Alabama isn't known for its harsh winters, but the 2023-2024 weather outlook predicts a lot of moisture. Damp conditions equal more wear and tear on homes, making winter maintenance a must.
Preventative maintenance is vital to protecting your property--or that of other HOA members--and its value now and in the future. This is where living in an HOA comes in handy. Proactive HOA boards have checklists of seasonal tasks and ensure the entire community keeps to those standards.
Keep reading and find out the HOA property maintenance tasks that may be taken care of collectively or by individual homeowners.
Check HVAC Systems
Each home's HVAC system needs an inspection before winter hits. Even though temperatures will generally stay mild in Hoover, all HOA members need fully functioning heating systems to remain comfortable in their homes.
Call an expert to inspect heating and duct systems before the first cool weather arrives. You'll need time to arrange repairs if any homes have faulty HVAC systems.
Roof and Gutter Maintenance
During a wet winter, roof repair and gutter maintenance are paramount. If you have homes with clogged gutters and roof debris, they'll have serious problems if the temperature dips and the moisture freezes.
All it takes is a bit of gutter and roof cleaning to ensure the homes stay protected throughout the winter months. It'll help you avoid roof leaks and irreparable damage to gutters.
Prepare the Pipes
Similarly, pipes across the HOA need to be protected during the cooler months. Should the pipes freeze, it could lead to bursting, which will cause expensive damage to homes' foundations and potential flooding.
This goes for any common areas as well. Drain the water from pools and sprinkler systems, add insulation to outdoor pipes wherever possible, and ensure residents know to keep their basements heated to protect piping.
Plan for Winter Weather
Another thing you can do as an HOA board member or homeowner with an HOA is plan for the possibility of terrible winter weather. However unlikely it may be, you never want to be caught out by a serious dump of snow, sleet, or freezing rain.
Plan for poor weather at your next HOA meeting; ensure you cover every possible eventuality.
Start by talking to all your vendors--snow and ice removal or power services, in particular. If the worst happens, you want to be able to deal with problems immediately.
Set some of your budget aside for dealing with winter weather problems early and quickly.
HOA Property Maintenance and Management Explained
In a place like Hoover, predicting what the winter weather will do can be tricky. That's why taking care of every bit of maintenance early is vital. You don't want your homeowners caught out by the adverse conditions.
Don't know how to deal with this maintenance? A HOA management professional can help.
At PMI Birmingham Region, we leverage our excellent relationships with local vendors to offer services at your fingertips. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with HOA property maintenance.
