Maintenance Mindset

Most properties have standards. Very few have a real scope and that’s why work gets missed, vendors improvise, and “done” means something different to everyone. Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ explains why scopes matter far beyond vendor contracts - and why vague words like “done” cause confusion, risk, and inconsistent results. Using make ready work, roof repairs, wo...

People aren't promoted into maintenance - they're promoted out of it. That one idea changes everything about how you think about maintenance careers, training, and what it really takes to move from entry-level work to leadership. Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ takes aim at Wilson's Law and makes a sharp case for why knowledge alone is not enough. If the f...

Kidlin's Law is one that apartment maintenance teams struggle with. Clearly defined and documented processes require time beyond the FF&B reactions that we are all too often used to. This week, Paul provides examples of how applying this law can save time, energy and damage in the future. In this episode, we explore Kidlin's Law and its practical application in maintenance, emphasizing...

How much time is spent in research and knowledge gain? No matter how much we read and learn about something, it's still an inadequate task, due, in part, to Gilbert's Law. This episode of Maintenance Mindset, Paul applies that fact to brazing specifically and all other activities that we do when "on the job." This episode explores Gilbert's Law, emphasizing the importance of...

Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ honors his dad with a lesson every maintenance tech needs to hear: Murphy’s Law is not a joke when electricity is involved. A quick shortcut to "just test it with a dummy stick" can be the difference between a safe repair and a fatal mistake. The tools that we use have a specific purpose and while they may work for a different...

Friction can be good or bad depending on the application. In a car, friction between the tires and the road is required for progress; in the engine, friction is bad and may be catastrophic. In this episode, Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ welcomes Ronald Harrington https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldharrington/ from the Rooms with Ronald podcast, where the discussion e...

Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ shares a quick tip for multifamily maintenance professionals regarding the future of water heaters: what to look for and when. Stay tuned for more! 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.mul...

Because the need is still great, Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ continues the theme of Help Needed with a Part 2, providing specific examples, strategies and ideas which can be used to solve hiring challenges. Paul discusses the nuances of hiring maintenance technicians in the multifamily industry, emphasizing the importance of person-to-person communication, effecti...

When looking at tile, whether in the bathroom or the pool's waterline tile, just because it looks good doesn't mean a problem isn't growing. Paul demonstrates how to identify future problems in this episode of Maintenance Mindset Minute. In this episode, Paul Rhodes explains: Why tile damage often begins behind the surface, not where you can see it How failing grout lines let water int...

When speaking at this year's Apartmentalize, a common complaint voiced by the audience was finding maintenance team members. With service team turnover rates reportedly approaching 50% year over year in some communities, is it possible that our interview and hiring process is getting in the way? Let's answer that question with a Maintenance Mindset. In this episode, Paul Rhodes https://www...

The question: Why is it hard to get on-site teams, particularly maintenance personnel, to accept change? Paul uses an angle stop as an analogy to provide a thoughtful answer. This episode includes visual examples. In this episode, Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ explores the challenges and opportunities of implementing change in maintenance operations, emphasizing the...

A technician's tool bag or box is FULL of important gadgets, gizmos, grippers, and implements to aid in the repair of equipment. . In this quick episode, Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ reminds technicians of the critical safety measures that should take when working with mildly flammable refrigerants like R32 and R454B and underlines the importance of preparednes...

A recent plane flight led Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ to the question: "Is courtesy gone?" If the answer is "Yes," we're in trouble. If the answer is "No," then let's ensure that we agree on what courtesy looks like from a Maintenance Mindset. In this episode, Paul shares insights on courtesy, respect, and professionalism in m...

Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ explains the link between quality equipment and skilled technicians and the critical role of preventive maintenance and common pitfalls. In this episode: - The relationship between good equipment and technician expertise - How entropy impacts technician job security and equipment lifespan - Manufacturer insights on preventative maintena...

Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ explores the importance of a maintenance mindset in Part 2 of the components of a maintenance mindset, emphasizing how short-term actions with a long-term focus can prevent failures and sustain property value. He discusses practical strategies for maintenance planning, balancing immediate tasks with long-term goals, and fostering a proa...

In just 2minutes and 30 seconds, Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ explains the requirements in changing an older refrigerant system to the new A2L refrigerant. He shares the importance in this because older models, including R410A, R438, and older, are decreasing in availability. He provides training on the difference in replacing the new system vs the old systems in a...

In a celebratory 100th episode of Maintenance Mindset, Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ explores the essential components of a maintenance mindset, emphasizing the importance of preparation, communication, and proactive thinking to prevent breakdowns and ensure safety in maintenance tasks. In this episode: - Components of a maintenance mindset - The importance of prepa...

Paul Rhodes https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rhodes-b855572b/ shares some quick but useful advice for how to handle old, used refrigerant. 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our lib...

Which is a higher priority for your community? an Inspection, or a Work order. It's possible that by prioritizing the incorrect one, we are incentivizing the wrong thing. Here's some thoughts and ideas for a path forward. In this conversation, Paul Rhodes discusses the challenges faced by maintenance technicians in managing multiple mobile apps and the debate between the importance of insp...

A Maintenance Mindset looks for inspiration from what can sometimes be unconventional sources. This time, Paul reviews lessons gleaned from watching "The Repair Shop". A show from BBC which is now a channel on Youtube. If we look for ideas and solutions in unconventional places, we just might come away with different ways of approaching repairs. 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNet...

In this conversation, Paul Rhodes speaks with Matt Baird, the CTO of AppFolio, about the integration of technology in property management, the importance of user experience, and the role of AI in maintenance. They discuss the future of property management with RealmX, focusing on proactive maintenance and the human element in technology. Matt emphasizes the need for grit and hard work in overcomin...

Paul throws up the "crisis" flag on the increasing number of vacant positions found on Multifamily Maintenance teams. Data points such as 41% of construction workers retiring in 5 yeas and "for every 5 skilled tradespersons retiring, 2 take their place" are concerning to the point of crisis when we look at demand projections based upon population growth. In this episode, Paul o...

In this episode of the Maintenance Mindset Minute, Paul Rhodes emphasizes the importance of effective time management for maintenance teams in apartment communities. He outlines a structured approach to preparing for the upcoming week by dedicating the last 30 minutes of each workday to gather necessary information and organize tasks. This method not only enhances productivity but also ensures tha...

Paul Rhodes expands the time management concept discussed in the 1/3/2026 episode of Maintenance Mindset. The idea is to set aside time the last 30 minutes of each day to plan for the next.

Paul Rhodes expands the time management concept discussed in the 1/3/2026 episode of Maintenance Mindset. The idea is to set aside time the last 30 minutes of each day to plan for the next.