Cleaning bathroom hair clogged with orange gloves.
As a renter in Court Street Apartments in Athens, Ohio, you shouldn’t have to do much maintenance. After all, that’s one of the beauties of being a renter: Your landlord is responsible for most repairs—especially major problems. Property managers or landlords also are required to keep the structure of your building sound; keep safety systems, such as electrical, plumbing, and heating, properly functioning; and exterminate your space.
Landlords may also be responsible for minor repairs, like leaky faucets and peeling paint, and reputable property owners like the ones responsible for student housing at Ohio University will take care of small problems as they arise and as time allows. That said, there are certain maintenance issues that you might want repaired immediately. Also, there is a value in knowing how to do some maintenance projects and in making small repairs on your own. For minor repairs, you can have the problem resolved in about the same amount of time it takes to call the landlord. There’s no fuss and no wait, and by doing the repair yourself, you learn valuable skills.
Though you may be tempted, don’t make repairs that are beyond your abilities, knowledge, or skill set. You may cause damage and forfeit your security deposit. Also, if the repair requires electrical work or major expenses, you should call your landlord rather than trying to fix it yourself. Remember, you’re paying for maintenance and repairs when you pay your rent, so you shouldn’t hesitate to get your money’s worth when something breaks.
Here are a few repairs that any savvy renter should be able to tackle.
Clogged Drain
Even the most diligent neat freaks and the most cautious of people occasionally get clogged drains. One too many hairballs can have you standing in ankle-deep water during your shower, while peeling an entire bag of potatoes into the kitchen sink can result in standing water. Sure, you could call the landlord and make a repair request. As it’s not an emergency, however, you may find yourself waiting days for a repairman.
Fortunately, fixing a clogged drain is often a simple and painless repair that you can complete in about the same amount of time it takes to call the property manager. You can always run to the store and grab a chemical liquid designed to unclog your sink, but you can also use products most people have on hand: vinegar and baking soda.
Start by pouring boiling water down your drain. Then dump in ½ a cup of baking soda. You’ll want to let that sit for a few minutes before pouring a mixture of equal parts vinegar and hot water—1 cup of each should do—down the drain. Cover the drain, and now it’s a waiting game. Give it 15 minutes and then pour more boiling water down your drain.
Clogged Toilet
It’s a dirty job, but a simple one. Typically, a toilet plunger will do the trick. Simply stick the plunger into the bowl. Your first push will be to remove the air from the plunger. On your next push, the goal will be to create a seal, or a vacuum. While maintaining the seal, pump the plunger several times, and then pull it up quickly to break the air seal. If water begins rushing down the drain, your work is finished. If water isn’t rushing down the drain, then repeat the steps. That should loosen the plug and unclog your toilet.
If you’re looking for your own apartment to rent, consider Court Street Apartments. Contact Wharton Rentals today for more information.
