When moving into any Utah rental property, you will find that there are several common situations that leave you asking – “How do I fix that?” Below is guide that will help you through some of the common maintenance issues you’ll come across when renting a home in Utah.
How do I unclog a drain?
If a drain is running slow and needs attention, there are several simple remedies that a tenant can try. A simple fix is to buy a bottle of “Organic drain cleaner” from a Utah supermarket or hardware store. It usually requires half to three-quarters of the bottle and a set time of approximately 20-30 minutes. You can then flush with hot water. Depending on the severity of the clog, this may need to be repeated 2-3 times. Be sure to read the directions on the bottle, however. For more severe clogs, the drain my need to be “snaked” and you should contact your Utah property manager with a maintenance request.
How can I keep my garbage disposal working properly?
You should always be very careful with the types of foods that are thrown into your garbage disposal. Fat from meats and bones should never be placed in the garbage disposal, as they are very hard substances that can ruin the blades. Popcorn kernels can also be very detrimental as they can wedge themselves between the blades and the wall, which will jam the appliance. To keep the blades sharp, place ice cubes in the disposal and let it run. You can also deodorize it by grinding orange/lemon peels, or sprinkling a little baking soda.
How do I test a smoke detector?
Each smoke detector has a test button somewhere on the unit. By holding this button, the detector will produce a loud noise. If the unit does not produce any noise, the tenant may look into checking if the batteries and see if they need to be replaced. If new batteries do not solve the issue, the tenant should contact the Utah property management company regarding the defective unit and fill out a maintenance request.
