Water damage is among the most common property concerns in Florida. Water damage comes in a variety of forms. It might be anything from an unnoticed leaking pipe that allows mold to grow to a full-fledged flood that seriously damages your rental home and the tenant’s belongings.
This post will look at various options for preventing water damage to your rental property. Thankfully, there are strategies to limit the danger of water damage to your property. Here are some pointers!
The roof's gutter systems are one of the most important components to inspect and clean. At the very least, clear rain gutters and remove garbage and vegetation build-up once a year. Make sure your gutters are angled downward if at all possible. This helps water flow away from your property rather than gathering at the perimeter and seeping into the foundations of your home.
Gutters are necessary for keeping water away from the home's internal roof and wall structures. Ice damming and collected debris are two primary factors that might impair the gutter's capacity to do its job.
Inspecting the inside of the house is important, but you should also evaluate the outside. In addition to leaking pipes and flooding, leaking roofs are a common source of water damage to dwellings.
If your roof is in not in good condition, you may need to replace it depending on its type and the number of years it has been there. If attics and chimneys are old or not properly maintained, they can potentially leak, especially during rainy seasons. To prevent water from leaking, inspect your roof at least once a year and repair or replace any damaged or missing shingles.
An annual or bi-annual inspection of a property's plumbing is recommended. You should inspect things such as sinks, refrigerators, washing machines, toilets, and bathtubs connected to the pipes. You will stay updated about the state of the pipelines in the house if you perform these checks, as normal wear and tear is expected. If a new tenant moves in, you can conduct a pre-lease inspection and have the renter agree to annual inspections.
If your tenants have yearly leases, this can be done on the basis of a regular inspection. If you give tenants advance notice, you also have the authority to inspect your property on a constant schedule for maintenance. If a supposedly minor problem remains undiscovered, like a water leak line connected to a refrigerator, it can soon turn into a costly problem.
You can also demonstrate to the tenants how to prevent water damage and what to do if one occurs. You should also encourage them to notify you if they see anything unusual, such as an increase in their water bill, dampness in the walls, or mold in the corners of the house, as these are all symptoms that a pipe is leaking.
Extend gutter downspouts if possible to be well away from the house. As we’ve mentioned, a functional drainage system aims to keep as much water from collecting around the building as possible, so making sure downspouts transport the water as far as possible reduces the risk of flooding. Check for damage to downspouts and replace or repair any broken pieces.
Basements and crawl spaces are prone to flooding, though basements are uncommon in Florida. However, in these cases, the best option for pumping the excess water out of your basement or crawl space is to install a sump pump. After removing the water with a sump pump, we recommend repairing the damages to restore it to its original condition.
Inspect all windows for cracks and repair them if necessary. Windows are a common culprit of leaks in rental properties, especially during hurricane season.
Ensuring that the windows are secure from the elements is key to avoiding water damage.
Cooking oils harden when they cool, leading to a plugged pipe. This can cause a back up of water that may damage your rental property. Instead of pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the drain, remind tenants to keep FOG in a disposable container and throw it out once solidified.
A catch basin is a useful solution for houses where water tends to collect around the base. This will keep water away from the foundation, preventing the home's structural integrity from being compromised. You may easily redirect the water away from the house by putting PVC pipes underground around the locations where this pooling happens.
From our experience, these preventative measures and solutions are guaranteed to reduce the odds of water damage occurring on your property. But as a property owner, do you have the time and resources to implement them? That’s where we come in!
Innovative Property Solutions provides excellent customer service and are quick to solve problems for our clients. We are completely committed to assisting you with your property management requirements. Our services are backed by professional knowledge and experience.
Our team implements cutting-edge methods and solutions, and we're always striving to exceed our clients' expectations. To learn more about us and all of our services, contact us today!
Innovative Property Solutions
8833 Perimeter Park Blvd Suite 301, Jacksonville, FL 32216
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