Maintenance 101

Question 1

Dishwasher Won’t Turn On

Answer

Flip the wall switch near the sink
Check to ensure that the lock is engaged
Check timer setting to ensure it is aligned properly

Question 2

Dishwasher Won’t Drain

Answer

Clean food out of the bottom of the dishwasher. Clean float. Rinse dishes before washing. Use jet dry once a month. Jet dry prevents hard water build-up.

Question 3

Garbage Disposal Not Operating

Answer

Make sure the power is OFF. Safety First!
Check for blockage in the sink around the blades. Before putting your hands or utensil down the sink, make sure the unit is turned off. Never put these items down the disposal: chicken bones, onion peels, potato skins, rice, and corn husk!
Is the garbage disposal making a humming sound? Run your hand along the bottom of the unit for a small button. Once you find the button, press it to reset the disposal Press the reset button (also located on the bottom of the disposal)
Is the garbage disposal humming and not turning. Look for the disposal wrench attached to the disposal use it to turn the bottom of the disposal counterclockwise. Then press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal
Grind lemon peels and ice to help prevent odors
Reset the safety switch underneath the bottom of the disposal unit in the sink cabinet. Turn power back ON.

Question 4

Toilet Runs Constantly

Answer

Check for kink or disconnect of lift chain from the handle lever which is preventing the flap to seat properly

If unable to stop the toilet run – turn off the water to the toilet using the knob behind the toilet until maintenance is able to access the problem. This will prevent high water bills

Question 5

Water Puddling Around the Toilet

Answer

Submit a maintenance request through the tenant portal

Question 6

Sink/Toilet clogs

Answer

Use appropriate liquid drain cleaner from the local market.
Use ball or flange plunger
Make sure hair and grease are not disposed of in the toilet or sink
Use a plunger with short, quick motions. You may need rubber gloves; it can get messy!
For the sink, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, pour in ½ cup baking soda. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then pour a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup hot water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Flush one more time with a pot of boiling water.
For clogged bathtub and shower drains-pour boiling water down the drain to unclog hair and soap build-up.

Note: If the tenant caused clog then you will be accountable for the bill.

Sink, Tub, or Shower Clogged – Remove hair from the drain. Try pouring drain cleaner down the drain.

If you have a sink or tub clogged with pet hair or other gunk, it’s a good idea to avoid caustic chemicals and drain cleaners as much as possible. We recommend pouring half a cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water.

If you have a really tough clog, you can follow the baking soda with a half-cup of vinegar. Close or cover the drain tightly while the soda-vinegar mixture is bubbling up and breaking up the clog. Once the fizzing stops, flush the drain with a gallon of boiling water.

Question 7

10 Things to Never Flush down the Toilet!

Answer

Floss – not bio-degradable
Grease, Oil & Fat – like heart disease, these will decrease the flow of pipes over time
Band-aids – these are plastic and not bio-degradable
Medications – contaminates the water supply
Disposable Wipes – EVEN if they say you can, Don’t!
Paper Towels – these do not break down like toilet paper
Feminine Hygiene Products – including cotton pads and swabs
Cat Litter
Condoms
Hair

Question 8

AC Not Cooling

Answer

If the air filter has not been changed in 30 days, change it. Remember per your lease the filter must be changed a minimum of every 60 days. 95% of all service calls are due to dirty air filters
If the digital thermostat is not working check/change the battery
If you notice ice on the coils at the unit, turn off AC and submit a maintenance request
Check thermostat setting – set Fan to “auto”, set system to “Cool”
Check air handler/furnace – you should hear it “rumbling”, if not, check to make sure it is plugged in and switched on
Check circuit breaker – make sure it is not ‘tripped’
Check to be sure the drain line is not clogged
Check the fan unit outside – is the fan spinning and clear of leaves and branches?

