Blog Post

When Making Repairs or Upgrades to Core Systems What Should You Consider?

Dustin Edwards • Aug 11, 2022

Keeping Up With Your Core System Maintenance/Upgrades is Essential

It's never exciting to have to make repairs to your Long Beach rental, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your core systems. Well maintained air conditioning, plumbing and electrical are necessary to keep your tenants happy and reduce the cost of long term maintenance on the core systems. 


When should you consider repairs over upgrades? How do you know when it's time to upgrade your core systems? 


Join us as we go over the importance of your rental’s core systems, when to consider repairing and when to simply upgrade a system.


HVAC System

The HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system in your Long Beach rental makes sure your tenant is comfortably warm during the winter seasons and cool during the summer heat. Most HVAC systems have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years depending on maintenance and use. Inconsistent maintenance or an accumulation of debris on the HVAC unit can cause unwanted wear on the HVAC system. Usually HVAC units older than 10 years can appear to work just fine, but may have lost much of their efficiency over time. This can lead to an increase in your tenant’s utility bills which can upset tenants or cause them to move out.


When should I replace my HVAC system?


If your HVAC system is less than 10 years old and has been maintained properly, you should consider having a trustworthy HVAC repair company have a look at your system. They should be able to know if your system is worth repairing. Oftentimes if a unit is over 10 years old and causing issues, you’ll be recommended to replace the HVAC unit entirely. Trying to repair an older HVAC system may cost half of what a new one would cost to install. Many homeowners will recognize that a repaired system isn’t worth it in the long term. 


Plumbing 

Many homes in Long Beach were originally built in the 1940’s, in those times galvanized steel and cast iron pipes were popular and the standard for plumbing. Although these materials have a long lifespan, galvanized steel being 20 to 50 years and cast iron being 75 to 100 years joints and fitting can still fail long before the pipe does.


Currently the most commonly used pipes in homes are copper, pvc, and cpvc, though PEX plumbing has been growing in popularity for its ease of installation and flexibility which lowers installation costs although more expensive than pvc. PEX has fewer joints and fittings whereas pvc and copper are more rigid which requires a fitting for every angle and a couplers for longer runs. There is no best material for plumbing, price, time and the scope of the job tend to determine what should be used.


How do I know if my plumbing is bad?


Typically a tenant may notice plumbing going bad before the landlord does, unless you live onsite. If your tenant notices the following problems, it may be time to consider replacing your plumbing:


  • Strange odor in the water - this usually means there's a buildup of bacteria within the pipes.
  • Discolored water - water with unusual or brown colors can indicate rust in the water due to corrosion.
  • Slow drain - if a drain doesn’t unclog after cleaning agents or plumbing snakes. Your drain pipe may be severely corroded.


If the plumbing in your Long Beach rental has never been replaced it may be only a matter of time before a problem arises. It's better to stay ahead of the problem since replacing old pipes before they break can prevent water damage which can save you thousands of dollars over time. For large items such as replacing plumbing consider tackling these projects when a tenant vacates and prior to the new tenant occupying your rental.


Electrical

Electrical wiring in rentals often gets neglected, but should be a priority. Older homes like the ones in Long Beach CA could still be using wires with cloth insulation which can lead to electrical fires and thousands of dollars in damages. Sure electrical work can be expensive, but preventative maintenance in this case can save lives. For this reason we always recommend you hire a skilled electrician to do any repairs or upgrades.


How do I Know if My Rental Needs to be Rewired?


Some homes may not need a full rewire, others may just require an upgraded panel to a higher amperage or add a few circuits to the existing panel to meet the needs of modern homes. Below are some signs to keep an eye on that may indicate the need for electrical work.


  • Circuit breaker trips often - When a breaker trips often, this can indicate an overload of the circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault or a faulty breaker. This may require more circuits to be added to the panel. If this isn’t possible due to lack of space you may need to upgrade the panel to a higher amperage.
  • Old wiring -  Old cloth wiring can be potentially dangerous especially when newer wires are connected to them. This may require an electrician to inspect your panel, switches, and outlets to determine if your rental needs a full or partial rewire.
  • Short circuit -  If the home has outlets or lights that are off while there all the circuit breakers are on, this may indicate a short circuit. This should only require an electrician to replace the damaged wire however, an electrician may recommend additional circuits to avoid overloading any individual circuit.
  • Old panel - From the mid 1950’s to the early 1980’s homes may have installed a Zinsco electrical panel, these panels if in good condition are not a problem. But when there is even a small problem with Zinsco panels it can be dangerous and expensive. These should always be replaced as the breakers for Zinsco panels often cost more than 10 times the price of modern breakers.


Making sure the core systems in your Long Beach rental are well maintained and properly functioning can lead to happy tenants which will provide steady income. If you are unsure you need to replace the plumbing, electrical or HVAC systems or need help finding trustworthy tradesmen call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.


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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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