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1. Clean out slope v-ditches and catch basins. To keep the water draining freely from your community or home landscape and away from buildings, it's important to establish a preventive maintenance program. Plan to clean the catch basins and v-ditches at least twice a year — more often if the basin is directly beneath trees or you live in a region with frequent storms. This becomes especially important during rainy seasons when storm runoff is more prevalent. The purpose of a catch basin is not just to facilitate in water drainage, but also to maintain a clean and freely flowing v-ditch system from the yard to the end location. It's important to regularly clean the sediment out of the catch basin twice a year so that the basin doesn't become plugged and cause damage to the surrounding landscape or structures. This process is one of the most important aspects of landscape drainage plumbing maintenance. 2. Clean out rain gutters. Gutters and downspouts must be clear of leaves and debris to properly function. If they aren't, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, overflow, and eventually pull the gutters loose. Water that pools in troughs will rot wood gutters and can rust those made of sheet-metal. Plan to clean gutters at least twice a year — maybe more often if the roof is directly beneath trees or you live in a region with more winter storms. 3. Clean out fireplace hearths. Whether you have a fireplace in your clubhouse or in your home, cleaning a fireplace hearth can be extremely frustrating if you aren't familiar with the process. The most obvious tip that many people overlook is to use drop cloths during the process. Additionally, if you'd like to do this yourself in your home or for the association, you can always purchase a fireplace cleaner in your grocery store or local hardware store to clean the cement after you remove the soot. To make cleaning a lot easier, use a shop vacuum cleaner to clean out all the dust and ashes from your fireplace after taking out the items found in your fireplace that are too large to fit into the vacuum cleaner. 4. Keep up with flat roof maintenance. Flat roofs require significantly more maintenance than sloped roofs because debris collects easier on flat surfaces, causing dangerous conditions. Keeping the drains on the flat roof clear is the single most important maintenance task because a clogged drain on a flat roof can quickly trap standing water, which may result in damage to the structure. Use a hose to run a solid stream of water through the drains, clearing them of all debris. Additionally, use a broom or power washer to remove leaves and dirt from the roof surface during the fall that may turn into a dense sludge over the winter. Branches that could scrape the roof should be trimmed or removed before they cause damage. It's also a good idea to check the flashing each year at the same time for cracked caulking, which can be easily removed and replaced. - Clint J. Warrell CMCA®, AMS®, LSM®, PCAM® Branch President & Chief Operating Officer Professional Community Management Maintenance Tips for Active Adult Communities For age-restricted communities, also known as active adult communities, the maintenance program should be driven by tasks like routine safety and elevator inspections and facilities maintenance, such as tennis court and pool upkeep.

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