By Lisa Pizzo, Prep-Rite Coatings & Contracting
Annual inspections and preventative maintenance are an important aspect to prevent larger issues from occurring in the future on every property, large or small. It is recommended that properties are inspected every year to look for maintenance concerns. Addressing the smaller concerns every year helps your Boards when preparing budgets and catching issues before they become larger projects or concerns. Another proactive step is to set your property up on a phased painting schedule. This way those costs are budgeted in and the property is being maintained yearly. Phase cycles also take the guesswork out of what needs to be done and will be set up yearly.
Exterior repainting is an area of exterior maintenance which we highly recommend. Paint and/or stain is an exterior coating which acts as a protectant to the surface below. Caulking and sealing, priming and painting siding, trim, fascia etc. prevents water intrusion as well as wood rot, and can maintain the integrity of a building. It can prevent water intrusion and damage to interior drywall, ceilings and residents’ belongings.
Painting can also enhance the durability of stucco, sealing the stucco and bridging minor hairline cracks and preventing further damage. Inspecting for failing stucco and repairing/replacing those areas are key to maintaining the integrity of your stucco surfaces.
Using rust inhibiting primer and DTM (Direct to Metal) paint on handrails, light poles, and metal fencing can slow the spread of rust and add additional years to the lifespan of the metal.
Exterior maintenance should include gutter cleaning to help reduce clogged downspouts and overflowing water or ice damming along the rooflines and fascia. In addition to this, annual sealing and securing of loose gutters prevents leaks from damaging siding and trim, which can help prevent rotted wood and the expense of replacing it.
There is also preventative maintenance to eliminate or reduce safety hazards like concrete repairs, painting curbs, and step edges to alert pedestrians of trip hazards. Salting icy steps, shoveling, and plowing can frequently damage and scrape these surfaces. Parking lot striping and curb painting can be beneficial for traffic and parking accidents as well.
We encourage walking fence lines to inspect loose posts or rails, not to mention, if the fencing needs to be stained or repainted to prolong the life of the wood. Inspecting for these repairs can prevent fences from falling, which can be a safety hazard for security purposes, or even to prevent the family pet from running away.
Performing tuck pointing for brick and stone can ensure the integrity of a building or column as well as eliminating any safety concerns of falling bricks.
Decorative rock columns and walls also need to be inspected periodically to check for any loose stones. Missing or loose stones can lead to interior water damage compromising the integrity of the structure as well as safety concerns of falling stones, etc.
Common areas are often overlooked. Don’t forget about your pergolas, trellis, benches, tables and play structures repairs and staining reduces hazards and creates enjoyable areas for families and the community. The same is true for deck repairs and staining.
Overall, any and all of these maintenance items will also increase the property values of the neighborhoods, reduce hazards and improve the appearance of your communities.
Your contractor of choice should also be available to come out and walk your property and look for issues and offer direction on what the priority items are and what can wait. Ask your contractor to attend board meetings or a property walk to show you what they are seeing and answer any questions you may have.
