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Blog Posts By Date: November 2017

11/28/2017

How to Get your Security Deposit Back

How to Get your Security Deposit Back

It's hard to imagine where to even begin when moving out of your home. Between the yes and no questions of "Do I reallllly need this?" and "I forgot I even had this", one question you may ask is "How do I get my Security Deposit back?". It's a significant and expensive question that has crossed the mind. After all, a pretty penny went towards the security deposit; why not try to get most of it back? Part of the series of common maintenance items anyone can do, we've created a list of tasks that can help maximize returning your deposit. We understand that it can be overwhelming at times, so a steady pace and the right tools can make anything achievable   KITCHEN Clean refrigerator, shelves, crisper, under crisper and underfoot guard. Clean and defrost freezer. Clean Cabinet Doors Inside and Out Clean tiles and faucet fixtures. Clean floor (including under the refrigerator and stove). Check and clean garbage disposal (if applicable). Clean stove, hood, vent, and filter (all should be grease free). Clean all counter tops. LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, BEDROOMS, CLOSET, AND HALLWAYS Vacuum carpet, including edges. Shampoo the carpets if necessary. Carpets are preferably cleaned professionally to avoid damage. Clean baseboards and woodwork throughout the unit. Clean all blinds. Clean windows and windowsills (inside and out wherever possible). Clean and vacuum sliding window tracks. Clean air conditioner BATHROOMS Clean medicine cabinet out completely Clean mirrors Clean window and windowsill Clean all tile Clean floor Clean Bathtub, Shower, shower doors Clean all drawer/cabinets & vanity Clean hardware on faucets/shower Clean toilet inside & Out including enclosed base FIXTURES Clean ceiling fan blades Light cover Outlet Covers need to be installed GARAGE AND PARKING STALLS Stain-free from any car oil GARBAGE AND DEBRIS Remove and dispose of any debris.     more...

11/14/2017

How to Tackle Ant Problems

How to Tackle Ant Problems

Imagine waking up one morning, getting ready for the day. You walk into the kitchen to find a steady trail of ants that have invaded your kitchen. Ants are always an unwelcome sight. And even if you see one scurrying around, it may be a sign to immediately do a full clean of the area. If you are reading past this part, chances are that an army of ants have found sweet victory. Instead of calling pest control or using chemicals to tackle the problem, consider using non-toxic alternatives to save money and cause less harm to your health. Here are some natural ways to disrupt ant trails and win the kitchen battle. Vinegar Who knew that a common ingredient could be use in so many ways. Luckily, vinegar can be found anywhere and is used to disrupt the ants’ scent trail. By spraying a mixture of vinegar and water and blocking off the ants’ path, consider the situation controlled. Fresh Garlic Another common ingredient that wrecks havoc on ants. Placing the garlic will displace the ants by disrupting their field. If you use garlic, you may want to replace it every couple of days so it doesn’t dry out. Baking Soda Creating a mixture of baking soda and sugar will first attract the ants, but the compound will decrease the number of ants you find.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXEMcCINxGA   more...

11/14/2017

What to do when your Electricity is shut off

What to do when your Electricity is shut off

Perhaps considered one of the greatest powers harnessed by humans, electricity has played a huge role in advancing civilisations and bringing us to where we are today. With all these technological advances and dependencies such as charging our phones and using appliances, it’s hard to imagine what we would do without it. So what happens when it goes out? Well, the world doesn’t stop, but it can feel like it. Calling the electrician is an option to bring things back to speed, but have you thought how much money you could save by taking a few quick steps? Let’s start with some basics. Basically, everything that has to do with your home’s electricity starts at the circuit breaker panel. This is usually a grey or metallic compartment that can be found on a wall in a hallway or closet of your house, or even outside. When you open the circuit breaker panel, you’ll find switches that are hopefully labeled to each respective electrical output areas. If one of your outlets is not working, or tripped, check to see if it has a reset and test button. If so, then it is a GFI outlet, which is commonly found in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens. Unplug any appliances or cords going into the GFI outlet and press the test button. If you see a light on the GFI outlet, that also means it’s tripped. By pressing the button, you reset the outlet and bring it back to normal. Additionally, if an outlet is not working, check the circuit breaker panel to see if the circuit breaker is in the off position. If it is, then that means the circuit tripped. Switch it back to the On position to reset the circuit.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trLeLJdMWWI   more...

