PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE GUIDE

In addition to reading this Preventative Maintenance Guide, check the “Preventative Measures” section of the appropriate Operation Manual. Operations Manuals can be found in the “PLASTIC POUCH” provided at Check-In and kept in each rental home. Operation Manuals and preventative maintenance information can also be found on the internet.

  1. Air Conditioners (window, central, split)
  2. Clothes Dryer
  3. Dishwasher
  4. To Keep Drains Running Freely
  5. Garbage Disposal
  6. GFCI Outlets
  7. Smoke Detectors
  8. Termites
  9. Toilets
  10. Washing Machine
  11. Yard & Landscaped Areas
1
Air Conditioners (window, central, split)
12-01-2015
12-01-2015

For window a/c and split a/c units: 
• As instructed during Check-In, remove and clean air conditioning filter once per month.

For central a/c units:
• As instructed during Check-In, replace your filters once per month from the supply provided.
• When you are using your second to last filter, please Submit a Maintenance Request so we can order more filters and schedule the semi-annual service.

2
Clothes Dryer
12-01-2015
12-01-2015

A clothes dryer should dry a normal load of wash in no more than one hour. If you find you need two cycles or more than one hour to dry your clothes, your dryer is not working properly. Please Submit a Maintenance Request. 

3
Dishwasher
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Do Daily  • To prevent clogs and bacteria scrape food from the dishes and pre-rinse to clean off dried-on food.
Do Weekly • Run the dishwasher weekly, even if it’s empty to prevent clogging in the line especially if you have a garbage disposal.
Do Every 2 Months • Run an empty load and add two cups of white vinegar to dissolve hard water deposits.
Do Yearly • Clean the filter.
Don’t • Don’t overload the dishwasher, it won’t clean as well.
Don’t • Don’t ever use dish soap, it will over suds and make a mess.
Don’t • Don’t use gel soap, it tends to gunk up the system.
4
To Keep Drains Running Freely
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12-01-2015
#1.  Keep foreign objects from going down the drains.
#2.  Install removable, cleanable strainers in each of your drains.
MONTHLY     For Garbage Disposal, Kitchen Sink, Bath Sink, Tub/Shower/Utility Sinks:
To help prevent clogs from hair, food and oils.  
 • Pour 1 Tablespoon table salt 1 Tablespoon baking soda (not baking powder) down the drains.
 • Next pour ¼ cup white vinegar down drain.
 • Step back, it will bubble & fizzle.
 • Wait 20 minutes.
 • Pour 2 quarts hot water down drain. Use COLD water for garbage disposal and kitchen sink drains.
To prevent clogs from hair, soap scum and oils.      • Consider buying the amazing “Zip-It Cleaning Tool” ($2.00-$5.00) for periodic cleaning out. However, DO NOT use this tool in the Garbage Disposal. 
 
5
Garbage Disposal
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To Operate   • Run strong flow of COLD water. Cold water will help keep oils/fat/grease in small particles so it flushes down the drain instead of building up inside the drain.
• Turn on wall switch to start disposal.
• Once grinding is completed, turn off the disposal BUT continue to run the cold water 15 seconds longer to completely flush the drain.
To Clean     • Run strong flow of COLD water.
• Turn on wall switch to start disposal.
• Add 1 cup of ice chips to help scour the blades.
• While still operating, add a few slices of lemon.
To Prevent Clogging  • Operate with COLD water while grinding.
• Once grinding is completed, turn the disposal off and continue running cold water 15 seconds longer to completely flush drain.
• Put very few things down the disposal.  We recommend you limit even food scraps. Instead scrape them into the garbage can.
• Do NOT pour grease or fat down the disposal. Put it in a jar or can with a lid, place in refrigerator to harden, when full, throw jar out in trash.
• Do NOT throw bones or pits down the garbage disposal.
• Do NOT try to grind highly fibrous foods like: corn husks, artichoke leaves, celery, banana peels, etc.
To Prevent Foul Smells    • Put 1 cup of ice chips down disposal and with cold water running, turn disposal “on”. 
• Next put some slices of lemon down disposal and with cold water running, turn disposal “on”.
Monthly Treatment     • Pour 1 tablespoon table salt 1 tablespoon baking soda (not baking powder) down the disposal. 
• Next pour ¼ cup white vinegar down the disposal.
• Step back, it will bubble and fizzle.
• Wait 15 minutes.
• Run strong flow of cold water and turn the disposal on.
6
GFCI Outlets
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12-01-2015
Step #1    • Plug a nightlight or lamp into the outlet being tested. The light should be on.
Step #2 • Press the "TEST" button to trip the outlet and break the circuit. It should “click in” and stay depressed, the “RESET” button should pop out and the light should go out.
Step #3 • If the RESET button does not pop out, the GFCI outlet may need to be replaced. Don’t use this outlet. Submit a Maintenance Request.
Step #4 • If the RESET button does pop out but the light does NOT go out, the outlet may be miswired. A miswired outlet is dangerous and it should be fixed immediately. Don’t use this outlet. Submit a Maintenance Request.
Step #5 • If the GFCI outlet tests okay, press the “RESET” button to restore the circuit.
7
Smoke Detectors
12-01-2015
12-01-2015

