CAN I FIX IT?
Sometimes the quickest and easiest way to get something fixed is just to change a bad habit. No handyman can help.
Sometimes you need to submit a maintenance request form. Sometimes it's an emergency and you need to call right away.
The information below is to help you fix the problem quickly and permanently, whether that involves getting outside help or not.
Even if you need to call for help, you will need to check whether the problem is caused by something you are expected to maintain.
After all, you don't want to have to pay a handyman for your mistake.
Sometimes the quickest and easiest way to get something fixed is just to change a bad habit. No handyman can help.
Sometimes you need to submit a maintenance request form. Sometimes it's an emergency and you need to call right away.
The information below is to help you fix the problem quickly and permanently, whether that involves getting outside help or not.
Even if you need to call for help, you will need to check whether the problem is caused by something you are expected to maintain.
After all, you don't want to have to pay a handyman for your mistake.
Clogged Drains
Few everyday household inconveniences are as frustrating as a clogged drain.
Drain clogs are the tenants' responsibility since they result from the tenants' actions. Many units experience no clogs in three years. New tenants move in and there are complaints of clogs every month. Why does this happen? In the kitchen sink, the problem is caused by grease, coffee grounds, or debris not caught in the drain basket. In the bathroom, the usual problem is hair, or something small dropped inadvertently. You should be able to sort it out yourself. The first thing that you can try in the kitchen is pouring some boiling water down there. In the bathroom, it is necessary to fish out the obstruction. Use a wire with a hook on the end or needlenose pliers. Do NOT use Draino or similar approaches since harsh chemicals damage the pipes. To prevent future problems, try brushing your hair before your shower, and use a protector in the drain. Throw hair from your brush into the trash, not into the sink, tub, or toilet. Never, never, never treat drains like garbage cans! Out of sight, but sadly not out of your life. |
Toilet Plugs and Running Toilets
What is more embarrassing than a toilet plug?
If you have had trouble in the past, try using less toilet paper, folding not balling toilet paper, and flushing the waste first and then the toilet paper. However, almost always, plugs can be avoided if you do not use toilets as garbage cans, and you are careful not to drop ANYTHING in the bowl. A hair clip, dental floss, pads, tampon applicators, kleenix, or clumps of hair can all lead to disgusting overflows. Discarded item may disappear from the bowl but they lodge in the drainage pipe and catch feces and toilet paper, thereby creating a clog. If water overflows, sop it up before trying the plunger repeatedly. Get help if the clog will not be dislodged. |
FINALLY treat running toilets (or dripping taps) as an EMERGENCY
and submit a Maintenance Request Form immediately. A leaking toilets can consume 25,000 litres--or $100--a day! We are happy to repair as soon as we can get our handyman there! |
No Hot Water
CALL FOR HELP immediately. If you live at 180 Regina, please go check out the utility room to see if the hot water heater is leaking. Water should drain UNLESS you have blocked the drain with your possessions. In this case, you would be liable for flood damages.
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What's Wrong with Our Water?
Monitor your water to make sure that the water softener is doing its job... cleaning your dishes in the dishwasher and making it easy to get suds when shampooing. Check the salt level if you are suspicious and submit a Maintenance Request Form so we can deliver more salt whenever it's needed.
Sometimes the water turns brown in Waterloo. Here's what to do. |
Getting the Dishes Sparkling Clean
Most often the dishes do not come out clean because:
And that yucky smell? Run the dishwasher more often and clean out the trap. Here's how to get rid of any lingering odours. |
Keep Cookin'
Two things to keep in mind. Regular cleaning keeps things from getting surfaces permanently damaged:
SMOOTHTOP RANGES
SELF-CLEANING OVENS
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Preventing Problems with Your Washer
Sometimes poor washing habits create poor results:
- put small items in washing machine bags (socks, underwear) and check the pockets in order to prevent objects from blocking the drain
- check how much detergent is required and avoid putting in too much which can damage the machine and leave residue on your clothes [warm, soft water requires less soap)
- use only the type of detergent (High-Efficiency [HE] Laundry Detergent), fabric softener and bleach recommended in the manual
- do not jam clothes in the washer thus overloading it
- make sure you empty your pockets since hard items can get into the drains, thereby blocking them causing a repair for which you will have to pay
- clean the washer by running a hot cycle with two cups of white vinegar and then re-running it through another hot cycle to rinse
- leave the door open and/or dry the rubber ring to prevent odours (and here's how to get rid of it)
- use hot water at least occasionally
- if you have a laundry tub, do not leave items inside the laundry tub, or hang them on the taps or the sides of the laundry tub where they can easily fall in, because they may block the drain and cause a flood for which you are liable
Drying Your Clothes Safely and Quickly
Here are some good habits to help keep your dryer working at its best:
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All Things Electric
If the lights go out, check if the neighbourhood has a power outage. You can get an app to check outages.
