Quick fixes are what you will need, the first time you move out of your parents’ comfy home. The college experience or starting to live on your own, is a real eye-opener. Especially when things start to go wrong, and there’s no Dad around to help. Sure, you will have to call out the landlord for more serious issues. However, there are some things you can easily handle yourself, without having to wait on the landlord. Read on for five simple fixes, that can help you in your first rental property.
Quick Fix For A Clogged Drain In Your Rental Property
Whether it’s a case of the sink acting up, or hair going down the shower drain, clogged drains are an easy fix. And worth a try before calling for help. Drano is a real lifesaver, as it clears up clogged drains quickly and easily. Empty the contents into the blocked drain and wait for an hour for the drain to unclog and start flowing again. If the water still won’t flow as wanted, try using a metal clothes hanger. Simply unwind the hanger and create a claw of sorts. Then try pulling out whatever is clogging the drain.
If the kitchen sink features a garbage disposer, do not use Drano, in the sink. It may tarnish the blades or cause lasting damage to the rubber seals, resulting in water leaks. Instead, run dishwashing liquid into the sink. With the garbage disposer running, run hot water and let it flow for some time. This usually clears up most problems in the sink. Rice and pasta absorb water over time, and lead to clogged kitchen sinks. Avoid throwing them down the sink, as far as possible. This is one of the best quick fixes for a rental property.
Quick Fix For Bad Odors In Your Rental Property
If you feel your rental is starting to smell, first try to identify where the odor is coming from. Poor maintenance or incorrect use of kitchen equipment is the usual culprit. Unpleasant smells can originate from the dishwasher, due to the nature of its use. If left uncleaned for a long time, the odor can turn particularly nasty and make the whole rental smell. The refrigerator can also create bad odors due to the presence of bacteria in leftover food. Pets in the property can also generate strong and unpleasant odors. Carpets, cigarettes, and ashtrays all are sources of odors, that you can find easily.
Open out the windows and door to air the property and improve circulation. Use a deodorizer gel, spray, or tub, especially in the toilet. Ozone generators are another proven means of destroying foul odors in a rental property. Use a popular brand of carpet cleaner foam and spray on the carpet as instructed. Be sure to test the product for color fastness as instructed, first. Spray onto the carpet and leave for a few hours, working the product into heavily soiled areas. Vacuum the carpet slowly to get your carpet or rug back. For heavily soiled or dirty carpets, consider calling out a professional cleaning company.
Cigarette smoke and odors tend to accumulate in HVAC filters. In a property with a heavy smoking tenant, the odor will even cling to curtains, sofas, and other furniture. For this reason, make sure to replace the HVAC filters periodically. Also, use upholstery cleaning foam on the furnishings to brighten them up and get rid of unwanted odors. This is a quick fix for a rental property, without expensive professional services.
Quick Fix For Dings And Wall Damage
If you have accidentally scuffed any wooden furniture or decorative wooden items, here’s an easy fix. Simply rub a walnut into the damaged area, to make the scuff mark less noticeable. Brown shoe polish is another magic fix, as are permanent marker pens.
If you went overly gung-ho with the hammer and nails in your rental, there is an easy way to patch up the holes, without calling out for professional help. First, use spackle to plug up the holes left behind by the nails. Once filled, apply a thin layer of spackle over the surface to smooth it out and blend in the area with the repairs. Let dry and use a wet sponge to even out the application. This is one of the best quick fixes for a rental property, to avoid getting charged for repairs when moving out.
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