Preventative Maintenance for Your Hawaii Rental Property

By Blogs | June 15, 2021

Hawaii is blessed with an amazing climate all year round.

Yet, the high humidity, wind, salt, sun, and heat can make it more challenging to maintain your rental property. Indeed, from electrical system corrosion to sun-related roof and decking damage, elements can take a toll on your house.

As a result, not only will preventative maintenance help you keep your maintenance cost down in the long run, but it will also help ensure that your tenants live in a safe and pleasant space. Additionally, an appropriate maintenance strategy will protect your investment by helping you maintain your property in excellent condition.

So, to guide you, we’ve listed below some of the most critical steps to take when it comes to preventative maintenance for your Honolulu rental property.

Regularly Check for Leaks and Water Issues

Not fixing compromised plumbing fixtures for supply and waste lines might lead to flooding and many other issues. And, unfortunately, leaks and water-related damage can be costly.

That’s why your preventative maintenance plan should always include regular plumbing maintenance and frequent checkups for leaks and water problems. It will help you budget for repairs and save money in the long run by minimizing the odds of having small leaks or water issues escalating into much bigger and more costly ones.

Here are some tips on how to prevent water damage in your Honolulu rental property:

  • Regularly check for leaks on the ceiling, walls, floors, and near the sink, the shower, and the laundry area.
  • Check for musty odors in all of the rooms.
  • Check hose connections that run to water appliances such as the dishwasher or washing machine.
  • Hire a plumber to conduct routine inspections.
  • Ask tenants to avoid dumping grease into the sinks to prevent clogged up pipes.
  • Check water supply hoses for cracks and immediately call a plumber to fix them if you notice any.

Organize Cooling and Heating Unit System Servicing

If your property features a cooling and heating unit system, a yearly routine service inspection should be part of your preventative maintenance plan.

This will prevent any costly emergency service repairs down the road and an unpleasant experience for your tenants if the cooling or heating system goes down. It will also ensure that the property is safe for tenants and extend your equipment’s lifespan.

Pay Attention to Your Trees

While trees and vegetation can significantly enhance your property, they can also represent a safety risk if not managed properly.

As a matter of fact, trees can cause all sorts of problems, including:

  • Foundation damage

If strong trees are planted too close to the house, the roots can cause cracks in the concrete foundations and spread underneath the house.

  • Plumbing damage

A minor crack in your water pipe, or even a loose joint, can lead to tree roots spreading to the water source. This would, in turn, damage your plumbing system.

Additionally, trees planted too close to the property can lead to branches falling on the roof, touching power lines, or blocking the windows.

So, as best practice, we’d recommend that you hire a professional to regularly trim your trees and ensure they’re not posing a safety threat.

Take Preventative Steps to Avoid Pests

Termites are a real plague in Hawaii.

Indeed, these pests thrive in warm and humid environments making Hawaii the perfect breeding ground. In fact, Honolulu ranks number 2 when it comes to the most termite-infested cities!

Termites are a major issue for homeowners because they can inflict considerable structural damage to a property.  And unfortunately, structural damage can cost thousands in repairs.

So, since most Honolulu properties are affected, implementing a termite prevention plan is crucial to protecting your investment property.

Here are a few steps you can follow to minimize the risk of pests damaging your Honolulu rental property:

  • Preventing moisture and water leaks

Termites are attracted to water and moisture in general. Things such as dampness in the home, leaking taps, and showerheads or cracked water pipes should therefore be immediately fixed to prevent termite infestations.

  • Keeping all weep holes clear

Leaving weep holes covered in vegetation such as mulch or grass will provide termites with an easy way into the property framework for them to feed on. Besides, it will also make it much harder to spot them. As a result, make sure that the weep holes are always clear from vegetation, including garden beds.

  • Avoid timber structures in direct contact with the soil

Decks should never be built directly in contact with the soil. Otherwise, you run the risk of a termite infestation as they swarm to feed on the structure. Note that shops usually sell metal stirrups specifically designed to help you elevate your deck. This way, you can avoid direct contact between your timber structures and the ground.

Always Rent Your Property

Renting out your investment property is an excellent way to boost your revenue and build your property portfolio. But it also has another major benefit. It ensures that you get immediately notified in case of any issues.

Sure, receiving a call from your renters on the weekend to let you know that the cooling unit is broken is not fun. Yet, it can save you from the hassle of dealing with much bigger and more costly issues in the future. Indeed, leaving your property vacant for too long might lead to small problems piling up. And they could easily escalate over time, eventually resulting in expensive repairs.

Work with a Honolulu Property Manager to Carry Out Routine Inspections

If you’re time-poor or simply don’t have the knowledge and expertise, working with an experienced Honolulu property management company could help you successfully implement your preventative maintenance plan. One of the main benefits of partnering with a Honolulu property management company is that your dedicated property manager will be able to carry out regular routine inspections on your behalf. This will allow them to identify and address any maintenance problems early on. And it will also be an opportunity for them to ensure the property is well looked after by your tenants.

Besides, a Honolulu property manager usually relies on a network of maintenance professionals. This means lower maintenance costs for you and on-call emergency staff available to fix any issues immediately. It also means that you won’t need to worry about the quality of the work. So, if you’re looking for a Honolulu rental agency to help you manage your investment property, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here. Our team is always here to help!

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