Even though it’s definitely not pool season in Dallas, your community pool should always be a priority of the Board. Take advantage of the cooler weather and handle some of the interior needs of your pool so that by the time spring rolls around, your pool will be properly prepared for guests.

By following these five steps from local HOA management professionals, your Board will be able to rest easy, knowing that one of the biggest amenities in the community is well-maintained.

1. Double Check Insurance Policies
2. Research Professional Management
3. Audit Pool Equipment
4. Ensure Pool Maintenance Fits In Next Year’s Budget
5. Review Pool Rules For Simplicity

1. Double Check Your Insurance Policies

Pools naturally come with a lot of risks involved for those that end up managing them. Before your pool opens up for the season, make sure that you have properly assessed any potential risk and covered your investment. Not only does injury insurance come into play here, but so does general insurance to cover any damages that could occur throughout the year. Your community pool has the power to really impact your bottom line, so make sure you are protected before bathing suit season.

2. Look into Professional Management

Boards are made up of volunteer community members. Unless they have specialized in pool or professional community management, they may only be able to manage this amenity at the surface level. With the help of their current association management team, a Board can take the right steps towards hiring professional pool management for 2019. This is important because not only are they going to be the most knowledgeable person for the job, but they will also assume most of the responsibility for the pool’s safety and maintenance.

3. Take Time to Audit Your Pool Equipment

During the off-season, check up on your pool equipment. Are all of your cleaning supplies in good condition? Is your diving board or water slide up to code? Checking with your management company or pool service provider can help you identify what aspects of your pool need to be inspected in order to guarantee a safe opening in the spring.

4. Make Sure That 2019 Pool Maintenance Fits in Your Budget

Every year your Board should review their community budget. One of the areas that need to be specifically reviewed is your pool maintenance costs. Find out how much plumbing, heaters, pumps, and technical equipment will cost from your current vendors in 2019. If the board is unsatisfied with the rates that are given, fortunately, there is time to rectify the situation by interviewing new vendors as recommended by a community management expert.

5. Review Your Pool Rules for Simplicity

Safety is the number one priority at a community pool. While the pool is unused, sit down and review the pool rules. Ask yourself these questions:

• What rules were broken the most in the last year?
• Did we have any unexpected accidents?
• Could things be spelled out better?

Sometimes changes to the rules need to be made and waiting until the final hour isn’t an option. Make sure your rules are clear and concise before people start getting ready for poolside fun.

Go Above and Beyond for Your Community with Professional Management from Goodwin & Company

In 2019, make sure that your Board has the assistance it needs to ensure that your community operates efficiently. Goodwin & Company is a Dallas-based company that specializes in assisting Boards with financial planning, bylaw enforcement, vendor contracting, and more.

If you are ready for your community to take some positive steps towards organization, reach out to us today. We are ready to help your Board enjoy their positions in the New Year.

Here are some easy ways to keep your community pool summer-ready.

 

 

An association board member’s job is a year-round commitment. While this responsibility is an honor, board members are volunteers who also have lives to live outside of community decisions. This issue especially comes up as the winter season approaches a community.

With the help of an association management team, your board can comfortably get your community winter-ready and ensure that no issues arise during a frigid Dallas winter.

Make Sure your Furnaces Are Prepped for Winter

Winter can get pretty cold out here in Texas, so taking the time to check your community furnaces is a great preparation practice. We suggest you reach out to a local HVAC company to come out and inspect your properties. Keeping your furnaces clean and maintained is important to them operating more efficiently and lowering heating bills as they are used more often. As an extra step, see if your management team can get your community on board with an energy savings program so that your community can always be prepared to beat high energy bills.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

Roof inspections are something your Association should be keeping up with and early winter is a great time to carry them out. Schedule a roof inspector to visit your community and check your roof for leaks, cracks, or insufficient insulation.

While this is being inspected, check up on the cleanliness of the gutters. These are also parts of your community that you want to keep clear during the winter. Frozen debris and build-up can cause substantial damage and flooding to your properties.

Maintain Leaf Removal

Schedule a routine leaf removal. Leaves pile up fast in the winter, and removing them from your community prevents the growth of harmful fungi and damage to your living plants. No homeowner wants a dead lawn once spring rolls around.

Empty Out Your Gas Tanks

All HOA communities rely on equipment to get their duties done. Before winter is in full-effect, run your gas-powered lawn equipment until the tank is on empty. You won’t be using this equipment much in the winter and gas left in your tank loses its volatility. Removing your gas will also prevent issues in the spring when you go to start your mower again.

Check That Your Irrigation System is Winterized

Winterize your irrigation system before it gets too cold. Pipe and sprinkler blowouts can be costly accidents. Some simple insulation tips can help prevent water from freezing in your pipes. If you aren’t sure of the winterizing steps you need to take for your community, ask your association management team about a reputable plumber who can perform these vital checks before it gets too cold.

Goodwin & Company Helps Your Association Find the Right Vendors for the Job

Hiring vendors that are reliable can be a tough choice to make as a board member. However, with the help of an association management team on your side managing seasonal maintenance, your board can make these important decisions with confidence.

At Goodwin & Company, we are a team of managers that have many trusted vendors in close contact. Reach out to us for any help with vendor services or general Community Association management.