Rental Property Damage: Avoiding Enemy Number One

Print Friendly

Water damage. It can cost landlords more than problem tenants, and threatens every rental property across the country.

Restoration Local, one of the leading providers of water damage restoration in the United States, sees that rental property owners need protection.

That’s because rental properties can be more prone to damage. Changeover of residents and occasional vacancies can turn small problems into catastrophes. Winter weather only adds to the problem.

So, the company offers these tips to landlords in order to avoid costly repairs:

Have a professional roofer come and inspect the roof of the property at least once per year. Some companies provide this as a free resource, checking shingles, gutters, flashing, and all roof components. A compromised roof means easy access to the property by water, and should always be properly sealed to avoid any small leaks from gaining a foothold.

Window wells should also be inspected as they allow water to access basements and lower levels of a structure.

Downspouts should drain water away from window wells, and a few inches of river rock placed in the well will help drain the water without eroding the dirt around the foundation.

Gutters should be kept free and clear of obstructions and in good working order.

Landscaping around the property should also slope away from the structure for a distance of no less than ten feet. This prevents water from pooling up around the structure, with the risk of it flowing into the lower levels or basements and causing serious water problems. Proper drainage also means that there should be no threat to any neighboring property. This may require significant landscaping work to be performed, which is not inexpensive, but is preferable to the costs incurred by major water damage issues.

Based in Cleveland OH, RestorationLocal.com is one of the leading water damage restoration companies in the country, with contractors in 30 states. They are available 24/7 and all work is guaranteed. More information on water damage prevention and treatment can be found at their website.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for all your property management needs. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.