Maintenance Troubleshooting Tips

Have a problem? The troubleshooting tips below will help you avoid incurring expenses for maintenance or repair issues that are defined as tenant responsibility under your tenancy agreement and our policies & procedures. Please utilize this troubleshooting checklist to assist you in rectifying the issue. For problems not resolved by our troubleshooting tips please complete and submit the Maintenance Request Form and we will assist with the problem as soon as possible.

If this is an emergency, please call us immediately at 866-854-5573

Furnace or Air Conditioning Issues

• If there is no air coming out of the vents, check condition of air filter & replace if needed. Standard size is (16x25x1)
• Make sure thermostat is set on AUTO not FAN
• If you have a light switch in your furnace closet, put it to the “on” position.
• If unit is frozen outside turn thermostat to “off” so unit defrosts.
• Do not set thermostat below 70 degrees
• If door is removed to access filter, it must be secured properly in order for unit to turn back on.
• Safety feature will not allow gas to get to pilot light unless its vent cover is securely attached. This may be indicated with a flashing light.
• Check condensation line/tube when water is around furnace area.
• Check breaker box to ensure breaker has not tripped.

Fireplace Issues

• Press the red igniter button several times to get gas through line before it will light.

Plumbing and Toilet Issues

• Toilets are designed to use less water per flush. Hold down the handle longer or flush second time to ensure proper vacating of toilet.
• If toilet is leaking turn off water at base.
• If toilet is stopped-up plunge first before calling office.
• Residents will be charged a maintenance fee if the cause is NOT a main line back up.
• If toilet will not flush remove lid on back of tank and ensure flapper chain is still connected to flush arm.

Garbage Disposal

• Check breaker box to ensure breaker has not been tripped.
• Disposal is usually jammed if it is buzzing when turned on, so check for debris.
• Remove debris then push reset button on bottom of disposal. You may need to insert the disposal wrench (located under the sink or can be bought at any local hardware store.
• Be sure disposal is plugged in to outlet.
• Be sure to use COLD water and run plenty of water when using disposal.
• To sharpen blades, put ice cubes in disposals and turn on without water.

Please see below for items that should not be put down the disposal:

• Rice and pasta- No matter how much water you run or how long you run the appliance, you can never break rice or pasta down small enough. Both items swell when they are in contact with water, so the small pieces will eventually gather in the trap and swell until it is closed.
• Animal bones- The garbage disposal is just not strong enough to break these down small enough to fit. Animal bones are the most common thing that jam disposals.
• Grease- Grease will eventually solidify and clog a portion or all of your drain.
• Egg shells- Despite what you may have heard, egg shells do not sharpen disposal blades.
• Any kind of stringy or tough-peeled vegetable- This includes asparagus, lettuce, celery and potato peels.

Electrical Outlets are Not Working

• Reset GFI by pushing button in middle of outlet (usually a red button)
• GFI units are usually in kitchen, bathroom & garage
• Check breaker box to be sure switch has not been tripped.

Dishwasher

• If dishwasher will not fill up with water and you have just moved in pour approximately ½ gallon of water in the basin inside the dishwasher and start again.
• If debris appears on dishes after wash cycle, clean filter at bottom.

Low Water Pressure

• If problem is only occurring with one faucet, unscrew the aerator at the faucet spout and clean out any small debris.

No Hot Water

• Check thermostat setting
• Gas Hot Water Heaters-Check to make sure pilot light is lit. Instructions for lighting the pilot are printed on the furnace.
• Electric Hot Water Heater-Check main breaker panel to make sure the 220V furnace breaker is not tripped off.

Leak in Ceiling

• Isolate when and where leak is coming from before calling for maintenance.
• If leak occurs when toilet is flushed, turn off water to toilet and call the office.
• If leak occurs when a bath is taken, then use shower until maintenance can fix leak.

Pest Control

• Move in boxes attract bugs, especially in storage areas. Secure belongings in Rubbermaid containers or other containers that are sealed.
• Roaches: Use bombs & wait 2 weeks for treatment to take effect.
• Ants: We suggest using Terro which can be purchased at your local hardware store
• Mice: use traps

Clogged Drains

• Pour ½ cup of vinegar + 1 teaspoon of baking soda down the drain.

Cleaning Tips

• To clean walls use Industrial 409 which can be found at Lowes