To make sure appliances are at the top of their performance, regular maintenance and upkeep are important. Following necessary steps for landlords and tenants can help ensure that the life of the appliances in your rental home is used up to its maximum potential. By applying a few simple safety measures, you can ensure that each appliance lives up to its full potential. Believe it or not, reading the appliance’s manual is the first step to 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 long way toward 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, clean the gaskets a few times a year. Cleaning the coils is also easy; simply remove the cover and vacuum or use a soft bristle brush. If your refrigerator comes with filters, it is a good idea to set up a schedule to change these for your renters to ensure it is adequately completed on a regular basis.
Dishwashers also need attention from time to time, and it is easy to clean the gasket with soap and water, helping this 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 create vibrations that will hurt the machine as well as your dishes. In addition to mechanical aspects, running a hot water cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner every few months will also increase your dishwasher’s lifespan.
When it comes to washers and dryers, proper use goes a long way toward keeping them in good shape. Overloading the machines is the number one culprit of poor performance and breakdowns. Loads that are too large for the machine put a strain on the motor, belts, and transmission, leading to rapid wear and tear. Encourage tenants to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about load size. In addition to that, dryer vents should be checked and cleaned regularly to avoid buildup. When lint and debris get caught in the external vent, it can lead to motor or thermostat failure – not to mention creating a serious fire hazard. We recommend double checking the vents each time you replace the filters.
Without a doubt, the maintenance tasks listed above are not difficult to do. However, they do take much time and takes many efforts to do. Letting renters in by having them involved in these steps is an important part but double checking to see that they are being completed can be a challenge. Why not save both time and expensive repairs by turning to the experts at Real Property Management Results? We conduct regular property evaluations and maintenance services that include large appliance care, saving money by extending the lifespan of all major appliances in the home. Please contact us or call us at 812-461-1676 today for more information.