When it comes to property maintenance, major appliances should be included as part of your property management plan. Quality appliances in your College Station rental properties are interesting to renters while suggesting a fundamental upcoming expenditure. When appliances are not properly maintained, they may fail faster and require replacement more frequently.
There are easy steps landlords and tenants can take to extend the life of the appliances in your rental home. By taking a few precautions, you can see to it that every appliance lives up to its full potential. Believe it or not, following the appliance’s manual is the first step in keeping an appliance running. A good landlord will provide a copy of all appliance manuals and encourage their tenants to read them.
For individual appliances, basic maintenance can go a far towards improving their longevity. For example, 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. To prevent gapping, wipe down the gaskets a few times a year. Cleaning the coils is also easy to do; simply remove the cover and vacuum or use a soft bristle brush. If your refrigerator comes with filters, it is a sensible idea to create a schedule to change these for your renters to validate it is finished on a constant basis.
Dishwashers also need attention frequently, and its an easy thing to do. Just make sure to clean the gasket with soap and water, this helps to keep the appliance 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 produce vibrations that will hurt the machine as well as your dishes. On top of the mechanical aspects, running a hot water cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner every few months will also boost your dishwasher’s lifespan.
When it comes to washers and dryers, proper use should be done to ensure it stays in great shape. Overloading the machines is the main culprit of poor performance and breakdowns. Loads that are too big for the machine put damage on the motor, belts, and transmission, leading to rapid wear and tear. Encourage your tenants to uphold the manufacturer’s recommendations about load size. Besides this, dryer vents should be checked and looked over daily to avoid buildup. When lint and debris get locked in the external vent, it can lead to motor or thermostat failure – plus creating a serious fire hazard. We recommend double checking the vents each time you replace the filters.
Although these tasks are easy to take care of, they do take time and effort. Encouraging renters to help is an important first step but making certain that they are really done can be a real issue. Why not save yourself both time and pricey repairs by going to the experts at Real Property Management Talent? We operate regular property evaluations and maintenance services that entails large appliance care, saving you money by increasing the life of all major appliances in the home. Please contact us or call us at 254-401-0400 today for more details.
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