As a property owner, you will find that your properties, particularly multifamily units, need different types of care throughout the year to keep them maintained and in optimal condition. You will find that fall has some of the most important maintenance tasks because it can protect the inside and outside of your multiunit buildings.

Inspect and Service Your Heating

Some multiunit complexes have fireplaces, while others have furnaces. You should have your furnaces inspected and new filters installed. You may also have your furnace tested for efficiency and carbon monoxide. The service technician should make sure your furnace is working the best it can.

At least once per year, you should have your fireplaces services. Get your chimneys swept and cleared out. Test and clean the flues and vents. Make sure you get rid of buildup, such as creosote and soot. Get all the leaves and branches out of and away from your chimneys, and look for nesting animals.

Check the Roof

Each year, you should have your roof inspected. It is always best to find problems early so you can fix them before they become major problems. Look for cracking, buckling or other issues outside. Clear out your gutters so they work properly and water isn’t pushed up under the roof. This is especially important to do before winter because ice can cause a lot of damage if it stays against your roof or fascia. Look at all your flashing to ensure its seal is tight.

You should also inspect your roof from inside the building. Look for water spots, drips or other leaks. Go around the base of the roof and search for places where air could leak into the building as well. Look over all your exhaust pipes from both under and on top of your roof.

Search for Air Leaks

Inspect the outside of the building, especially when building materials meet. Check your weather stripping and caulking. Search out every crack and crevice and fill it to eliminate air leaks. Inspect the doors and windows as well. Make sure they hang and move properly. If they rattle, they may need tightening, and you may have to install new weather stripping.

From inside the building, look for spots of daylight, and fill them immediately. You can also search for an energy assessment technician. These professionals should know where to search for additional leaks.

To keep your multifamily property in the best shape and catch problems early, conduct regular maintenance and inspections on all your building’s structures and major systems.