Rental Property Maintenance Checklist – Plumbing

Rental property maintenance costs can quickly spiral out of control, impacting the profitability of your investment.

Keeping track of routine maintenance and practicing preventative care is essential to maximizing rental business returns.  In addition, it keeps things running efficiently and smoothly, which reduces the stress of surprise repairs.

In rental properties, plumbing issues are common and can be costly.  Drain cleaning is an inevitable reality, but there are other plumbing issues that can arise as well.  The following are some of the most common plumbing issues landlords face, as well as suggestions on how to solve them.

There is no doubt that modern water heaters have a limited life-span, and if they fail and leak water into your building, this could cause very costly damage. Keep track of the installation date of all water heaters and schedule replacements according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

When the main drain line is blocked, sewage and filthy water can flood your building. Every few years, it is a good idea to thoroughly clean those lines to prevent this risk. It is highly effective and gentle on pipes to jet them with high-pressure water to clear grease and build-up from the entire drain line. The line can either be jet-cleaned from the roof or removed by removing a toilet.

Consider using cameras to scope the sewer line to monitor its condition. Old buildings are especially suited to this type of maintenance. You can avoid sudden damage and disruption by knowing the condition of the drain line.

Bathroom sinks can also become clogged with hair and soap build-up. At each tenant turnover, you should remove the trap and sink stopper to clear any blockages. If the drain clogs during the next tenants’ residency, you will know it is their fault and can bill them accordingly.  You can also use a product like a “FlexiSnake” to unclog drains without disassembling them.

Water damage in rental properties is usually caused by leaks. Often, they are hidden under kitchen or bathroom sinks and go undetected. Leak detectors that sound an alarm or send an alert to your phone are now available at a reasonable price.

Check all fixtures, such as faucets and showerheads, regularly to ensure there are no leaks wasting water. We recommend putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank.  It is a sign of a leaking toilet if that color starts showing up in the bowl. When a leak is detected, it is usually best to replace the flapper assembly and fill valve.  It is often more cost-effective to replace old toilets that use a large volume of water with new ones, however, because of the high cost of water.

An issue with plumbing can range from a rapidly flooding basement to a small leak. As a landlord, you need to address each of these issues, some more quickly than others. You should be aware of the landlord-tenant laws in your area, as water issues are typically a high priority and require an immediate response from the landlord.

Here are a few items you should know about your rental property before we discuss plumbing emergencies. It is important to know where the main water supply is located. It’s crucial to know this in case of a plumbing emergency (and helpful for other plumbing problems as well). The first step we take with customers is to make sure tenants, owners, and property specialists know where the main water supply is located.

The basics of your water heater are also important: how to turn it on and off, how to increase the temperature, and where the pilot light is.

When too much water pressure builds up at a weak joint, a pipe can burst. The pipes can also burst in the winter when leftover water expands when frozen, so exterior pipes and interior pipes exposed to the cold should be insulated. If a pipe bursts, you will probably hear a loud pop – otherwise, there will be significant leakage.

It is important to address burst pipes as soon as possible. If the leak persists, turn off the main water line and call a plumber right away. Immediately after shutting off the water, drain all the faucets and clean up the water. Dry out the area around the leak by letting in as much warm air as possible.

It’s a little more difficult to diagnose a lack of hot water – a variety of factors can contribute to this. Here are a few items to look at:

• What is the temperature of your water? Temps below 120 degrees F can also cause bacterial growth in your aquarium – so raise the heat if they’re below that mark. You may burn yourself if you exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The pilot light needs to be checked. A gas water heater will have a pilot light that needs to be re-lit if it goes out. There will be an ignition switch on new heaters, while older models may require manual lighting. When relighting the pilot, refer to the user manual.

•  Water heaters should be flushed. It is possible for sediment and other buildups to cause your water heater to lose its effectiveness over time. Review your user manual for directions on flushing your tank – this may or may not be the landlord’s responsibility.

• The heater has water pooling around it. If you notice a leak or determine that the pooled water comes from your heater, you should fix it. In the long run, the leak will get worse, so we recommend calling a plumber.

Broken Water Line

Landlords face a lot of headaches when their water lines break. It is not an easy fix, and it is usually quite expensive. The following are some signs that your water line needs to be repaired:

• Water pressure is poor. You may have a leak if your tenants notice the water pressure is lower than normal. In the absence of other signs of water damage or a leak on the property, it may be the water line. Bringing in a pro to scope your line is the next step.

• Water bills are increasing. There may be a leak in the ground if you or your tenants notice the water bill going up. If the city notices any significant changes, it will notify you/your tenants, but, again, get a plumber to inspect your water line.

• The ground is wet. The tenants may notice soft spots or water build-up in the front lawn if the water line is broken. A property can be severely damaged by water. Maintain your plumbing systems regularly and keep an eye out for any signs of malfunction.