Warmer days are around the corner so make sure you are ready to prepare your pool for the summer. Test your equipment, check safety features, and have sparkling clean water ready for the first splash of the summer season. Before opening the pool for swimming, follow these 12 simple steps below:

1) Remove, clean, and store the pool cover
 

2) Thoroughly clean and vacuum the pool
 

3) Add water to the desired height at the prescribed rate of 1” (25mm) per hour
 

4) Test water balance, pH, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, and total alkalinity levels
 

5) Inspect electrical service, filters, skimmers, drains, ladders, diving boards, plugs, gauges, and other important components of the system
 

6) Lubricate fittings, valves, o-rings, and plugs
 

7) Inspect tile and grout installations
 

8) Clean and inspect pool deck
 

9) Skim pool water surface and vacuum pool bottom
 

10) Backwash filter, if necessary
 

11) Shock pool water to breakpoint levels
 

12) Add algaecide, as required

Friday, December 23, 2016 office closed at 2PM MT 

Monday, December 26, 2016 office closed

Friday, December 30, 2017  office closed at 3PM MT

Monday, January 2, 2017 office closed

Buyers Access Thanksgiving Office Hours:

Wednesday, Nov. 23rd - Closing early at 3PM

Thursday, Nov. 24th - Closed (Company recognized holiday)

Friday, Nov. 25th - Closed (Company recognized holiday)

As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to take a moment to express our gratitude to our valued members and supplier partners. Our customers never fail to energize and inspire us. Thank you for your business, your unwavering confidence, and your commitment to our partnership. We couldn't have done this without you!

What is Ice Melt?

Ice melt, as the name suggests, is any product used to melt ice—available in various formats including granules, pellets, powder, flakes, or liquid. When ice melt product is applied, it creates a chemical reaction that lowers the freezing point and liquefies, or melts, the ice. The type of chemical in your ice melt product determines the ability, rate, and temperature which melting occurs.

Types of Ice Melt

Typically ice melt granules are the most effective; they are less likely to blow away in windy conditions and they penetrate deeper than powder or flakes. Ice melt products can be pure concentrations or blends of fast-acting chemicals such as:

• Sodium chloride (rock salt)
• Magnesium chloride
• Calcium chloride
• Potassium chloride

If you are interested in how your property can benefit from ice melt products and more, reach out to our team today.

Contact Member Services

Preparing Your Properties For Winter

Depending on where your properties are located, you may find yourself spending weeks preparing them for the cold winter months. Even those in more temperate climates will need to do some basic housekeeping in order to keep maintenance calls in check.

Here are a few preparation tips for your property as winter approaches:

• Prepare to have ice melting products on hand.

• Tune-up the snow blower to ensure it will function properly before use.

• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses in order to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Service any working fireplaces prior to burning a fire and be sure to check the flue for proper ventilation.

• Inspect the current heating systems in your rentals for potential problems.

• Conduct a solid inspection of the property to check for leaks and drafts that may need additional insulation.

• Change air filters and the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

It is helpful to provide your residents with a handy winter preparation checklist that they can refer to. The list makes it easier for residents to remember what needs to be done, and they can check off the item once it’s completed. This makes for more satisfied residents and a well-maintained property.

Want to make sure your property is prepared for winter? Contact your Account Manager today for more winter essentials information.
 

Copyright: Harvepino

In light of the impending threat of Hurricane Matthew to the East Coast, NMHC is urging members to take the threat seriously and make necessary preparations.

Hurricane Matthew has tracked over the Bahamas is moving northwest towards Miami and the east coast of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Hurricane Matthew is forecast to hit Florida late Thursday and work its way up the coastline, inflicting serious damage with sustained wind speeds of 125 mph and coastal flooding.

Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have all declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.

NMHC members with properties in any of the affected areas should refer to the resources below for pre-storm planning and post-disaster response.

National Resources

• NMHC – Disaster Planning
• NMHC – Emergency Preparedness Guidance for Apartment Firms
• FEMA – Hurricane Matthew Press Release and Resources
• Ready.gov – Prepare yourself before, during, and after a hurricane
• Live updates from FEMA’s twitter
• Live tracking of Hurricane Matthew

State Resources

• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety
• South Carolina Emergency Management Division

Read more on NMHC website here.

Upcoming Events/Shows

MHA – Minnesota Multihousing Association Fall Conference
October 11, 2016
St. Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN
http://www.mmha.com/EDUCATION/2016-fall-convention
 

CVAA Trade Show & Seminar Series
October 13, 2016
Richmond International Raceway- Dominion Bldg., Richmond, VA
http://www.vamaonline.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=751940&group=

NEAHMA Conference & Trade Show
October 18 – 19, 2016
Lombardo’s, Randolph, MA
http://www.neahma.org/programs/annual-conference-trade-show/
 

NAHMA Fall Meeting
October 23 – 25, 2016
The Fairmont, Washington, D.C.
https://www.nahma.org/product/fall-meeting-registration/

IAA – Midwest Multifamily Conference
October 25 – 26, 2016
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN
http://midwestmultifamily.org/

Connect with our Sales Team today!

Do you cringe when you hear the words “budget season?” If so, you’re certainly not alone. Budget season is a busy time for multifamily professionals. With numbers to crunch and dollars to stretch, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. Take a deep breath and check out these 5 tips to help make this budget season a little less stressful in your office.

1. Stay Organized
Walking in to the office each morning and being greeted by a messy, disorganized desk is a guaranteed way to start your day off on a stressful note. So, at the end of each day, take a few minutes to organize your desk so you can start the next day with your paperwork organized and easy to find.

2. Take a Break
Stand up and stretch. Take 5 deep breaths. Take a quick walk around the block. Stepping away from your desk every now and then allows you to clear your head so you’re mentally prepared to take on your next task.

3. Ask for Help
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Instead, delegate tasks to your team so you can all work together to ensure everything gets finished.

4. Make Your Health a Priority
During the busy budget season, it’s easy to put yourself last on your list of priorities. Don’t fall into that trap! Unhealthy habits like frequent trips to the vending machine and skimping on sleep can actually make you more stressed! Instead, make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting regular exercise and clocking enough sleep each night so you wake up feeling rejuvenated and ready to bring your A-game to the office. 

5. Leave Your Work at Work
I know, I know. It’s easier said than done. But you’ll drive yourself (and your family and friends) crazy if you’re constantly checking your email at all hours of the day. Instead, carve out quality time with your family and friends --  free of work distractions! And stop checking emails a couple hours before bed so you can unwind before you go to sleep.
 

- See more at: http://blog.apartments.com/5-tips-for-less-stress-this-budget-season#sthash.9JYXZu9w.74hUBb1f.dpuf