Question 9

How to Change an AC Filter

Answer

Locate the air-intake grill that holds the filter.
Open grill, remove the old filter.
Replace with a new one – IMPORTANT: airflow arrow on the filter to point in the direction air is traveling (being “sucked” to).
A clean filter will ensure your A/C is running smoothly and keep electric costs to a minimum.
More on air filters here: link to an air filter page

Question 10

No Heat/Hot Water

Answer

Check to see if the hot water tank is leaking
Check fuse box for tripped breaker switch
If it’s a gas water heater, check to see if the pilot light is out, if you can’t turn it on, call your gas provider for instructions.

Question 11

Appearance of Mold

Answer

If problem persists, after following suggestions submit a maintenance request

Mold can grow almost anywhere that spores land and find moisture and a comfortable temperature
Mold is typically found indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals
Almost every home gets some type of mold – the trick is to clean it up before it spreads
The most visible type is mildew, which begins as tiny black spots. This is the stuff you see in grout lines in your shower, on damp window casings, etc.
Check out this terrific site for more information on mold and how to clean it up: https://www.treatitlikedirt.com/how-to-clean/

Question 12

Power Circuit Breakers & GFI Outlets - Checking & Resetting

Answer

Some outlets are known as GFIs located near wet areas of your home (i.e. kitchen and bathrooms)
When power becomes overloaded they will ‘trip’ (stop working).
Press the reset button on them to power back on (usually a small button in the center of the outlet plate)
Still not working? Check other GFI outlets in the home and reset. If that does not work, find the breaker panel and check for flipped switches. Flip back to “On” to restore power.
Check appliances. Unplug all of them in the unit. Reset breaker, plug in one appliance at a time to find the faulty appliance.
Contact your power company to inquire if there are power outages in your neighborhood.

Question 13

Washing Machine Not Working Properly or At All

Answer

Check whether the washing machine taps are turned on at the wall.
Check if the appliance at the wall is turned on.
Check if the lid is closing properly.
Check if the settings knob is pointed directly on the desired settings.
If the machine has stopped halfway through the cycle you may have overloaded the machine and caused it to be out of balance. Try redistributing the wash evenly in the drum.
Don’t overload the machine.
ONLY use laundry detergent NEVER use dishwashing detergent.

Question 14

Dryer Not Working

Answer

The dryer can automatically shut down due to overload of lint in the filter Check whether the filter needs to be cleaned out. Remember to always clean the filter out. *Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of dryer fires. 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and caused deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in property loss*

Question 15

Hot Water is “TOO HOT”

Answer

Check the thermostat on the tank and turn down.

Question 16

No Hot Water

Answer

Make sure the gas service is on. Check the thermostat on the hot water tank. Is pilot light lit?

Check breaker panel or fuses.

Question 17

Heater Not Working

Answer

Make sure Gas service is on with the utility provider. Check thermostat. Try changing batteries in the thermostat. Replace filters. Furnace covers on correctly? Is pilot light lit? Did breaker trip?

Question 18

Gas Fireplaces

Answer

Make sure the emergency gas valve is turned on
Check to be sure pilot light is lit
If you are not able to get the pilot light lit, contact Marchant and we will have an experienced vendor assist you

Question 19

How to Shut off Water to your Toilet in an Emergency

Answer

Look for the valve which is located to the LEFT behind your toilet tank
Turn the knob to the RIGHT (clockwise) to close the valve and stop water flow

Question 20

How to Shut off Water Supply to a Sink Faucet

Answer

Turn off water from the faucet if possible
Locate water lines below the sink which lead to water valves
Turn water valves to the RIGHT (clockwise) to stop the water flow

Question 21

NEVER Pour Grease Down the Drain

Answer

Collect liquid grease to be recycled
Wipe pans clean with a paper towel
Rinse pans with cold water
Food scraps go in the garbage, NOT the garbage disposal

Question 22

How to Stop an Overflowing Toilet

Answer

Remove toilet tank lid
Lift up the fill valve (or float ball)
Pull out the water tube
Reach down and turn OFF the water valve (turn valve CLOCKWISE)

