Pub. 3 2018 Issue 5

23 ISSUE 5 2018 vents, clothes dryers, and (if appli- cable) room fans. • Furnaces and heat pumps: Have them cleaned and tested. Furnaces collect dust and debris that affect performance and also creates a fire hazard. If you have the work done by a qualified HVAC contractor, then the contractor will inspect the heating system visually, remove covers and check filters, check blowers, and make sure nothing is blocking flues. In addition to ensur- ing that heating systems are work- ing correctly, the contractor will also perform other safety checks. • Green areas: Do you maintain the grounds around each building your- self, or do you hire that work out to someone else? If you are in charge of the work, this is the time to get blades sharpened and fluids topped off before you put away tools such as lawnmowers and trimmers. This is also a good time to invest in new garden power tools for next year, because you will find great deals during the fall season. Check the irrigation system for any poten- tial problems, or have a qualified irrigation contractor do it for you. You should also fertilize the lawn to minimize lawn damage during the winter months and weeds during the spring. Experts at a local garden center can give you advice about what type of fertilizer you should use and when you should apply it. Don’t forget to put down mulch and to make sure any rocks and pavers are in good shape, and check tree branches overhead. Anything close to power lines should be trimmed. The same is true for any branches that hang over roofs where they can create a mess. • Outdoor swimming pools: Your apartment community might have an outdoor swimming pool open for use during the summer. When it’s time to shut the pool down for the winter, power-wash the outdoor cushions and furniture and then dry them. Once they are clean, store anything you don’t want to expose to harsh winter conditions. That way you will have less of the fading and cracking that are caused by harsh weather during the fall and winter months. Continue to keep the pools chemical levels balanced and to clean out debris, leaves, and bugs each week. • Raking: When the leaves are fall- ing, you should be raking (or having someone else rake) on a weekly basis. Wet, fallen leaves can cause accidents. • Roofs, gutters, and downspouts: On each roof, you will want to check the flashing around any openings in the roof, including around chim- neys and skylights. You might also want to have a roofing expert come and take a look at the roof to give you an idea about the need for re- pairs or replacement. Clean out the gutters of any leaves, dirt, or pine needles. With the downspouts, look for pieces that are loose or dam- aged, and then fix them. • Walkways and entry areas: Look for loose paver materials and cracked walkways in order to fix them. Use a high-quality liquid joint sealer to seal all expansion joints and pre- vent water from getting under the pavement surface through small, hairline cracks. Once there, the wa- ter will soften the materials being used as a structural base. That leads to the ground settling and pot- holes developing. If you wait until later, when there is a possibility of snow, ice, or water, the chances also increase that someone might trip or fall in a problem area. • Water heaters: Do you have hard water in the apartment community? If so, then sediment could be build- ing up in hot water tanks. You can drain the hot water tanks to prevent rust from developing. It’s also wise to take a look at how old, and how rusted, each hot water tank is. Maybe it’s time to get one or more new ones that will be more energy efficient and cost effective. • Windows and doors: Hot and cold air can both be lost through windows and doors that allow drafts. Check the seal and caulk around window frames to make sure they are in good condition. Another thing you should consider is upgrading the window treatments in individual apartments and in public areas, especially around windows that are particularly drafty. Heavier drap- ery can block the loss of cold air in the summer and warm air in the winter. If you’ve taken care of all these main- tenance issues, now is also a good time to think about how you can make the apartment community more attractive to residents and potential residents. Think about lighting at night and make sure all walkways and public areas are well-lit. You could also make landscaping chang- es that will make your apartment com- munity more beautiful. New plantings of hearty shrubs, the artful use of mulch, pine bark, and rocks, and bulbs planted to bloom next spring can all improve the appearance of the apartment’s grounds.