Updated with current information for 2022
As part of the lease of your student rental in Athens Ohio, your landlord or property manager is responsible for most repairs. However, some less reputable landlords can be pretty slow at getting to repairs, especially if they aren’t emergencies. Some issues you want solved right away. (A clogged toilet, for example, while not life-threatening, is an emergency nonetheless.) Many repairs are so simple you might as well do them yourself.
A word of caution, however, if any repair seems beyond your abilities, or involves an electrical issue, call the landlord. You’re already paying for the maintenance service as part of the rent you pay on the house you rent at Ohio University, after all.
Here are three easy repairs for your Athens Ohio rental home or apartment just about any dummy can do.
Fixing a clogged toilet.
Sure, it’s gross, but poop happens. It’s the stuff of life. A good toilet plunger is as essential as a working fire extinguisher. Know the difference however between a sink plunger (smaller and typically light brown) and a toilet plunger (much bigger with a full-length stick and typically black). Don’t be cheap and go for the sink plunger thinking it will be good enough. It’s a sticky situation, to say the least. You’ll need all the help and stick length you can get.
If the toilet is empty of water, fill it until it covers most of the rubber of the plunger. Give it 8 to 10 pushes. Once the water disappears down the bottom of the toilet, you’ve hit the sweet spot. Most clogs will eventually go, but you may need to work it a little. And don’t forget to swear, plenty.
Unclogging a Garbage Disposal
When your garbage disposal breaks, all life comes grinding to a halt. Your kitchen quickly becomes a hazmat area. The good news is you don’t have to wait for the maintenance guy to call you back. The cure for this one is really a cinch.
First, cut the power by unplugging the disposal to avoid any accidents. Next, use an Allen wrench to adjust the flywheel inside the disposal. To do this, simply place the Allen wrench in the hole at the bottom of the unit and rotate it to loosen any food that is clogged inside. Clear the obstruction. Run water down the drain. Replug the machine and test to see if it works again.
Fixing a Stuck Window
Windows tend to get stuck if there’s dirt in the runners and haven’t been used for a while. Considering how dirty the windows in Athens apartments can get, knowing how to fix this can come in pretty handy. All it requires is some elbow grease and a table or putty knife.
Pry the window away from the frame with the knife. Wiggle the edges until you’ve got some leverage and work it open. You could add WD40 if you’ve got a super stubborn window.
Dead plants in the yard
If your rental has a yard, there’s a chance that your landlord has planted some shrubbery around the premises. If something happens – be it disease or just poor upkeep – it’s likely that it’s not your responsibility to fix it.
However, if you have your own vision for how the shrubs should look, talk to your landlord. They may be amicable and let you plant some new ones. While this isn’t a “simple fix” it certainly is a simple ask.
Keep plaster on hand
A common problem in university homes and apartments is peeling paint or damage to walls. Keeping plaster in your closet is a cheap and effective way to take care of these problems as soon as they arise.