Fall Maintenance: Things You Should Know

September 5, 2012  Properties are exposed to natural elements on a daily basis which makes maintenance a necessity; and now is a better time than any to ensure your property is in good condition for the upcoming fall and winter months. Don’t wait until it’s raining to conduct proper fall maintenance!
The following are preventative property maintenance steps recommended (and services offered) by OCBS:

Inside Fall Maintenance:
Change the air filters in the furnace and check for Carbon Monoxide leakage.
Inspect and clean heating ducts and vents.
Check water heaters to ensure they are operating efficiently.
Fireplace and chimney inspections.
Check windows and doors for any leaks; seal to keep cold air out and warm air in.

Outside Fall Maintenance:
Clean gutters and make sure they are firmly in place so that they don’t get clogged, which could cause damage to the property’s foundation.
Clean and pack up patio and pool area furniture so that it does not deteriorate or rust.
Check for any damage, cracks or holes in the exterior siding.
Yard/landscaping maintenance: clean up any leaves or debris and trim trees. Plant grass seed to strengthen roots over the winter.
Check all windows and doors to make sure they are sealed, and caulk joints if necessary so that cold air does not come through (this saves on energy bills!).
Inspect your walkways for cracks or uneven pavement; better to take care of these problems now before it is raining and slippery outside.
Roof inspections to check for leaks or other trouble spots.
If the outside of your property needs a paint touch up, now is the time to do it.

Importance of Deck Maintenance and Waterproofing

Why are maintenance and waterproofing so essential to the longevity of a property's outdoor amenities?

It is important that a property's outdoor living space is properly maintained, as this maintenance will save you from expensive repairs down the line, as well as keep your decks, patios, and pool operating efficiently and safe for those using it.

Deck waterproofing is a must, especially if it is a deck that includes a swimming pool. Deck waterproofing will keep rainwater and any other liquid from entering into the material with which the deck is made. If the deck has not been waterproofed, water entered will eventually lead to the breaking down of the deck. This water damage may cause you to contend with a number of issues such as wood rot, rusting, mold growth, loosening of the soil beneath a concrete deck, steel rusting and de-laminating.

If you will be having visitors at your pool, decking with the right coating is also a must in order to prevent any slipping or falling in and around the pool. Decks, patios, and pool areas need to be waterproofed not only for safety and preservation, but also to make it look appealing. Decks often provide the setting for leisure time with company, bar-be-ques, pool parties, and other events. For property managers, outside amenities are a part of the image you provide to your customers. Deck maintenance keeps it looking professional, durable, and elegant.

OCBS employs professional deck coating applicators that maintain current certifications. Our technicians can inspect, evaluate and repair all deck coating systems.  Call (800) 834-2323 today to schedule your complementary consultation, or visit www.OCBSonline.com. Locations throughout Southern California.

Summer is here and OCBS is proud to announce the extension of our Spring Special.  Valid for all approved work orders received from before June 30th, we are offering reduced rate of $45 per hour* for all general maintenance service and repairs, including all handyman work (no contractor fee).  Do you have an emergency at your property or need work done immediately?  Not a problem.  Inquire with our service department about our 24 Hour Express Service.  

From small repairs to site-wide reconstruction, OCBS does it all!  For a full list of our general contracting and consulting services, visit www.OCBSonline.com or call us at 800.834.2323.  Please reference May Special when sending work orders.  We look forward to taking care of all of your Spring maintenance needs!

OCBS Roofing

Santa Ana winds?  Big-bad-wolf?  No matter what is threatening the integrity of your roof, OCBS is here to help you pick up the pieces!

OCBS is skilled in evaluating the condition of a roofing system and can help you save money by offering alternative repairs in lieu of a full roof replacement.

Services Offered include

• Emergency Service 24/7
• Roofing
• Weatherproofing (temporary & permanent)
• Temporary cover up
• Temporary & Permanent Repairs
• Water Extraction
• Gutter Cleaning

For more details visit http://www.ocbsonline.com/ or call us any time at 800-834-2323

In Hot Water

      We are pleased to announce completion of roof top boiler repairs at a mid-rise community in Playa Vista. Due to substandard workmanship during original construction the boiler pipes began to leak water onto the roof top, throughout the hallways, inside homes, and even into the subterranean parking structure. Our investigation discovered other deficiencies such as incorrect hot water circulating pump that Orange Coast also replaced concurrently with the boiler re-piping. After the roof top re-pipe and related repairs were complete OCBS seamlessly patched back drywall and stucco that was damaged by the leaks. OCBS orchestrated this process that minimized disruptions to the homeowners while allowing attorney and expert access since the property is in litigation. Our findings will aid in the recovery of costs incurred prematurely by this association. The earlier OCBS is involved the greater the opportunity you have to reduce or recover costs.

Monthly inspections and maintenance

 


Did you know Orange Coast Building Services, Inc. provides monthly maintenance and inspections to Community Associations (HOA) and apartment communities throughout California?

Orange Coast can utilize an existing maintenance manual for its inspections or tailor a new one to your property's specific needs. Our current client base ranges from weekly full-time on site technicians to quarterly inspections, recommendations, and repairs. Of course our technicians are always available after hours should a non-scheduled maintenance emergency arise. 

    Our technicians are experienced with all types of buildings including low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise, and also mixed use developments. Orange Coast's technicians are skilled in a wide variety of repairs such as painting, welding, drywall, electrical, lighting, rain gutter repairs and cleaning, BBQ and fireplace repairs.

Construction Glossary

Do you think aprons only apply in the kitchen? Find out how "aprons" are applicable to construction by visiting our new Construction Glossary on our website. We have listed over 600 commonly used construction terms and definitions that can help you save "fascia" with your clients.  We hope this glossary will help you see "daylight" at the end of the tunnel with "eaves." Don't under "estimate" this glossary, it can save you a lot of "elbow" grease and help you make the "grade"

Gaylen Malmberg

Gaylen Malmberg has been with OCBS for 15 years. He is one of our most versatile service technicians. Not only does he excel in finish carpentry, he is also well versed in electrical and lighting troubleshooting maintenance and repairs. Gaylen is a mentor to our less senior team members. If the Malmberg name sounds familiar, his wife, Dana, works in our Accounting Department and oversees all of our  purchasing.Although Gaylen is being recognized this month, both he and Dana are essential team members at Orange Coast Building Services. Gaylen is an avid sports fan and his favorite teams are the Dodgers (although our corporate office is a stolen base away from Angel Stadium) and Cowboys.