11/14/2017

One Thing No One Told you About Unclogging Toilets

One Thing No One Told you About Unclogging Toilets

As crappy as this situation can be, this is one of the most common maintenance issues that happens in every household. No one wants to think about rolling up their sleeves and plunging the shit out of their toilet, but is it really worth calling a plumber take care of it? What if we told you a plumber secret you wish you had known that will save you time and energy? Our goal is to make it mentally and physically easier for you to clear out the mess. Without further ado, here's the secret no one told you about The Plumber’s Secret The first thing is to do is to immediately take the lid off the tank, then reach down and close the flapper. This prevents the toilet bowl from filling up and overflowing. Wait for some of the water to drain down. Next, get a pot of hot water and add two to three cups to the toilet bowl. This is going to melt the clog and get things moving. After waiting 10 minutes, try flushing the toilet. If it’s still clogged, make sure to open the tank and lift up the flapper to prevent overflowing. Finally, if the hot water doesn’t work, grab some more hot water and add a couple tablespoons dishwasher soap to the bowl. Let the solution rest for about 15 minutes. Proceed to flush to see if it worked. If not, make sure to open the tank and lift up the flapper. Bring out the Plunger There are many plungers that fit for toilets. For all utility purposes, funnel cup plungers work the most effectively, pumping water to get the clog moving. Once you have a plunger, warm it up by running hot water over it. This will create a stronger seal when you place the plunger over the exit hole. The next step is to start plunging, focusing on the upward movement as much as the downward movement. Keep trying this until you see the toilet successfully flush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ut7NGnZBdw   more...

11/13/2017

What to do if Shower or Sink Drain is Clogged

What to do if Shower or Sink Drain is Clogged

When it comes to a slow-draining shower or sink, using a few common household items can do wonders.When it comes to a slow-draining shower or sink, using a few common household items can do wonders. Seriously, who would have thought that a 6th grade science project would come back to fix this maintenance headache? Clogged drains for showers and sinks can be sort of a nasty chore, which makes it all the more easier to have someone else fix it. Before you call a plumber, consider taking a few of these steps. You could end up saving time and money. And plus, it can be fun playing chemist with baking soda and vinegar; just make sure to pour them in the right place. Let’s start with the shower draining slowly. In all likelihood, there will be a lot of hair build up in the drain, but could be other particles too. When diagnosing the problem, check if there is a drain trap because the first thing you’ll need to do is remove it using the appropriate screwdriver. Be careful not to drop any screws down the drain. After the trap is removed, there are a few ways to clear out the drain. 1. Take a plastic bag and use it as a glove to take out any hair and gunk. 2. Acquire a metal coat hanger and cut it to create a hook. You can do this by using a wire cutter or scissors. Use the makeshift hook to pull out any gunk. 3. If you do not find anything to pull out, boil a pot of hot water. Pour it down the drain, then pour about a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then, pour about a cup of vinegar down the drain and wait a few minutes for the solution to work. Proceed to pour more hot water in the drain. Once completed, be sure to re-attach the trap over the drain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXSTSqv2QR8 If the sink is draining slowly, wait until all the water is drained before starting this next part. Proceed to pour a pot of hot water down the drain. Once that is completed, put a one cup of baking soda in the opening and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes. Then pour one cup of vinegar. This is where the magic happens. Bubbles will start fizzing from the solution, so wait another 10 minutes for the solution to do its work. Once the fizzing subsides, turn on the water to wash away the solution. Repeat this process if it still takes awhile for water to drain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u0sMRKb0NY&t=107s   more...

11/13/2017

How to Fix the Garbage Disposal

How to Fix the Garbage Disposal

Fixing the garbage disposal may sound difficult, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can turn out to be one of the easier maintenance items to tackle. The first thing you’ll want to check is if the disposal is getting power at all. To do this, check the circuit breaker and look for the switch that’s labeled garbage disposal. Sometimes it will be tagged with a different kitchen appliance, like the dishwasher. If it’s in the off position, switch it back on then test the disposal. The second thing to check is underneath the disposal unit and look for a trip switch, which should be a red button. Sometimes, when the disposal unit is working too hard, the switch will trip, causing it to turn off. Pushing the switch will reset it. Once it has reset, go ahead and test the disposal. If it’s still not spinning, there is probably something jammed. If there is something dislodged inside, use an Allen wrench and start turning at the bottom of the disposal unit. This will also turn the disposal disc inside.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xFUJIUsHVI   more...

11/13/2017

How to Take Care of Common Maintenance Problems

How to Take Care of Common Maintenance Problems

There are moments in our lives where matters need to be taken in our own hands and, in terms of doing some of the least favorable home chores, those moments can get right into the down and dirty. We’ve all been there before with clogged toilets, hair-congested drains, jammed garbage disposals. One of the first things we think is to call in the cavalry to fix it. Sure, someone will come out within a few days, diagnose and fix the problem, then fork over the bill, but have you thought how much money you could save by fixing things yourself? The task may seem daunting at first, but once the steps are broken down, anyone with common household items can really take the matters into their own hands. Plus, when it comes to these things happening again, which they will, being mentally prepared and confident is already half the challenge. Without further ado, here are common household maintenance items everyone can do.   How to fix the Garbage Disposal What to do when the Shower or Sink is Clogged One Thing No One Told you about Unclogging Toilets What to do when your Electricity is shut off How to Tackle Ants Problems Naturally How to get your Security Deposit back   more...