SPM Residential Services works with trusted local vendors to help protect your investment property and reduce avoidable maintenance issues. In this short webinar, two of our preferred partners share simple preventive maintenance tips to help owners and residents avoid common (and costly) problems.
Key Takeaways
Flush water heaters yearly (for units under 10 years old) to potentially extend lifespan.
Winterize irrigation systems to avoid freeze damage to valves and components.
Treat garbage disposals like helpers, not trash cans, and run hot water to keep things moving.
High water bills often come from silent-running toilets - checking the meter can reveal leaks fast.
Annual roof and gutter inspections help prevent interior leaks, rot, and the need for costly remediation later.
Before hurricane season, document your roof condition with photos to make claims easier if damage occurs.
Some owners may qualify for fortified roofing grants that can offset roof replacement costs.
Meet two of SPM’s preferred vendors
Blue Water Plumbing Service
Jamie Rue and the Blue Water Plumbing team shared the most common plumbing calls they see and how property owners can prevent them.
House FX Roofing
Mark House with House FX Roofing covered proactive roof care, leak identification basics, and grant programs that may help owners fund roof replacement upgrades.
Plumbing: Common issues and the preventive steps that matter
Water heaters: A yearly flush can add years of life
Some of the most common service calls involve water heaters. A simple annual flush can help prevent sediment buildup and may extend a water heater's life.
Key points from the webinar
Recommended once per year for both tank and tankless systems.
For units under 10 years old, flushing is strongly recommended.
For units over 10 years old, flushing may sometimes create issues, so it is typically approached with more caution.
Owner tip
If you are unsure of the water heater's age, ask your property manager to confirm it before scheduling preventive flushing.
Irrigation: Winterizing prevents expensive freeze damage
If your home has irrigation, winterization is one of the easiest ways to avoid surprise repairs after a freeze.
What winterization can include
Shutting off the irrigation meter (if it is on a separate meter)
Bleeding the system down
Protecting or even temporarily removing the RPZ/backflow device so it cannot freeze
Reinstalling and testing when the season returns
Why this matters
Frozen valves and backflow components are a common winter call - and they can get expensive fast.
Garbage disposals: What not to put in them (and how to keep them working)
Garbage disposals fail early when treated like catch-alls.
Avoid putting these in the disposal
Onion peelings
Corn husks/shucks
Anything “silky” or fibrous that does not grind well
Simple preventative routine
When cleaning the kitchen at night:
Run hot water
Turn on the disposal for 30-45 seconds.
This helps keep blades freer and can keep the drain clearer.
Dishwasher not draining or cleaning well? Check the disposal
A practical point from the plumbing section: many dishwashers tie into the garbage disposal. So sometimes a “dishwasher problem” is really a disposal or drain issue.
If the dishwasher is not draining properly
The disposal may be clogged, stuck, or not moving water through the drain line effectively.
High water bills: Running toilets are a top culprit
A sudden spike in water usage is often caused by a toilet running so quietly that you do not notice it.
What to do
Take the tank lid off and listen for subtle refill sounds after flushing.
Use a simple “telltale” check: look at the water meter when everything in the home should be off.
If the meter is spinning - even slightly - there may be a leak.
A slow spin is frequently associated with a running toilet.
Why this matters
A small, steady toilet leak can add up quickly and create a surprisingly high bill.
Roofing: Prevent problems before they show up inside
The best baseline: annual roof + gutter inspection
A roof inspection paired with gutter inspection/cleaning is one of the simplest forms of preventive maintenance for rental homes.
What an inspection helps catch early
Gutter debris that can cause rainwater damming and overflow
Areas of rot or damage in trim, fascia, or soffit
Minor issues that become major once water reaches the interior drywall
If you wait until you see water stains inside the home, you may already be dealing with more extensive repairs and remediation.
Leak stains after rain: start with an attic inspection
When an owner or resident notices staining after a storm, the first step is often to check the attic and roof sheathing for visible watermarks. Pinpointing the exact entry point can be tricky, but the attic inspection is usually where the story becomes clearer.
Before hurricane season: document roof condition with photos
Because coastal storms can create claims disputes, documenting the roof’s “before” condition can be extremely helpful.
Why it helps
If storm damage occurs later, photos taken earlier in the season can help resolve disputes over whether damage was pre-existing.
Fortified roofing grants: possible funding support for eligible owners
House FX Roofing referenced fortified roofing grants for certain insured homes in North Carolina, with grant amounts varying by location.
Highlights mentioned
Inland grant: up to $6,000 toward roof replacement
Coastal/beach grant: up to $8,000 toward roof replacement
Owners can check eligibility through program and insurer resources
Owner note
If you want to explore this, ask your property manager to connect you with the vendor so you can confirm eligibility and next steps.
What owners should do next
If you want help scheduling preventive maintenance, reach out to your SPM Residential Services property manager. They can help coordinate:
Water heater flushing (where appropriate)
Irrigation winterization
Drain/disposal evaluations
Roof and gutter inspections
Next steps for storm readiness and documentation
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