Common Maintenance Quick Fixes
Please browse our Quick Fixes for the most commonly reported maintenance issues. You may find an easy fix for your issue with no waiting for a maintenance person to visit.
No Hot Water
Make sure gas service is on. Check thermostat on hot water tank. Is pilot light lit? Check breaker panel or fuses.
Hot Water “TOO HOT”
Check thermostat on tank and turn down.
Toilet Clogged
Try plunger. If still clogged call maintenance. Note: if tenant caused clog then you will be accountable for bill.
Sink, Tub, or Shower Clogged
Remove hair from drain. Try pouring drain cleaner down the drain.
Heater Not Working
Make sure Gas service is on with utility provider. Check thermostat. Try changing batteries in thermostat. Replace filters. Furnace covers on correctly? Is pilot light lit? Breaker tripped?
Dishwasher Won’t Drain
Clean food out of bottom of dishwasher. Clean float. Rinse dishes before washing. Use jet dry once a month. Jet dry prevents hard water build up.
Refrigerator Too Warm or Too Cold
Check thermostat, set correctly. Front and Back grills clean. Clean out drain hole.
Gas Fireplaces
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
Mold Solutions
Mold can grow most 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: www.treatitlikedirt.com
10 Things to Never Flush Down the Toilet!
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
How to Shut Off Water to your Toilet in an Emergency
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
How to Shut Off Water Supply to a Sink Faucet
Turn off water from faucet if possible
Locate water lines below sink which lead to water valves
Turn water valves to the RIGHT (clockwise) to stop the water flow
How Fix Your Air Conditioner - Troubleshooting Tips
Check the Filter! Change often (at least every three months) 95% of all service calls are due to dirty air filters
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?
Fixing a Garbage Disposal That Has Stopped Working
Make sure the power is OFF. Safety First!
Insert the special wrench into the bottom of the disposal and start turning it back and forth until the jam frees up.
Make sure there is nothing stuck in the disposal causing a jam.
Press reset button (also located on the bottom of the disposal).
Turn Power back ON.
How to Change an Air Conditioner Filter
Locate the air-intake grill that holds the filter.
Open grill, remove old filter.
Replace with new one - IMPORTANT: air flow arrow on filter to point in the direction air is traveling (being "sucked" to).
Check filter monthly. A good habit is to check the filter each month when making your rent payment.
A clean filter will ensure your A/C is running smoothly and keep electric costs to a minimum.
NEVER Pour Grease Down the Drain
Collect liquid grease to be recycled
Wipe pans clean with a paper towel
Rinse pans with cold water
Food scraps go in garbage, NOT the garbage disposal
How to Stop an Overflowing Toilet
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)
Circuit Breakers & GFI Outlets - Checking and Resetting
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 reset button on them to power back on (usually 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.
How to Change the Water Filter in Your Refrigerator
Slow water flow from your fridge? Try changing the water filter
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
Why is your Gas Range "Clicking" and won't start?
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
How to Check Your Toilet for a Silent Leak
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
How to Get Your Key Unstuck from a Deadbolt
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
How to Stop the "Chirp" on a Smoke Detector
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 Marchant immediately
How to Troubleshoot Low Water Pressure
While low water pressure can be annoying, it is often easily remedied
How to Prevent Condensation/Sweating on Windows
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
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Middlefield, CT 06455
860.956.6825
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