Spring Clean your Strata Property: Tips for Maintenance and Defect Management

Date Published: 19 October 2023, updated 16 October 2024

Prevention is key to maintaining your strata property's value and functionality. Spring has sprung and now is the perfect time for strata managers to encourage strata committees and owners’ corporations to embark on a spring clean and health check of their strata property.

During the winter months, heavy use of heating systems, closed windows, coupled with neglected gardens and underused common areas, can increase the risk of long-term damage or major issues arising. It's time for strata committees to revisit their maintenance plans, ensuring the cleanliness, functionality, and overall value of the property while mitigating the risk of future issues.

Plan for an inspection and know what you are dealing with in terms of defects:

Consider scheduling an annual inspection to prevent your building from deteriorating. Identifying and addressing minor defects early can save you from major problems down the line.

What to look out for:

Efflorescence, peeling paint, and minor settlement cracking.
Cladding issues: Ensure compliant cladding has been used, and schedule rectification if non-compliant materials are present.
Waterproofing problems: Check for leaks from roofs, mould, blistering paint, rising damp, and cracked walls.
Plumbing and drainage concerns: Address blocked drains, leaking pipes, and sewage backups.
Electrical issues: Inspect for faulty wiring, damage, or outdated wiring.

Common Defect Examples

Here are some common building defects that strata managers should look out for when conducting spring cleaning:

1. Water Damage

Winter’s wet weather may have left the property with some water damage in the form of stains on walls or ceilings, leaks, dampness, and mould growth.

2. Roof Damage

Inspect the roof for any missing, loose, or broken tiles, signs of water pooling, or sagging. Any moss or algae growth usually indicates moisture retention which will require prompt attention.

3. Plumbing Issues

Check for any leaky sinks, showers, and toilets. Inspect plumbing including downpipes and roof gutters and remove any debris that may cause blockages. Replace broken or corroded pipes.

4. Electrical Issues

Keep an eye out for any signs of power tripping such as flickering lights, short circuiting, tripped wiring and exposed or frayed wires. These may indicate outdated systems that pose a fire hazard.

5. Structural Damage

Cracks in walls, sloping staircases, sunken floors, misaligned doors and windows, and broken support columns are all signs of damage that can affect the structural integrity of your property.

Focus on Common Areas and Garden Maintenance:

Common areas make a lasting impression on residents and visitors. Devote special attention to these spaces to maintain your complex's appeal. Work together with residents to pool resources for tasks like window cleaning and appliance servicing, which may be more cost-effective when done collectively. Remove debris, fallen leaves, and branches from the grounds, trim overgrown vegetation, and clear gutters. If applicable, clean and inspect shared outdoor amenities, such as barbeque areas, swimming pools, or playgrounds, to ensure they are safe and ready for use.

Declutter:

Organise a council clean-up for the entire apartment block to clear storage areas and prevent unwanted furniture from being dumped outside.

Waste Management:

Consider adopting a more efficient and eco-friendly waste management system. Innovations in waste management offer better ways to reuse, recycle, compost, and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable living environment.

By proactively managing maintenance and defects in your strata property, you can create a sustainable, welcoming environment for residents while maintaining a safe and structurally sound complex.

To understand more about maintenance and defect management, owners’ corporations should work together with their maintenance providers, strata managers, insurance brokers and insurers to ensure the best outcome for their property.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips:

While spring is the perfect time to address any maintenance issues, keeping your strata property in top shape year-round is key to ensuring safety, minimising costly repairs, and protecting your investment.

Here’s a seasonal maintenance guide to help you focus on the right tasks for the remaining seasons:

Spring

Inspect and troubleshoot all air conditioners and cooling systems to ensure they’re running efficiently. Clean out ventilation systems and air filters and consider servicing or updating appliances.
Secure any loose items in common areas such as chairs and outdoor furniture to prevent them from becoming projectiles in windy weather and storms
Cut back any overhanging trees/shrubs.

Summer

Ensure all handrails, balconies, and fences are structurally sound.
Test smoke alarms, inspect fire extinguishers, and remind residents of proper safety measures around BBQs and open flames.
Clean and maintain the pool and pool area.
Clear out gutters and drainage systems which can also be a fire hazard

Autumn

Ensure all heaters are working properly. Inspect boilers, furnaces, and radiators.
Weatherproof doors and windows to stop cold drafts and dampness.
Inspect the roof and make any repairs before winter sets in.
Ensure all lighting works in common areas including parking lots and pathways.

Winter

Display signage to warn of wet or slippery floors.
If your property is prone to snow and ice, clear away and apply grit or salt in entrances and pathways to prevent falls.
Regularly inspect and maintain heating systems and remind residents to keep the thermostat at a safe level to avoid freezing pipes.
Remind residents of safety measures around open fires and naked flames.
Inspect and maintain common area fireplaces.
Inspect smoke alarms and ensure fire extinguishers and fire blankets are functional.
Ensure window shutters are functional.

Sustainability Practices

Additionally, eco-friendly maintenance options can improve the safety and value of your strata property while reducing your carbon footprint (and energy bills). Here are some ways you can do this:

1. Water-efficient landscaping

Plant native plants to reduce watering requirements and to create a more low-maintenance garden.

2. Solar-powered lighting

Install solar-powered lights along pathways and in common areas to improve safety and visibility while reducing energy costs.

3. Composting programs for common areas

Set up composting bins and encourage residents to dispose of their organic waste to reduce landfill and promote local biodiversity.

4. Implementing water-saving techniques

Harvest rainwater and greywater to water gardens and clean common areas to save water. Consider installing drip irrigation systems to further conserve water over warmer months.

5. Installing energy-efficient appliances

Upgrade broken or outdated appliances with energy-efficient alternatives to reduce energy consumption and save on energy bills.

Review your strata insurance policy:

Flex Insurance offers you the choice and flexibility of cover. Choose comprehensive cover or tailor the cover to best fit your personal circumstances. Make sure your sum insured on your policy has been updated and accurately valued, so that if the unexpected should occur, you will be accurately covered for the total replacement value.

At Flex, we try to keep it simple when it comes to strata insurance, and keeping your building well maintained, addressing defects early and effectively communicating with your strata manager or your insurer are all important steps you can take to adequately protect your home or investment.

Get a quote for your flexible strata insurance, or contact us for more information.