When it comes to property maintenance, major appliances should be included as part of your property management plan. Quality appliances in your El Cajon rental properties are alluring to renters while contributing a huge future expense. When appliances are not properly maintained, they may fail faster and require replacement more frequently.
There are easy steps landlords and tenants can execute to prolong the life of the appliances in your rental home. By taking a few simple precautions, you can make sure that each appliance lives up to its full potential. Did you know that reading the appliance manual is the first step to keeping an appliance running? A good landlord should provide a copy of all appliance manuals and encourage their tenants to read them.
For individual appliances, basic maintenance can be of great value towards increasing their longevity. As an 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, clean the gaskets a couple times a year. Cleaning the coils is also trouble-free; just remove the cover and vacuum or use a soft bristle brush. If your refrigerator comes with filters, it is a smart choice to create a schedule to change these for your renters to secure it is executed properly on a regular basis.
Dishwashers also need attention now and again and its easy to clean the gasket with soap and water, helping this appliance to 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 produce vibrations that will destroy the machine in addition to your dishes. Apart from mechanical aspects, running a hot water cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner every few months will also expand your dishwasher’s lifespan.
With respect to washers and dryers, proper use is of great value toward keeping them functional. Overloading the machines is the topmost issue that leads to poor performance and breakdowns. Loads that are too massive for the machine put pressure on the motor, belts, and transmission, leading to wear and tear quickly. Advise your tenants to observe the manufacturer’s instructions about load size. In addition, dryer vents should be inspected and cleaned often to evade buildup. As soon as lint and debris get tangled in the external vent, it can bring on motor or thermostat failure – not to mention creating a serious fire hazard. We recommend double checking the vents each time you replace the filters.
Although these maintenance obligations are fundamental and simple, they actually take time and effort. Encouraging renters to help is an essential step but making certain that they are executed can be a challenge. Why not save yourself both time and expensive repairs by hiring the experts at Real Property Management Realevate Specialists? We perform regular property evaluations and maintenance services that include large appliance care, saving you money by improving the lifespan of all major appliances in the home. Please contact us online or call our Mission Valley office at 858-997-2100 or our Temecula office at 951-461-0100 for more information.
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