On the issue of property maintenance, major appliances must be part of your property management plan. Quality appliances in your Southwest Waterfront rental properties appeal to renters while also presenting as a notable future expense. When appliances are not properly maintained, they may fail faster and require replacement more frequently.
There are some helpful hints landlords and tenants can take to stretch the life of the appliances in your rental homes. By exercising some simple precautions, you can guarantee that each appliance lives up to its full potential. To keep an appliance running, the first thing you should do is read the appliance’s manual; it may sound obviously simple but the truth is that it is often neglected. A good landlord will provide a copy of all appliance manuals and encourage their tenants to read them.
Basic maintenance does a lot to improve the longevity of individual appliances. For instance, refrigerators need their gaskets and coils cleaned on a regular basis. The gaskets are the plastic strip that forms the seal around the refrigerator door. Wipe down the gaskets a few times a year to prevent gapping. It’s also very easy to clean the coils; simply take off the cover and vacuum or use a soft bristle brush. If the refrigerator you have comes with filters, you can ensure that the filters get replaced properly and regularly for your renters by setting up a schedule for it.
Dishwashers also need to be taken care of every so often and cleaning the gasket with soap and water is really easy; doing so goes a long way to keep the appliance stay watertight. Check the filter regularly and remove any debris. You should also make sure your dishwasher is level with the floor. An unbalanced dishwasher can cause vibrations that will eventually damage both the machine and the dishes. On top of maintaining the mechanical aspects, you can also lengthen your dishwasher’s lifespan by running a hot water cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner every few months.
For washers and dryers, proper use does a lot to keep them running smoothly. Overloading the machines is one of the usual mistakes people make and this causes machine failure and sub-standard performance. Loads that exceed its capacity puts too much stress on the motor, belts, and transmission, leading to rapid wear and tear. Urge your tenants to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about load size. On top of that, dryer vents should be inspected and cleaned routinely to avoid buildup. When the external vent builds up lint and debris, it can lead to motor or thermostat failure, and even be a serious fire hazard. We recommend double checking the vents each time you replace the filters.
Although these maintenance tasks are really easy and simple to do, they still require both time and effort. Asking renters for their help is an essential first step, but making sure that they actually perform the tasks can be tough. Why not spare yourself from the costs and wasted time, and turn to the experts at Real Property Management DC Metro? One of the things we offer is regular property evaluations and maintenance services; this includes large appliance care. By extending the lifespan of all the major appliances you end up saving a lot of money. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a ring at 202-269-0303 to know more.
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