Blog Post

Common Maintenance Issues for Your Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • Nov 04, 2021

Being Prepared for Common Challenges Can Reduce Stress

Garbage Disposal in Rental

As with any property, your Long Beach rental is bound to face some common yet inconvenient maintenance issues. Thus, you must be prepared for these problems and know how to fix them. This will not only save you time but also save you money on unnecessary and costly repairs. 


Below are some of the most
common maintenance issues that landlords face and the best ways to remedy them. 


Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are very temperamental appliances that can have a variety of issues and cause your tenants unwarranted strife. 


Commonly, garbage disposals become jammed and, subsequently, cannot turn on or hum when turned on. To clear the garbage disposal, turn it off at the breaker box and free the blades with your hand. Remember to protect yourself with gloves. Afterward, remind your tenants that vegetable peels (especially potato peels), eggshells, fruit pits, bones, and non-food items should not go down the garbage disposal and will almost certainly cause feature jams.


Additionally, garbage disposals tend to smell over time, which may dissuade your tenants from using the sink. One way to remove the disgusting odor is by running lemon wedges and ice through the garbage disposal for a few seconds. The fresh, citrus fragrance can clear out any foulness. If that does not work, pouring baking soda and vinegar down the garbage disposal may help. 


Well-maintained garbage disposals can last for up to fifteen years. That being said, having numerous tenants come through your Long Beach rental likely causes added wear to all your appliances, including the garbage disposal. As such, you may need to replace it every eight years. 


Leaky Faucets

The sound of a leaky faucet dripping into the sink can be an irritating nuisance that keeps your tenants up at night. Furthermore, a leaky faucet that goes unfixed for any length of time can be a critical waste of water. 


Before repairing a leaky faucet, you should shut off the water supply below the sink. If there is no shutoff valve for the individual sink, turn off the property’s water supply. 

Then, you can remove the faucet handle. Start by identifying what kind of handle it is. If the handle has a set screw behind it, you can use a hex key to remove the screw. Conversely, if the handle has a top screw cover, you can remove the cover with a flat screwdriver and use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw. 

Once you have successfully removed the screw, you can detach the faucet handle and now have access to the faucet stem. With a wrench, remove the faucet stem’s packing nut. Now, you can take out the faucet stem and replace it. If necessary, you can take the faucet stem to Home Depot or your local home improvement and use it to find a matching replacement. 


Before installing the new faucet stem, inspect the O-ring to ensure it is not broken. Afterward, you can put in the new faucet stem and reattach the faucet handle. Turn the water supply back on and see if the faucet is still leaking, or if there are any additional problems from installation. If you are still experiencing a leaky faucet, then there may be a larger issue that requires a plumber’s assistance. 


Broken Dishwashers

There are many reasons your Long Beach rental’s dishwasher may be acting up. Most times, these are minor inconveniences that require little or no maintenance. 


Most likely, your tenants will complain about the dishwasher leaking water during its cycles. Dishwasher leaks can have relatively minor solutions, such as using less detergent, stacking dishes correctly, or putting in fewer dishes. Perhaps the door seal is worn and needs to be replaced. The replacement seal can be identified in the owner’s manual.


Another typical issue your tenants may face is dirty dishes after a cycle. Similar to leaks, dirty dishes may be the cause of improperly stacking dishes or overloading the dishwasher. Additionally, the hot water stop valve under the sink may not be fully open. This means the water inlet valve may be clogged and needs cleaning. Clearing out the water inlet valve should allow your dishwasher to fill and heat properly, thus making your tenant’s dishes cleaner. 


If none of these resolutions work, then you may need to install a new dishwasher. On average, dishwashers last ten to fifteen years. However, as previously discussed, the constant turnover of new tenants shortens the lifespan of your Long Beach Rental’s appliances. It may also be beneficial to upgrade to an
energy efficient dishwasher as they tend to be more reliable and more cost-effective. 


Having background on these common maintenance issues will make it easier to inevitably fix them for your tenants. If you need further assistance with caring for your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our
Owner Application online.


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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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