Friendly Reminders for Good Housekeeping

Let's Talk About Housekeeping

I hope you and your family are doing well and enjoying the last remnants of Summertime fun. This update is being sent to all our tenants to be sure we are all on the same page.

In order to keep your air conditioner running in top performance, you must replace the Air Filter every 30 Days Regardless of whether the brand says 30 Days, 90 Days or anything else. It Must be replaced or cleaned Every 30 Days. This is because the factor of time passing as the air is drawn thru the machine is what causes the need for replacing the filter. The best practice is to at least check the filter monthly to see how much build up of debris is on it. If it is minor, you can shake it off and use it one more month. But to go more than a month without at least checking it for unseen damage or build-up is where the danger lies. Otherwise, we may have the undesirable need to charge you for cleaning the evaporator coil. So please open your AC intake vent cover and replace the filter every 30 days. Please take a moment today to make a note of the size written on the edge of the filter and put a reminder on your calendar. If you don't know where it is or how to do it, call me for an appointment to come give you instructions.

The smoke alarms are another device to check periodically. The batteries should be checked or replaced every year.

In the winter time, the outside faucets should be covered to keep from freezing. The best time to do this is around November just before Thanksgiving. Unless there happens to be a freeze warning earlier than that.

When it comes to plumbing we normally take care of all the leaks, but we do expect your help in alerting us to any drips, stains or other evidence of water in the wrong place. And as for the drains, we look to you as a good tenant to make sure nothing is done to allow plug-ups or stoppages. It can be rather simple if you just follow the simple idea of prevention.

If you are using the shower normally, and don't allow any foreign objects to go down the drain, it should just be a matter of keeping large amounts of dirt, hair, soap, etc. from going down the drain. If you allow enough of that debris to go down the drain and plug it up, that is considered Tenant Misuse. In that case, you should clean it out yourself. I can't tell you how many times a plumber has shown me a large glob of hair and soap to be the simple reason for a stopped up the shower drain.

The best solution is prevention. Try using one of those little round metal screen filters that limit the amount of soap, hair and other objects from going down the drain. This should also be done in the kitchen sink. You can usually purchase a pack of an assortment of different sizes. Small ones for the bathroom and large for the kitchen.

If you do find the need for a Certified plumber to un-stop any drains, which will be your responsibility to pay for in this case, Call me first. You must allow me to make the arrangements so I can make sure the job gets done well and efficiently. But always give me your best times available so I can coordinate with the technician a convenient time to come. We require a pre-paid deposit from you in the amount of $275.00 to cover the remedy. As soon as I receive the payment, I will schedule the plumber to come as soon as possible. After that, we will expect payment in full within 10 days if the actual cost is greater.

And always be sure that the shower curtain closes all the way to keep water from splashing on the wall outside the shower and not to allow water to drip on the floor. A good way to keep it closed on the side you don't enter from is to use a Velcro or suction type attaching devices on the tile wall or simply use a strong clear water-resistant strapping tape. Always attach to the tile wall inside the shower, not on the wall outside the shower.

Please use caution concerning foreign objects going into the toilets. This means only toilet PAPER: Not Q-tips, Wipes, paper towels, coins, baby toys, hairpins, compact mirrors, bottle caps or anything else that anyone may unknowingly allow dropping in there. If we have a need to un-stop a toilet and find any foreign objects in there, we will require that you pay the bill.

And when it comes to Spring and Fall cleaning, be sure to wash all the windows, clean behind the toilets, dust the ceiling fans and light fixtures, steam clean the carpets, and sweep and mop under the stove, refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer. It is much easier to clean all these things periodically rather than wait until it is time to move.

In all of these matters, if you have any questions or need help figuring it out, call me at 979-255-5075.

Thanks for your time. An ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure.