Landlord Apartment Advice - 6 Ways to Reduce Repair and Maintenance Costs - Source: AAOA

6 Ways to Reduce Repair and Maintenance Costs

Subtitle: (Pay Me Now or Big Time Pay Me Later)    

 Any appliance or repair expert will tell you that simple maintenance can add years to the life of your appliances, and reduce the likelihood of having to replace them.  Additionally, following some simple maintenance tips can significantly reduce the likelihood of huge repair or clean-up costs when your appliances fail.

     The expert will also remind of Murphy's law for appliances - failing at the worst possible moment - say for example over a holiday when you will pay double for repair costs.  To prevent Murphy from rearing his ugly head, this is when you should prepare yourself for untimely appliance failure, when you tenants move out of the premises.

     Simple repair tips, some of which you already do yourself:

REFRIGERATOR:
1. Your fridge is run by a compressor that sucks warm air and generates cool air.  Along with the air that is being sucked in, it also takes in dust and lint from the household.  Most people forget to clean the condenser coils regularly.  Years of dust and grime can clog the condenser coils, and thus reduce the lifespan of your refrigerator.
     Repair Solution -->  The easiest way to clean the compressor, coils and any other air intakes where dust can collect is to turn off the fridge, and vacuum clean these areas.  By performing this maintenance every time  a tenant vacates your property, you can prolong the life of your refrigerator and enable the compressor to continue running well.

2. Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors.  If they are not tight, you are losing efficiency.  The lack of it burns up your compressor, shortens the lifespan of your appliance, uses significantly more electricity.
   Repair Solution --> Check your seal by the closing the door on a clean sheet of paper.  If the paper slips, the fridge is wasting energy. Stop the waste by adjusting the door latch, if needed, or replacing it.

WASHER and DRYER:
3. Make it a point to invest the time and money to replace your washer fill hoses every five years.  It is a lot cheaper to replace them, pay for a massive clean-up once the hoses burst.  Trust me, that will happen.  Now, if the hoses have burst on you, you know about what I reference.

4. Inspect your outside dryer vent (exhaust duct) annually and clean it of any blockage.  In cold climates, small animals been known to nest in or around them.  That activity can damage to both the vent and dryer.

WATER HEATER:
5. Under normal usage, a typical water heater will last eight (8) to twelve (12) years.  Some landlords, however, save water heaters that last 15 or up to 20 years.
   Repair / Upkeep Solution --> Flush out the tank of the water heater.

DRAINS:
6. Yes, a drain is not technically an "appliance," clogged drains cause appliance problems and are thus most common reasons for plumbing maintenance calls.
   Repair / Upkeep Solution --> After a tenant vacates and before the next one occupies premises, remove the bathroom sink and tub drains, and then remove any hair and other blockages.  You may be grossed out by all the gunk that accumulates there, but that feeling will not be bad as paying for a large bill that you could have avoided.


Source: http://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/blog/2013/05/13/6-easy-ways-to-reduce-repair-and-maintenance-costs/