve put together this article on summer home maintenance tasks every property owner should know. Thus, if you want to avoid tending to fewer emergency calls in the middle of the stark heat, continue reading this article below to see our entire checklist.

Why is Summer a Good Time to Inspect and Maintain Properties?

Work under Favorable Weather Conditions

Make it easier to complete routine property maintenance without erratic weather conditions getting in the way. For example, if you are planning to repaint your house, the early and warm summers are ideal for paint drying with little runoff. Besides, other outdoor tasks like roof inspections, gutter cleaning, and foundation checks are better done without the disruption of rain, ice, or snow. 

Get More Working Hours

Another benefit of summer is that it comes with longer days and shorter nights. That’s especially relevant if you plan to outsource some of the maintenance and inspection to contracted workers. The extended daylight not only provides favorable conditions to work and see, but it also means your contractor can get the work done in the shortest amount of time possible. That’s why savvy investors also work with a proactive property management company in Austin Texas that connects you with reliable contractors.

Identify Issues Easily 

Spot pest infestations or landscaping issues better in warmer weather. Unlike winter, summer is much more likely to see an increase in pest activity due to the increased temperature. As a result, it’s the only period of the year you can be sure your house is reasonably pest-free. This time allows property owners the opportunity to identify other related issues and fix them, making their home safer and healthier. The same logic applies to landscaping, where it’s easier to spot drainage issues or poor HVAC system performance, because tenants are running the air conditioning more frequently. 

Summer Home Maintenance Tasks 

Lawn and Landscape Care

For starters, summer is the perfect time to improve your curb appeal. With rapid plant growth, maintenance for most landlords should involve routine mowing to keep the grass on your property at a reasonable height. Of course, grass isn’t the only thing that thrives in the summer. Weeds are also likely to compete with your plants for water and nutrients, so be sure to uproot them. Remember to also water your plants more frequently, as increased temperatures are more likely to cause water to evaporate from the roots. 

HVAC System Check

Double-check your HVAC system to ensure it’s running efficiently before summer break. When temperatures start to soar, it increases the demand on your HVAC system because tenants will often run the air conditioner 24/7. That’s why electricians tend to be busiest in the summer. However, you can skip those calls with some proactive maintenance. Make a date to clean the entire unit, especially your air filters, which tend to harbor dirt. It would also be a good idea to hire a professional to inspect and tune the system for the impending summer heat. 

Pest Control

Pests are more likely to become active when the weather gets warmer. That’s why proactive pest control in rentals during summer can help prevent infestations before they spread in your property. Inspect your home’s foundation, windows, and doors for possible entry points that could allow unwanted critters in, and seal them with caulk. Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness around your property would also go a long way in deterring pests, so schedule regular garbage pickup and get rid of stagnant water. If you notice an infestation, be sure to call in an expert exterminator to deal with it before it becomes a bigger problem.   

Emergency Preparations

Despite taking proactive maintenance steps, you still need to be handy in case your tenants need you. As a result, it would be good to have an emergency plan for unexpected events. It could include steps like educating your tenants on what to do when there’s a power outage or a hurricane, if you live in an area prone to extreme weather. Remember to also keep local emergency numbers handy in case you or your renters need them. 

Get your rental property ready with this summer checklist of home maintenance tasks. It’s not enough to be available for emergency repairs, you also need to be proactive about preventative maintenance to keep your tenants happy. It also helps that the warmer weather makes it easier to identify minor issues before they become major problems, and gives contractors more time to work under favorable weather conditions.