Ah, summer… the smell of sweet saltwater lingers in the air, while the San Diego County Fair beckons locals and tourists alike with chocolate-covered bacon and drumsticks.

Routine maintenance isn’t on the agenda. But should it be?

Delaying routine maintenance like painting, wood repairs and roofing can create bigger problems if left to its’ own devices. While this list isn’t comprehensive, it will certainly give you a head start on the competition (and the wood rot) when tackling that summer maintenance to-do list.

1) Take a walk.

Walking around the perimeter of your property will give you the best perspective and enable you to not only see, but touch or smell a potential problem. Use those five senses as you take in the latest changes on your property.

2) Scan the area for unexpected wood rot.

Do you see buckling paint or tiny holes in the wood at your property? These and “mud tunnels” connecting moist areas to a wood source are good signs that your property may have (or once had) a termite problem. Insects reach wooden areas through cracks in the foundation wall, behind stucco exteriors, or by way of patios and porches resting in soil.

Once you’ve tackled the termite infestation – repair wood rot or cracked stucco. This will help to prevent further insects and animals from compromising your structure.

3) Keep an eye out for lasting leaks.

If a leak has been persistent on your property, it may not be a temporary problem. Look up to find roof leaks or down for compromising slab leaks. Slab leaks occur when plumbing has corroded, broken or been compromised, and has started to leak under or in your building’s foundation.

4) Look for peeling paint, minor cracks or bubbling along the surface of stucco, metal railings or other exterior materials.

Chipping, peeling or crumbling stucco is a good sign that you need a paint job! Faded paint often occurs first, but the damage only gets worse from there. While paint is often viewed as a cosmetic feature on a building, it also protects.

(Happy tenants and a full house are only perks!)

5) Inspect air-conditioning units.

When it comes to air conditioning, summer is the busy season! Much like you wouldn’t drive 20,000 miles without ever changing the oil on your car, don’t keep running your HVAC units without proper maintenance. Keep your units clean and free of debris. Adjust the refrigerant level if necessary, and inspect the unit’s coils, control box and compressor regularly.

Your five senses will come in handy again when the unit is running. Listen for abnormal noises and sniff out any unusual smells before moving on.

6) Scan your exterior for exposed wood.

Exposed wood is never a good thing and may eventually compromise the overall building structure if wood rot occurs. Tackle exposed wood early and you’ll likely save yourself money on expensive wood repairs down the road.

What if wood rot has already occurred? Damaged wood should be replaced or caulked and repaired, then painted. If you’re afraid that wood along the sides of your building is rotting, gently press your hand or a screwdriver to the wood to see if it easily breaks apart.

The above may only be the start to proper building care and maintenance, but with practice… you’ll be a pro in no time!