Consistent Maintenance

• Always look for and report water leaks:
• Near bathroom sinks, drain pipes, supply lines
• Bathtub or shower due to lack of caulking
• Near kitchen sink drain pipes, dishwasher connections, supply lines
• Toilet supply lines, cracked water tank, or not secure to floor
• Near dishwasher (bad seal)
• Beside the base of air conditioning/heating unit inside the house (if your AC has been running for 30 minutes and no water is coming out of condensate drain outside, the line is clogged)
• Water heater and connections

 

Tenant Responsibilities

• Hot water washing machine hoses usually go first
• Supply hose for refrigerator icemaker
• Correct wattage light bulbs for your fixtures
• All electrical appliances are protected such as, TVs and computers from power surges and lightning
• When the AC system is blowing hot air instead of cool air, attempt the following prior to reporting the problem. Check the outside of house to see if the condenser is running. If the condenser is not running than you should shut down the system, wait five (5) minutes, reset AC breaker (even if it does not appear to be in off position), and restart the system.

 

Once a Month

• Air conditioning/heating system filter should be replaced
• Replace the battery on the smoke detectors if needed
• Trip and reset your ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI

 

Semi Annually

• Clean kitchen exhaust hood and air filter, clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and area under dryer, outside gutters and downspouts

 

Cold Weather Tips (freezing temperatures)

• Water hoses should be disconnected from faucets
• Insulate exposed pipes
• Wrap exterior faucets with cloth or use foam cover available at building supply store
• Wrap exposed water heater pipes in garage or store room
• Run outside faucets (not full blast but more than just dripping)
• Circulate pool/hot tub pump to continuously
• Open cabinet doors under all sinks to let in the heat
• Locate the water supply cut off valve to the house. Usually located at the property line near the street under a tiny plate. To shut off the water, remove the plate and turn the valve all the way to the right. If your supply cut-off is like most cut-offs, it is probably covered with dirt. Now is the time to have this corrected.
• When water pipes should freeze you should turn off the water supply and leave the faucets open until the pipes thaw.
• If your pipes spring a leak then turn off the water supply immediately to prevent further damage. Then report the problem.
• If you plan on being out of town then have a friend or neighbor stop by to turn on the faucets during the freeze.