Ten small problems you can usually solve yourself in a few minutes, no tools beyond a plunger and a screwdriver. When in doubt, stop and file a ticket instead.
Everything on this list is renter-safe: no wiring, no plumbing behind walls, no sealed equipment, nothing your lease would frown at. If a fix does not work on the first try, or the same problem keeps coming back, that is your cue to file a service request and let us handle it.
If outlets in the bathroom, kitchen, or garage go dead, look for an outlet with "Test" and "Reset" buttons and press Reset firmly. One GFCI often protects several nearby outlets, so check the whole run.
Stop and file a ticket if it will not reset or trips again right away.
At the breaker panel, find the switch sitting between On and Off, push it fully Off, then back to On. Unplug high-draw items like space heaters first.
Stop and file a ticket if the breaker trips repeatedly, feels hot, or you smell burning. Do not keep resetting it.
For sinks and tubs, a cup plunger and a few firm strokes clears most soft clogs. A cheap hand auger or plastic drain strip pulls out hair the plunger cannot. Skip chemical drain cleaners; they damage pipes and make the plumber's job dangerous.
Stop and file a ticket if more than one drain is slow at once. That points to a deeper blockage.
If the disposal hums or does nothing, switch it off, press the small red reset button on the bottom of the unit under the sink, and try again. If something is jammed inside, cut power at the switch before you reach in with tongs. Never use your hand.
Stop and file a ticket if it still hums after a reset or trips again under load.
A blank or flickering thermostat screen usually means dead batteries, not a dead furnace. Pop the faceplate off, swap in fresh AA or AAA batteries, and give the system a few minutes to come back.
Stop and file a ticket if the screen is on but the system will not heat or cool.
Take the tank lid off and check the rubber flapper at the bottom. If it is not seated, press it back down; if the chain is tangled or too tight, give it a little slack. A flapper that is warped or crumbling needs replacing, which is a five dollar part.
Stop and file a ticket if water is leaking onto the floor or the toilet keeps running after the flapper seats.
If dishes come out gritty or water pools in the bottom, twist out the cylindrical filter under the lower spray arm and rinse it under hot water. Most people have never done this; most dishwasher complaints end here.
Stop and file a ticket if the dishwasher will not drain at all or trips the power.
A single chirp every minute means a low battery. Twist the detector off its base, replace the 9V or AA battery, and press the test button to confirm. Never take a detector down and leave it down.
Stop and file a ticket if it chirps with a fresh battery or the unit is wired in and beeping. We will replace it.
Weak or spraying water from one faucet usually means a clogged aerator. Unscrew the tip of the faucet by hand or with tape-wrapped pliers, rinse out the grit, and soak the screen in vinegar if it is crusted with minerals.
Stop and file a ticket if water pressure is low at every fixture in the home.
Pull the lint screen and clean it before every load, and vacuum the slot it sits in once in a while. A clogged screen is the top reason clothes take two cycles to dry, and lint buildup is a fire risk.
Stop and file a ticket if the dryer runs hot or clothes stay damp with a clean screen. The vent line may need service.
Stop any time a fix involves gas, sewage, sparks, water you cannot shut off, or opening up equipment. You will never be penalized for filing a ticket instead of attempting a repair. The reverse is not always true, so when you are not sure, send it to us.
File a Service RequestNo harm done. Open a request in the portal, tell us what you already tried, and we will take it from there.