One of the top problems that Gray rental property owners deal with is water damage. Even just a very small amount of water can turn up to be a dangerous, damaging force, creeping into ceiling joists, walls, floors, and even weakening a building’s very foundation. Just an inch or two of water on the floor can result in tens of thousands of dollars in critical repairs. Notwithstanding that it may not be attainable to evade every single water-related emergency, there’s a lot of stuff you can do as the property owner to prevent water damage and the financially excessive repairs that go along with it. Follow the advice below to keep your Gray investment property safe from preventable floods and leaks.
Prepare for Severe Weather
Water damage originating from severe weather incidents is a typical concern, primarily where storms are just a part of life. Strong wind and heavy rain can both bring on water damage, and if your property is located in a flood-prone area, flash flooding can now and again be a massive risk.
To prevent water damage, it’s critical to get your rental property ready and capable of holding out with severe weather. For example, make certain to inspect your roof every year and seal any cracks or gaps you find. Replace missing shingles as may be necessary, and make it a point that your flashing, gutters, and downspouts are in fine condition and rightly installed. If periods of heavy rain are projected to come, do something to improve the drainage around your property’s foundation to help water flow away from the walls. If your property is in a flood zone, take into consideration having sandbags or sandbagging supplies on hand or nearby to help secure your property. Even though there are unexpected weather events, just a little preparation can help keep your property safe and dry.
Clean the Gutters
Another typical cause of water damage is clogged or incorrectly installed gutters. Your rental property’s gutter system is designed to draw water away from the structure. Although if your gutters are full of leaves, twigs, and other debris, that water will overflow down the side of the house instead. This can bring about all variations of problem issues, from leaking ceilings, wood rot, damaged drywall, and ruined flooring. If disregarded long enough, leaking gutters can even erode a cement foundation and wreak havoc on your landscaping.
The manageable and simple fix here is to clean your rental property’s gutters at least twice a year. Debris should be cleared out, and the gutter system checked for leaks and pooling water. Cleaning and accomplishing small repairs on a gutter system will not only prevent water damage but will absolutely save you money on repairs, in the long run, likewise.
Inspect Your Plumbing (and Water Heater)
Water damage can moreover arise inside your rental property due to plumbing issues. Leaking pipes, broken faucets, worn-out washing machine hoses, and old water heaters are plausible water damage causes. Even something as small as a slow or blocked drain can bring on major water damage and require financially excessive emergency repairs.
To prevent water damage inside your rental home, have your whole plumbing system inspected at least year by year. A professional plumber will adeptly identify developing problems that you can mend in an instant during an inspection. By solving plumbing problems, while they are insignificantly small, you can prevent water disasters and save much money on repairs. It’s equally necessary to stay up to date on your water heater’s age and condition and have it serviced regularly and replaced before it fails. A failing water heater can flood a basement or garage, adding the cost of clean-up and repairs to the cost of replacing the unit itself. By replacing it before it fails, you can better manage your cash flows and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Preventing water damage can be burdensome and entails both time and good management. Rather than doing it all yourself, take into consideration enlisting one of our professional Gray property managers to tackle your preventive maintenance and inspections. To learn more, contact us online.
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