Here are a few property management DIY property fixes from your property management experts.
How to Patch a Hole in the Wall
All you need is spackle and a putty knife. Fill the hole with spackle using the putty knife or your finger, smooth it over to create a smooth surface and blend it in.
How to Turn off the Water and Gas
If you are in an apartment you will not likely be able to do this yourself but if you are renting a house it is important to know where the water and gas shutoff valve are. Ask your property manager where these shutoff valves are when you rent to avoid problems.
How to Turn on the Electricity
Sometimes the electricity goes off because the system is overloaded. If that is the reason- turn off or unplugging all equipment on the circuit. Find the GFI electrical outlet in your kitchen or you’re in bathrooms. It’s a red or white rectangular button. Press it in so it clicks. Know where the circuit-breaker is located. Push the switch firmly to the off position, then back on. Most are labeled with the room they are attached to.
How to Remove Stains from the Carpet
For most spills don’t let it dry. Poor baking soda over the stain then use a rag to bolt it up. Avoid scrubbing. You can also try using 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap.
How to Unclog a Drain
If your toilet is clogged place the plunger over the hole at the bottom of your toilet making sure the rubber head is covered by water. Then, pump the handle and pull the plunger to break the seal. Repeat as necessary. The suction the plunger causes should unclog most toilets.
If it is your sink that is the problem, you might want to notify the property manager first. We don’t recommend DIY Property Fixes for sinks. Drain unclogging agents like Drano are often prohibited.
To avoid problems, recognize that most things cannot go down the drains. Be careful with hair in showers, food in sinks and cooking oil/grease down drains.
How to Change a Broken Fire Alarm
When that annoying beeping starts it can only mean one thing- your battery has is going bad and it’s time to replace it. Remove the alarm from the wall by twisting it then there should be a release on the actual alarm that will give you access to the battery. From here is relatively simple, just replace the old battery with new one and you are done.
How to Hang Something Heavy
You will first need to find the stud. The studs are the wood framing that makes up the walls. The studs are strong enough to withstand heavy items. Its important to use the studs when hanging something heavy to insure you don’t damage the drywall. You can buy a stud finder at any hardware store. Stud finders work with magnets to find the nails in the wood framing. One you find the stud simply drill or hammer your hanging items into place.
How to Change a Light Bulb
Some light bulbs don’t simply screw in. LED lights will require you to pinch the mental brackets to release. You cannot touch Halogen lights and will need to take care when handling them if you want a working light.
How to Clean a Dishwasher
Get rid of soap deposits and grime by running your dishwasher on rinse cycle with a cup of vinegar or Ajax dish detergent.
How to Remove Mold
Common in bathrooms, surface mold can be removed by scrubbing bleach over the area. Prevent mold by making sure the bathroom is ventilated and limiting moisture. You can do this by leaving on the fan and opening the door or window.
How to Put Out an Oil Fire
DON’T use water. The best way to put out an oil/grease fire is to stuff it out. If you can with hurting yourself first turn the heat off than cover the pot with a metal lid.
How to Fix a Garbage Disposal
Make sure the garbage disposal if off at the wall switch and unplug the disposal from the wall outlet beneath the sink.
Grab a wrench, there are garbage disposal wrenches, a 1/4-inch hex key will work as well. Insert the wrench into the center opening in the bottom of the disposal. Rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to release the jam.
Take a wooden broom or plunger handle and from the drain opening, use the end of the handle to rotate the grinding plate on the bottom of the disposal to release the jam.
Plug back in the garbage disposal and run water through the drain. Lastly, make sure everything is clear from the drain and test out your handy work by turning the disposal back on at the wall switch.
Do you have any more DIY Property Fixes we should include? Let us know.