With the summer season departing, it's time to anticipate the crisper weather as the seasons turn to fall and winter. During this period, your homeowner's association (HOA) should be thinking about what changes to make regarding maintenance activities. This preparation will help ensure that all operations continue to run well and that your residents stay safe and happy throughout the colder months. 
 
We recommend the following four maintenance tips to help your HOA get ready for the season change: 
 

1. Go over all landscaping.  

The fall weather means extra landscaping preparation because the equipment needs to be winterized. The following are some tasks to do in the fall: 
  • Spraying for weeds and bugs
  • Planting annuals in your garden beds
  • Performing deep-root fertilizing
  • Checking all equipment (ex. watering clocks and irrigation systems)
  • Disconnecting hoses from hose bibs to avoid any freezing 
  • Removing fallen leaves that have collected around drainage areas and bushes
 
Even if you do not have a professional landscaper, you can attain the help of an experienced community association company. They will provide you with referrals to dependable and qualified companies. 
 

2. Winterize your pool and spa.

 
You should always make sure that your pool is inspected before closing it down. The essential pool maintenance you should be performing is: 
  • Checking all pumps and motors, and greasing the pump motor and bearings
  • Inspecting pipes for any corrosion or leaks
  • Cleaning, replacing and backwashing your pool filters
  • Cleaning filter baskets
  • Draining your pool's filter tank
  • Draining water from your pool to the level that is recommended by the manufacturer
  • Storing pool equipment
Much like your landscaping maintenance, you can get many pool maintenance vendor recommendations from a good community association management company.
 

3. Check your lighting.

With the colder weather comes the shorter days. This is why checking your lighting is very important. Look at all light fixtures to ensure they are intact and that all bulbs are fully functioning. Also, check that any emergency lighting is working well. 
 
Switching to LED lights is also in your best interest if you have not already made the change. Despite the higher up-front costs, the benefits are plentiful, and they will ultimately save you money in the long run because they last longer while being environmentally-friendly. 
 

4. Start planning your seasonal displays.

Many community association communities love the fall and winter seasons because it means decoration time for the holidays! If yours is one of them, review any plans beforehand with internal staff and management. It is a good idea to form an ad hoc committee to get your decorating ideas off the ground. 
 
Rely on experts to take care of any jobs beyond your capabilities, such as climbing on a roof to put up lights. If you do need outside help, start requesting vendor bids now. Also, be sure to trim any deciduous trees before stringing them with lights to reduce fire risk.
 
With these maintenance procedures comes proper budgeting. If you want to learn more about preparing for the colder weather, contact FirstService Residential, the leading community association management company in greater Kansas City.
 
Monday October 05, 2020