This upcoming Saturday (September 23rd) marks the first day of fall. The busiest part of the year is almost over, the sun is moving on, and rain clouds are moving back into the area. Like every season, Fall has its checklist of maintenance and tasks that must be completed.
In winter, you worry about frozen pipes and ice. In spring, you have to monitor the exuberance of your lawn closely to ensure it doesn’t turn into a small-scale rain forest. Summer finds you hard-pressed to keep the same lawn from becoming a parched-yellow desert. Fall takes you back to spring where temperate temperatures and abundant rain-fall cause ample growth, with the added touch of moss.
Each season has its checklist and issues, and fall is no exception.
1. Clean the Gutters
It won’t be long before leaves cover our yards, and roofs, and fill the gutters. Clogged gutters can cause leaks and overflowing gutters cause dirty splatters on the siting of your building. Property managers and landlords need to remember to schedule this essential maintenance within the next month or so.
2. Winterize Your Outside Plumbing
This is a good time to deal with winterizing your exterior faucets and the rest of the outdoor plumbing. Nobody likes dealing with burst pipes. Disconnect outdoor hoses and store them. Fill gaps around the spigots, and either shut off the water and drain or insulate them until spring.
Around this time of year, Empire provides the tenants with outdoor foam faucet covers. Also, as soon as the first cold snap hits, we send out an email with detailed instructions as to what they need to do to avoid cold weather damage to the rental.
3. Turn Off and Drain the Sprinkler System
As your lawn dying from lack of water is no longer an issue, it’s time to shut down and drain the exterior sprinkler systems in preparation for the approaching cold weather.
4. Landscaping/Lawn Care
The autumn season is no excuse to ignore your landscaping. With Oregon’s weather as temperate as it is during this time, giving the landscaping critical attention is even more important during the fall. Landlords and property manager will vacancies will need to monitor their vacant units carefully if they wish to maintain their current level of curb appeal.
Properly preparing your rental property for winter protects your investment and minimizes potential damage, as well as the chances of receiving midnight emergency calls. Landlord or property manager, you’ll sleep better at night when it’s done, and so will your tenants.
As always, Happy Landlording!