MAINTENANCE REQUESTS

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We REQUIRE that all residents submit repair requests in writing so we can better service your needs and track vendor performance. 

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EMERGENCY REQUESTS

 

Please call our maintenance hotline at (206) 466-4938.  

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If the situation is life-threatening, please call 9-1-1 immediately and report to us after the situation is under control and the authorities are on the scene. 

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If you smell gas...leave the home immediately and call...PSE during business hours or 911 for the fire department after hours to check for a gas leak. Then contact us if there is a leak. 

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MAINTENANCE DIY

Issues to check prior to submitting a repair request. Note - if we send a vendor out and you haven't tried to resolve the problem with these basic household remedies, you may be charged for the repair.  

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No Electricity & Lights

• Check with your electric company to verify there are no outages in your area and your payments are up to date.

• Ask your neighbors if they have electricity to their unit.

• Locate your fuse box inside and ensure a switch is not set to the “Off” position.

• Outlet Not Working

  • Check the fuse box to see if the breaker is flipped

  • Look around for a GFCI outlet that needs to be reset (button popped out). GFCI outlets can be wired to multiple outlets. 

  • Try moving these electricity hungry devices to a different outlet...microwave, toaster-oven, fancy coffee makers, chargers, space heaters & window A/C units.   

• Light Not Working

  • Check the fuse box to see if the breaker is flipped​

  • Try testing the light bulb in other lights

• Light Flickering

  • Wrong Light Bulb - Often this means you have the wrong light bulb for the type of light fixture. For instance, LED light bulbs are not combatable with conventional dimmer lights and switches. 

  • Loose Light Bulb - Light bulbs can become loose in the socket. Turn the light off and tighten the bulb. Let us know if the socket itself is loose. 

  • Chilly Fluorescent  Flickering - Fluorescent bulbs tend to flicker when in a cold room or while lights power up. 

  • Overloaded Circuit - Many older home electrical systems weren't meant to service all the additional appliances and technology available today. You may not be able to plug in all your extra appliances and technology at the same time on the same circuit breaker. See tips above about moving electricity hungry devices to other outlets.  

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No Hot Water From Faucets

• Electric Hot Water Heater

  • ​Ensure you have power to your unit or apartment and that no fuses or breakers are blown in the fuse box.

  • Check the water tap on the device to make sure it is in the ON position.

• Gas Hot Water Heater

  • Make sure you have your gas setup from the utilities company and it is on for your unit or apartment.

  • Check for the pilot light to ensure it hasn’t blown out. How to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5gJRU-20a0

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Clogged Sink

• Tenants are responsible for clearing clogged drains unless the problem is related to a plumbing system issue.

• Be proactive! Start using the following drain clearing steps ideally 'before' the drain is completely clogged & not draining. 

  • Avoid using harsh drain cleaners, as they can cause damage to pipes, deteriorate plumbing fixture seals, are dangerous for children, have a negative impact on the environment and some plumbers charge an extra $100 if they have to clean it off their snaking equipment. 

  • If it is a hair clog, start by trying a $4 plastic drain snake to see if this alleviates the stoppage. How to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVWST2-VjcA&t=1s. 

  • Avoid using harsh drain cleaners, as they can cause damage to pipes, are dangerous for children, have a negative impact on the environment and 

  • Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.

  • Next, pour a cup of baking soda, followed by 1 cup water/1 cup vinegar solution. 

  • Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes

  • Pour boiling water down the drain again. 

  • The bubbling reaction from the baking soda and vinegar helps to loosen the drain clog, and the boiling water in step 4 helps remove it from your pipes.

• Check the garbage disposal to ensure there is no food or other objects clogging it. 

 

Garbage Disposal Not Working

• Reset the GFCI outlet. (GFCI outlets are ones with pop out buttons)

• Check for a switch under the sink and reset it if needed or set to the “On” position. 

  • Most garbage disposal units have a black or red safety button on the bottom. Try pressing this to see if it brings the disposal back to life.

• Unplug the disposal and check for any food or foreign objects that may be stuck in the unit. Do NOT stick your hands into the disposal if it is not unplugged. 

• If the disposal is unjammed, you pressed the reset button & it doesn't restart, attempt to turn the blades safely using a ¼ inch hex wrench in the key slot on the underside of the disposal. 

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Toilet Won't Stop Running

• DO NOT IGNORE a running toilet as it can triple your water bill in a month and by you not fixing or reporting it...you are responsible for that extra large water bill. 

• Check to make sure the flush handle is still attached to the flapper valve chain.

• If you have to jiggle the handle to get the toilet to stop running, open the lid and tighten the flush handle. 

• You may need to use a screw driver to tighten or adjust the fill valve. See video below. 

• If the rubber flapper at the bottom is not badly cracked but seems to let water flow through, try wiping the slippery mineral deposits off the bottom which often allow water to 'slip' through.  

• How To Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzfRd9immBo

• Do not use toilet cleaning tablets in the tank. They eat away and rust the tank kit parts.

 

Stove Burner Not Working

• Ensure the stove is plugged in and no fuses or switches are blown or set to the OFF position.

• If you have a burner style electric range, the burners sometimes dislodged during normal use. Try removing the burner, cleaning the contacts and reseating it into it’s outlet on the stove top.

• Gas ranges - Spilling a lot of liquids can clog the ignitor. Take the caps & plates off and clean everything thoroughly. 

 

Washing Machine Not Working

• Check where the water hoses connect to the taps on the wall and ensure the taps are turned on.

• Check the power cable and make sure it’s plugged in.

• Some washers do not function if the lid is not closed. Make sure it is closed and it is not stuck somehow in the open position.

• Sometimes a washing machine will stop mid-cycle if it is overloaded. If this might be the case, simply remove some of the laundry and try to start it again.

 

Dryer Not Working

• Make sure the dryer is plugged into the wall and the fuse or switch is not blown or set to the OFF position.

• Perhaps it is overheating and the sensor is shutting it off. Check for a clogged lint screen or any massive amounts of lint that may have made their way past the screen clogging up the outlet tube. Make sure the dryer vent is not being crushed behind the dryer blocking air flow. 

 

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