Are you looking to maintain your rental property’s plumbing?
Many common rental plumbing problems can be avoided by simple maintenance. Following through with regular upkeep tasks can cut the costs of plumbing repairs down the road.
Even though many landlords focus on the HVAC system and landscaping maintenance, SGI Property Management Dallas says it pays to put in the effort for plumbing as well. This is the only way to ensure that your property’s plumbing operates in peak condition at all times.
Now, we are going to take a closer look at the practical plumbing maintenance procedures. Regular observation and routine upkeep carries the potential to prevent most of the serious plumbing issues that you could face as a landlord.
Here are the things that a landlord should do regularly:
Examine the caulking
Include areas around the shower doors, sinks, tub, toilet base, and shower. Don’t forget to check the kitchen caulking situations as well. When you find dry, seriously cracked, or missing caulking, remove them and replace it with a fresh caulk.
Conduct a complete corrosion check
The typical signs of corrosion show around copper or brass fittings in the form of blue or green staining. Sometimes these stains appear around your rental’s shutoff valves as well. Fix any corrosion issues because these could cause leaks or flooding.
Check the flushing mechanisms
Flush each toilet in the rental property to see if the flushing mechanism works as it should. Make sure that there aren’t any corroded, broken, or completely missing components inside the toilet. Before heading out, make sure that the water doesn’t run endlessly after flushing.
Test the water pressure in your rental property
The safe level is usually between 40-65 psi. You can use a water pressure gauge to determine the correct readings.
Clean the showerheads and faucet aerators
You should remove and thoroughly clean the faucet aerators. These components are notorious for building up calcium. These unwanted calcium deposits decrease the water pressure and functionality of the faucet.
Listen for water sounds
Listen attentively to the sounds coming from the drains in the tubs, sinks, and showers. All of the draining should be smooth without noticeable gurgling or other sounds that raise concern. Clear out any slow drains or major blockages.
Flush out the water heater tank
Without regular flushing, rust and sediment will start to build up at the bottom of the tank. As a result, both the efficiency and useful lifetime of your water heater tank will be reduced.
Get a sewer line inspection
A backed up sewer mains pose a huge potential issue in your rental property. Video sewer line inspections allow qualified professionals to easily see inside the sewer lines. In this way, you can address any warning signs before these need expensive sewer line repair works done.
Washing machine inspection
Inspect the washing machine hoses for brittle spots, cracks, or leaks. Since the washing machine hose material tends to be reinforced rubber, the integrity of this material can be compromised over time. Without regular inspections, these processes could lead to hose failure and concurrent flooding.
See if your garbage disposer’s drain connections work properly
The typical problem areas include the following:
- The point of connection between the disposer and the dishwasher discharge
- The connection between the sink drain and the disposer discharge
Check the septic tank
Your septic system demands maintenance as well. Some homes have septic systems with a drain field. If your rental has one, make sure it receives regular professional inspections. Plus, clearly communicate to your tenants that it’s best not to flush any food in when utilizing this type of system.
Check the sump pump
Does your rental property have a sump pump? Check that this component works as it should. For instance, you can add water to the sump pit and then see whether the pump is automatically activated.
Check the irrigation system
The maintenance of the irrigation system is both a task of landscaping and plumbing. Before the watering season starts, ensure that every single spray head works efficiently. On the closing day of the watering season, winterize the system to prevent serious problems resulting from freezing and thawing.
Check all of your plumbing and surrounding areas for signs of mold and mildew
Any unwanted growth could indicate further issues such as leaky pipes or inadequate ventilation. Take the mold problem seriously because the spores pose a health risk for some people.
In a nutshell: Rental Property Plumbing Maintenance Checklist
Do you take care of your rental property plumbing on a regular basis? It’s important to inspect and evaluate all the plumbing components and areas of your rental property. Proper upkeep and timely fixes prevent expensive repairs in the long run.