Though fall is still in full swing, it won't be long until a coating of snow covers the fallen leaves, and winter takes over. Before that happens, you'll need to make sure that your properties have all their maintenance work up to date, it'll be much harder to take care of these problems once the weather gets chilly.
Let's go over a few preparations you can make in the fall to give your tenants a safe and comfortable winter.
Fall Cleaning
If you manage apartment buildings or commercial facilities where you need to provide janitorial services, make sure to clean everything thoroughly before the cold sets in. Lobby areas, bathrooms, and other common areas all deserve special attention in this endeavor.
Don't forget to change out communal trash cans or recycling bins that got damaged over the summer, and clean out the rest thoroughly.
HVAC Systems Service
The last thing you need is an apartment complex full of freezing tenants. To keep everyone warm and cozy, make sure your HVAC system is up to date and operating smoothly. Winterize the cooling towers — you won't need them for a while — and make sure you only heat the occupied parts of the building.
You can also save some energy and money if you set common area thermostats to lower temperatures and shut down what you don't use.
Roof Maintenance
Winter is not the time you want to discover you have a roof leak, so take advantage of autumn to check each building you manage. You may need to update patches that have worn out, clean gutters, and reseal deteriorated caulking.
Once your roofs are in good shape, apply a coating that will protect it from the elements in the coming months of cold. You'll still need to keep an eye on the roof as winter goes on, but preventative measures go a long way.
Insulation Check
If you have any trouble with your roofs, be sure to check your insulation as well. You'll lose a lot of heat to the outdoors, and money to your heating bill, if your insulation isn't ready for the season.
Keep the insulation up to date in your building's attic, basement, and crawl spaces to ensure your tenants stay warm while you keep your bills low. Insulate around your pipes as well to prevent freezing as the weather gets cold.
Outdoor Arrangements
Practically, you'll need to have a plan for removing snow from parking lots, sidewalks, and other sensitive spots. You'll have to determine who will take care of snow on your properties and where to keep the equipment they'll use; if you keep it on the property, you'll avoid the hassle of transportation. You'll also need to keep your lawns clear of fallen leaves and branches until the snow starts if you want healthy grass in the spring.
You have a few other outdoor maintenance tasks you'll want to complete before the cold hits. Winterize your sprinkler systems and irrigation lines, and turn them off in the late fall or early winter. Have plenty of salt on hand, and mats to clean the salt off shoes as people enter the lobby. You can also take this opportunity to plant flowers or bushes that withstand the cold or just fertilize your flowerbeds with the minerals you'll need in the spring.
Prep Your Tenants
Whatever changes you decide to make for the winter, keep your tenants well informed. Remind them of basic maintenance that they're responsible for, like taking care of their plants and snowfall on their balconies. If you have individual residential properties, your contract should determine whether you or the renter are responsible for snow removal, so remind them of their responsibility there as well.
Whether you manage commercial, industrial, residential, or hospitality buildings,
Trend
is your one-stop-shop for building maintenance. From painting to power washing, roof coatings to renovations, get in touch today to let Trend take care of your properties for you.