Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance Checklist

For a PDF copy of this checklist, please click here.

Air Conditioning and Heating Unit Filters:

  • Filters: Please change or clean air filter every month and never operate the unit without an air filter installed. This will help prevent dust accumulation on the evaporator coils and will maximize the efficiency of the unit, resulting in reduced service calls and cost savings. If your unit is equipped with a permanent filter, please vacuum dirt and dust from the filter in lieu of replacing it. While any of the filter types are satisfactory, you may select standard fiberglass (least expensive), polyester pleated, or HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) filters to remove even the smallest dust particles. Please be aware that some pleated filters could reduce air flow in your unit.
  • Exterior Condenser Unit: Please keep the compressor unit, located outside of the home, free of leaves and debris. If necessary, the exterior coils may be rinsed with a garden hose from time to time to help prevent failure from overheating.

Dishwasher:

  • Detergents: Please use dishwasher detergents only in the machine.
  • Before Loading the Dishwasher: Rinse all large food particles from dishes before placing these in the machine to prevent the dishwasher drain filter from clogging. Remove any broken glass or other solids from the bottom of the dishwasher prior to operation.

Oven-Range:

  • Ceramic Cooktops: Caution – do not use abrasive cleaners on ceramic cooktops. Special cleansers such as “Bon-Ami” or “Soft-Scrub” products are required to prevent damage to the ceramic surface.
  • Other Cooktops: Please clean drip pans regularly. Do not operate the stove without drip pans.
  • Self-cleaning ovens: Always follow the oven cleaning instructions carefully.
  • Continuous Cleaning Ovens: Please follow the instructions for cleaning. The surface can be damaged if abrasive cleaners, some commercial oven cleaners, or metal utensils or steel-wool based pads are used to scrape or clean the oven surface.
  • All ovens: Please clean regularly, as accumulations of spilled food or grease can cause permanent damage to the surface and increase the risk of fire.

Ventilated Oven/Range Hoods:

  • Many models have a removable filter that can be cleaned with hot water. Some all-metal types can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. Frequent cleaning of the filter can help reduce the risk of a grease fire and improve exhaust ventilation.

Refrigerator:

  • Cleaning Coil Fan Intake Area: Vacuum/clean dust from the intake area located at the base of the refrigerator quarterly. This effort will save power and help prevent compressor failure due to overheating.
  • Temperature Settings: Keep temperature settings within the recommended range for your unit.
  • Ice Maker: Please do not disconnect or turn off the icemaker; many refrigerator models will not operate properly and this could disable the automatic defrost cycle unless the icemaker is operating.
  • Interior Cleaning: Clean refrigerator interior with two tablespoons baking soda in I quart of water. A mild soap or detergent may be added if necessary.

Garbage Disposal:

  • Proper Operation: Always run cold water while the disposal is in operation.
  • Clogged Line: DO NOT place potato peels, bones, shrimp peels, watermelon seeds, celery, nuts, carrots, egg shells, meat chunks, grease and/or similar types of refuse in the disposal. These items could become trapped under the blades, causing the unit to fail, or may clog the drain line.
  • Danger! DO NOT USE DRAIN CLEANERS IN THE DISPOSAL!
  • Blade Damage: Be certain that utensils, steel wool pads or other objects are not in the sink while operating the disposal.
  • Locate and know how to use the reset button and hex key when the disposal is jammed with a solid particle. This is usually underneath the disposal per the illustration.

Fiberglass Tubs and Showers:

  • Cleaning: Please do not use abrasive cleaners such as Comet or Ajax cleanser on these units. Specially developed cleaners are available for fiberglass products. Most other cleansers will cause permanent damage to the fixture.

Drains and Plumbing:

  • Please DO NOT POUR GREASE or other non-soluble liquids into drains.
  • Bathroom Drain Cleaning: Bathroom pop-up drains can easily be cleaned of soap and hair regularly by removing the drain apparatus. A video on how to accomplish this can be found on YouTube. Most other drains can be cleared with retail drain cleaners available from the grocery store. Please follow instructions carefully.
  • Commodes: Please be careful to prevent flushing items down the commode which can cause the drain line to clog. When commode is stopped up, first use a plunger to try to clear the line. If you’re not successful, please call our office to request plumbing service. If the stoppage is caused by Tenant or guests, the cost of the repair bill will be chargeable to the Tenant. When the commode flapper fails causing commode to run continuously, it is important to address this quickly to avoid a large water bill. A flapper kit is sold at most hardware stores and cost $3-$10.00, less than the typical $50 tenant minor maintenance cost referred to in your Lease Agreement. If assistance is needed, please call for the names of properly licensed and insured repair persons.
  • When you first move into your residence, locate the water meter and know how to turn it off in a plumbing emergency. If you’re unable to locate it, ask the water department which services your location.

Lawn and Plantings:

  • Lawn insect or fungus problems: If the terms of your lease do not require that you subscribe to a lawn service, please help protect the homeowner’s investment by calling to our attention any severe problems.
  • Proper Lawn Care: Lawns should be cared for in accordance with the Lease Agreement: (a) watered to prevent loss; (b) grass should be cut regularly during the growing season and fertilized in spring; (c) accumulations of leaves or pine straw removed from lawn and gutters.

Well Pumps for Irrigation Systems:

  • Some homes have a pump and well for watering the yard. Please be sure that the pump is not permitted to cycle on and off due to slow-running faucets or a damaged holding tank or regulator, as this can damage or destroy the motor or increase electricity costs.
  • Winterization: Before a hard freeze, drain the pump by turning off the power at the breaker and opening all faucets. Then, remove the plug to drain the water inside the pump housing. Water left inside the housing could freeze and crack the pump.

In-ground & Above Ground Swimming Pools

  • Care and Maintenance: The care and maintenance of pools is the tenant’s responsibility, and in some instances is aided by a pool service. The pool should be maintained in a chemically balanced and clean condition. Hard freeze directions above for well pump also apply to pool pump.

Electrical

  • If you lose power only to certain areas in house, air conditioner or major appliance there are three circuit breaker types to check and see if they have been tripped. (#1) The exterior breaker panel usually located outside near the power meter typically has 4-6 large breakers 40-60 amps each. (#2) The interior circuit breaker panel which often has specific rooms or appliance breakers marked. If kitchen, bath and laundry areas are affected, it could be a ground fault breaker in the interior power panel or (#3) an individual in-line GFI outlet which may feed other outlets in the home. If one is tripped, simply turn it off then on to reset it. If all power is lost in residence, call the power company to determine whether or not the power loss is widespread or isolated to your property.
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