Question 23

How to Change the Water Filter in your Refrigerator

Answer

Slow water flow from your fridge? Try changing the water filter
The filter should be changed every 6 months
Each fridge will have its own unique filter system – you can find details for each in the manual or by searching online
Locate the filter, twist to the left to remove, twist right to install
Some may have a push-button system
Reset the filter button to reflect a new filter has been installed

Question 24

Refrigerator not staying Cool or Freezing

Answer

Check the thermostat to make sure it hasn’t been turned way down by mistake.
Be sure the vents on the back of the freezer compartment aren’t blocked by boxes of ice cream or frozen food packages-the vents have to be clear for cold air to circulate.
Vacuum the coils under or behind the fridge. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling
Clean the seals around the refrigerator doors to keep cool air from escaping

Question 25

Why is the Gas Range “clicking” and won’t start?

Answer

Wet burners are usually why a gas stove top will not light

When cleaning, avoid using too much water that will make the burners wet

Try to clean using a damp cloth only

To dry out, turn oven on to 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Question 26

How to Check Your Toilet for a Silent Leak

Answer

Check for sounds of running water, trickling or hissing sounds
Add 25 drops of food coloring to inside of toilet tank
Wait 15 minutes…if no dye shows up in toilet bowl, no leak exists
If dye appears in bowl, toilet needs repair. Please log a maintenance request through your tenant portal

Question 27

How to Get your Key Unstuck from a Deadbolt

Answer

First, realign key so it is in a vertical position (12 o’clock)
Apply light pressure to smaller disc around the key (called a plug)
Pull and remove the key from the lock

Question 28

How to Stop the “Chirp” in the Smoke Detector

Answer

Disconnect the smoke detector by twisting counter-clockwise
Replace the battery with a new one (this will most likely stop the chirping)
If it is still chirping, remove the battery and hold down the test button for 15 seconds to drain any remaining charge
Insert the new battery and reattach to the wall/ceiling

If this doesn’t fix the problem, please contact SCUDO immediately. Do Not Remove Detector. It is required by law.

Question 29

How to Troubleshoot Low Water Pressure

Answer

While low water pressure can be annoying, it is often easily remedied

Click here to view a guide on ways to troubleshoot this issue

Question 30

How to Prevent Condensation/Sweating on Windows

Answer

Condensation is caused by high humidity in your home

Run vent fans in bathrooms when showering to prevent condensation

Turn off vent fans in the kitchen when cooking

In extreme situations you may need to install a dehumidifier in your home

Question 31

Potential Charges to Tenants

Answer

The cost for any maintenance repairs that are deemed to have been caused by your actions or negligence.
Missed scheduled appointment
Office key copy to the property does not work

Question 32

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to unclog a dryer vent

Answer

If you have an electric dryer, unplug the machine, or if it’s a gas dryer, simply turn the supply valve off.
Pull the dryer away from the wall about a foot or so.
Disconnect the duct from the back of the dryer.
Vacuum out the vent with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac.
Vacuum out the duct or use a dryer duct-cleaning brush.
Now locate the vent on the exterior of the property and remove the cover.
Vacuum the exterior vent.
Once you’ve concluded that all lint and debris has been removed from the vents, that no damage has occurred and all safety codes have been followed, go ahead and put it all back together.
Reattach the vent cover outside.
Reattach the duct to the back of the dryer.
Plugin (if electric) or twist the valve open (if gas).
Push the appliance back toward the wall.
It’s a good idea to test that everything is secured properly and functioning appropriately while you’re still on-site, so a best practice would be to test the tumble air-dry function for a few minutes before you jet.

There you have it! By keeping the area around the dryer clean and regularly cleaning the dryer screen before every use, not only will your residents’ clothes look better and dry faster, but they will also be helping you protect your home.