CHECK ALL SMOKE DETECTORS MONTHLY.

Step #1    • There are now many different types of smoke detectors on the market and in homes. Read the operation manual for the smoke detectors in your home. You can check the internet for additional information.
Step #2 • With most smoke detectors, it is recommended that you change the battery yearly, or as soon as the alarm “chirps” warning that the battery is low.
Step #3 • If your smoke detector has a 10-year lithium battery, do NOT change the battery – Submit a Maintenance Request
Step #4 • It is easy to change the battery in most battery-operated smoke detectors. Once you have opened the housing, just replace the old battery with a new one then TEST it.
Step #5 • Before opening plastic housing, note the arrows indicating which way to turn to open.
Step #6 • If your smoke detector is not functioning properly after changing the battery – Submit a Maintenance Request.

FOR SMOKE DETECTORS HARD-WIRED INTO THE HOME'S ELECTRICITY

Step #1
 • Please note the arrows on the plastic housing, indicating which way to turn to open.
Step #2
 • To change the back-up battery in your hard-wired smoke detector:
  1. Open the housing and unplug the hard-wire.
  2. Remove the old battery.
  3. Hold the test button down for 45-60 seconds or until there is NO Noise.
  4. Replace old battery with a new one.
  5. Plug the hard-wire back into the detector and replace the plastic housing.
  6. TEST the smoke detector, with the new battery.
  7. If detector still chirps, remove the battery and repeat steps #3 - 6 again. 
Step #3
  • If your hard wired smoke detector is not functioning properly after changing the battery – link to Submit a Maintenance Request.
Step #4
  • If your smoke detector is not functioning properly and it is hard-wired into the home’s electricity but there is NO BATTERY to replace – Submit a Maintenance Request.

**    If your smoke detector has a 10-year lithium battery, do NOT change the battery – Submit a Maintenance Request.

8
Termites
12-01-2015
12-01-2015

Notify Woodstock Properties, Inc. immediately for any evidence of termite infestation.  It may appear as small piles of tiny black balls of sand-like material or small mud trails up the sides of the house or fence.

9
Toilets
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12-01-2015
  • Do Not flush the following down the toilet:  napkins, paper towels, food scraps, balls of hair, diapers, clothes, coins, toys, sanitary napkins, tampons, large wads of toilet paper, newspaper, matches, Q-tips, grease, oil, rags, sand, dirt, rocks.
  • Do NOT use “blue” or clear deodorant tablets in toilet.
  • Do Not use hangers or snakes; they can scratch the porcelain bowl.
  • Do Not pour boiling water down toilet; it can crack the porcelain bowl.
10
Washing Machine
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12-01-2015
  • If applicable as instructed during Check-In, use “high efficiency” detergent if you have a “high efficiency” washing machine in your unit.
  • Check Operation Manual instructions located in PLASTIC POUCH.
11
Yard & Landscaped Areas
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12-01-2015
  • If applicable as instructed during Check-In, maintain yard or landscaped areas by watering and weeding as needed.
  • Keep plants and foliage from touching the home/fence and walls, any of these can be an entry point for termites and ants.
  • Even if your Rental Agreement includes yard services as paid by the owner, the Tenant is still responsible for the condition of the yard. Please report broken sprinklers, dry areas and/or dying landscaping to the gardener AND Woodstock Properties, Inc.

For other maintenance issues you may be experiencing click on: “FAQ Maintenance”