Exterior maintenance for Multi-family properties

Name: Custom Exteriors, LLC
Address: 404 Broadway, Eagle, CO, 81631, US
Telephone: 970-460-8714

At Custom Exteriors, we understand that maintaining a property’s exterior is a demanding task for community managers, commercial property managers, and multi-family building owners. However, it’s vital for the safety of your tenants. These community maintenance tasks improve the community’s function and curb appeal and can even improve the value of the property and the satisfaction level of your tenants.

Not only does regular exterior maintenance keep your investment visually appealing, but it also prevents minor issues from escalating into major, costly repairs. These repairs can quickly escalate into thousands of dollars, directly impacting your return on investment. With that in mind, let’s explore some ways to increase cash flow and decrease service calls from tenants. Proactively protect your property from expensive damage because it could easily force vacancy while repairs are being made.

Multi-family Roof Maintenance

With successful multi-family roof replacements, siding and window replacements, and paint jobs across the state, we know that regular roof maintenance is one of the most important aspects of exterior maintenance. By identifying and addressing minor issues early, such as leaks or damage, you avoid the high costs and disruptions of major repairs. Other benefits of a well-maintained roof include:

In multi-family roofing, we often see three specific types of roofing systems: asphalt shingles, flat roofing, and metal roofing. Each has specific maintenance needs that, when addressed regularly, can prevent costly repairs, extend the life of your roof, and ensure the safety and comfort of your tenants. Let’s take a look at the basics of each type of roofing system’s maintenance needs.

1. Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are among the most common multi-family roof replacement materials. Many apartment and condo complexes depend on them for protection. Beyond basic roof inspections, it’s important to seal any areas that may be vulnerable to water intrusion. Inspect for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Check the seal around vents, chimneys, and pipe flashings to make sure they have a water-tight seal.

While some property owners are capable of a multi-family roof inspection, it’s important to be cognizant of your physical limitations and prioritize your safety over all else. In order to inspect your roof safely, you may need to be able to climb a large ladder safely and be comfortable at heights. Many local roofing companies will provide no-cost annual inspections that will give a clear picture of your roof’s condition.

2. Flat Roofing Systems

Flat roofs are often found on commercial and multi-family buildings. They are likely made of a rubber membrane designed to effectively drain water from an area with little to no slope. When conducting maintenance on a flat roof, begin by clearing debris and checking for standing water. Inspect for cracks or blisters in the membrane and check the drainage system to ensure there is no pooling water.

For flat roofing, maintenance involves both cleaning and checking for punctures or wear in the roofing membrane. It’s important to repair any identified damage immediately to maintain the integrity of the waterproof barrier. Insulating layers should be checked to ensure they remain effective. Fortunately, as flat roofs approach the end of their lifespan, they offer a unique maintenance option of a roof coating. This unique option can add decades to the life of your existing roof.

3. Metal Panels

While cost can sometimes prohibit a full metal roof replacement, metal roofing panels are often used as an accent on a roof. They can also be used as a full replacement for customers who are prioritizing lifespan and durability over replacement cost. A metal roof inspection should look for signs of rust, sealant failures, and loose screws or panels.

Pay special attention to the areas around seams and junctions, where leaks are most likely to develop. Also, ensure that the roof is clean of debris to avoid corrosion and check for uneven wear patterns.

Landscaping and Outdoor Spaces

In addition to aesthetic purposes, it is essential to keep outdoor areas clean, organized, and in good condition for the community’s safety. This includes outdoor landscape maintenance. Remember, this is the community’s first impression of the community, so it is important to keep it well-maintained. Some areas to prioritize maintenance include:

1. Lawn Care: Regular mowing, fertilization, and aeration will promote healthy and beautiful lawns.

2. Pruning: Trimming trees and shrubs not only maintains their shape and encourages growth but also ensures our safety. Additionally, any trees or shrubs that overhang your property should be trimmed to avoid damage in a wind storm, keeping us all secure.

3. Weeding & Mulching: Removing unwanted weeds from garden beds helps make the grounds look well maintained. Applying mulch to garden beds helps to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth.

4. Seasonal Clean-Up: In Colorado and many surrounding states, fall means an abundance of leaves shed from trees everywhere. At the end of fall, it’s important to remove leaves and debris from the roof and gutters to prevent possible ice dams.

Maintaining the landscaping and outdoor spaces of your property is just as important as the building itself. Well-kept grounds improve curb appeal, making your property more inviting. In addition to those regular yard work tasks, inspections should be completed to ensure walkways and patios are clear and in good shape. While time-consuming, these efforts not only make the property appealing but can also increase its value and attract more tenants.

Siding and exterior walls

Spring is a great time to schedule an annual inspection of the exterior walls and the siding of your community. Power washing can help create a clean, crisp impression for community visitors. Furthermore, a thorough inspection of the siding, window trim, fascia, and soffits should be completed for any signs of damage or wear. These signs include cracks, peeling paint, or rotted caulking. If any of these items are found during these regularly scheduled inspections, they should be repaired immediately to prevent additional damage. In the end, a small amount of preventative maintenance could save much more by preventing extensive and expensive repairs in the long run, such as water damage and rot.

Parking areas

After our harsh Colorado winters, spring is a great time to inspect another portion of the exterior of your property. The parking area. The parking area should be absolutely free of any debris or hazards. It is a great time to identify and correct any newly developed potholes or damage to parking areas. Additionally, parking lot lighting should be checked for functionality and repaired if necessary for the safety of the community.

Windows & Doors

Windows and doors serve as intricate parts of the beauty and safety of your community. They should be regularly inspected for broken glass, damaged frames, or hardware issues. In this case, repairs should be prioritized for the safety and security of the community. Replacing old or damaged windows and doors can substantially increase the energy efficiency of each unit and reduce heating costs for owners.

Maintain your Multi-Family Property

Owning a property in an HOA-managed community can be challenging. We are busy and don’t always have time to prioritize these critical inspections. Luckily, full-service exterior maintenance companies can help schedule and complete these inspections. It is important to ensure licensing and insurance. Additionally, they will have experience dealing with the unique needs associated with multi-family properties.

Whether you need an inspection, routine maintenance, a quick repair, or a complete restoration, Custom Exteriors can help. We understand you want to make the most of your time. Therefor, we help with this by addressing your exterior needs professionally. Contact us today if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection of your community.