For more information, check the Waterloo North Hydro website. Whenever a power failure happens for any reason, check that the light of fire alarm system is still on to show that the system is working. If an appliance stops working, check that the plug is in securely. Test an outlet by plugging in a dfferent appliance which you already know is working. If you notice several outlets or lights in one area are not working, check the circuit breaker. It is accessed in Bedroom One at 180 Regina so please keep the panel easily accessible. In 58 Regina and 24 Young, residents must contact us. Figure out how you overloaded the circuit so it won't happen again. If you see black marks around an outlet or witness sparking, unplug the cord and submit a Maintenance Request Form immediately. This could cause a fire! Replacing lightbulbs is the responsibility of tenants according to your lease. Nevertheless, we are happy to provide replacement lightbulbs. You may also ask our handyman to change a bulb IF HE IS ALREADY IN YOUR HOME ON OTHER BUSINESS. We will not pay for a special service call to change a lightbulb. |
Baby, It's Cold Inside
AS SOON AS YOU BEGIN TO FEEL CHILLY, check the thermostat and the temperature of the air blowing from the vents or feel the radiator.
In 180 Regina, make sure that the furnace switch is in the "on position".
If the entire place seems to be losing heat, call immediately. This is an emergency. We don't want the pipes to freeze . . . or you! Getting a service technician can take time, especially during a cold snap when everyone's furnace tends to break down. We want to be "first in line". Your home will continue to cool until it's uncomfortable. Furnaces don't fix themselves.
If one room is too cool or too hot, submit a Maintenance Request Form so we can rebalance the heat within your home.
And keep the fan indicator on the thermostat in the Auto Position.
In 180 Regina, make sure that the furnace switch is in the "on position".
If the entire place seems to be losing heat, call immediately. This is an emergency. We don't want the pipes to freeze . . . or you! Getting a service technician can take time, especially during a cold snap when everyone's furnace tends to break down. We want to be "first in line". Your home will continue to cool until it's uncomfortable. Furnaces don't fix themselves.
If one room is too cool or too hot, submit a Maintenance Request Form so we can rebalance the heat within your home.
And keep the fan indicator on the thermostat in the Auto Position.
The Windows Are Dripping
Condensation on the windows can damage the trim.
Worse, the excess moisture that it indicates can lead to the growth of mould. In older homes like 58 Regina and 24 Young, this is seldom a problem and only happens if too many clothes are being hung to dry in an area or if there is a flood. In sealed buildings like 180 Regina, an air exchanger is installed. Make sure it is turned on during the heating season when the furnace is running. Turn it up to the maximum if it still is not doing its job. |
Keys and Locks
If you put too much force on a key when unlocking a door, it will bend
or--worse--break inside the lock, rendering the lock useless! Therefore, if you are having trouble, gently jiggle the key side to side and up and down until it finds the right place to do its job. Holding the door handle firmly in place with the other hand helps. Don't worry, you will soon get the "feel for it". NEVER use the key to turn the door handle. The key will eventually break. Turn the door handle with your other hand. If the key breaks or goes missing, it's an emergency and call us at 519-886-1414. We do our best to help you quickly but there will be a $25 service charge every time we must come to unlock the door. You will not lose your entire key deposit unless ithe key is unavailable when you are checking out. |
Open the Windows and Close the Doors
BEFORE you use the crank in a casement window, unlock it.
If you continue turning the crank, despite the resistance, you will "strip the threads" and the crank must be replaced. That costs you $100! Unreported malfunctioning cranks are discovered in an inspection prior to moving out so you will be charged. So if you break it, submit a Maintenance Request Form And--when you close the window--lock it or it will not seal and it will be drafty. Worse, it could warp which is a major expense to remedy. And, speaking of drafts, when exiting the building, make sure you close the door completely behind you. This provides not only security but also prevents drafts! |