Easy DIY Solutions for 5 Common Maintenance Issues

02.25.2021 |

When something strange goes wrong in your apartment, it doesn’t always require the expertise of a maintenance professional to fix it.

For common conundrums we see with power outlets, garbage disposals, and more, there are quick and easy solutions you can try yourself before submitting a service request.

Peruse the problems listed below to see if one of our team’s suggested solutions can save the day!

#1: Breaker Boxes

Did your lights suddenly go out? Or maybe one of your appliances stopped working? You probably just tripped a breaker, and it’s easy to restore power yourself!

First, you need to locate your breaker box. It can be found in a different room of your apartment, depending on the floor plan:

  • For a Jade, it’s on the wall across from your refrigerator.
  • For a Ruby, it’s on the wall inside your laundry room.
  • For a Sapphire, Amber, Diamond, Citrine, or Opal, it will be on the wall behind a bedroom door.

Once you find the breaker box, open it up and look for a switch labeled with the name of the area where you do not have power. 

If the correlating switch is out of line with the other switches, that means it has shut off.

Flip the switch all the way to the opposite side (to turn it off), and then flip it all the way back on again to match the other switches.

You should now have power back where you need it!

#2: Power Outlets

Has the power outlet in your bathroom stop working? It’s a GFI outlet, so it will shut off to protect you from getting a shock if it detects an imbalance in the flow of electricity from the devices you use. 

Never fear! It’s easy to reset the outlet. 

Just press the “Reset” button between the two plug-in terminals.

#3: Water Filters

Water filter replacements are common service requests that the maintenance team here at Bowman Pointe is happy to handle for you. 

But, since we are living through a global pandemic and adjusting to a new normal, we understand if you would rather do it yourself to keep people out of your home. 

If that’s the case, just submit a service request making note you would like to replace the filter yourself and we can deliver a new water filter directly to your doorstep.

To install the new filter, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Open your freezer door and twist your old water filter to the left until it pulls down and out.
  2. Push the new water filter into place and twist to the right to secure.
  3. Trash the old water filter.

Now, you can hold down the water filter button on your freezer door for three seconds to reset the water filter timer. When it turns red again, it’s time for a new filter!

#4: Garbage Disposals

Is the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink simply not disposing?

There are a few things you can do to quickly troubleshoot the issue:

  • If you don’t hear any noise or movement when you turn on the garbage disposal, turn it off.
  • Double-check that the disposal is still plugged in under your sink.
  • Carefully make sure nothing is stuck inside the disposal.
  • Look for a reset button on the side or underneath the garbage disposal. If it has popped out, push it back in to reset it.
  • Run your garbage disposal with fresh ice to sharpen the blades.

#5: Water Shutoff

Water leaks, sink stoppages, and toilet clogs (if you only have one bathroom in your apartment) are considered maintenance emergencies. So, you need to shut off the water immediately before it overflows. 

Then, call our office at 501.725.9055 and request emergency maintenance service. Do not email us or submit a request online!

Find the appropriate shutoff location and screw the valve shut until water stops flowing:

  • Behind your toilet
  • Behind your washing machine
  • Under your sink

If you call our office after normal business hours, you need to leave a message for the on-call maintenance technician. They are available 24 hours a day and will be alerted immediately to respond to your message. 

Still Need Some Assistance?

If these quick and easy DIY fixes don’t solve your problem, please submit a maintenance request via our app or your resident portal.

You can also contact our office at 501.725.9055 if you have any other questions!

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