Daily and Weekly Maintenance Essentials 

Kitchen Maintenance 

The most highly trafficked part of your apartment requires the most maintenance to prevent excess repairs, ensuring everything remains in working order. You'll want to wipe down all surfaces post-use. This goes for kitchen counters and stovetops, which can get stained and build up if you neglect them. You also want to clean up spills immediately. Sticky surfaces and dirty appliances are ugly and ruin their integrity over time, resulting in costly repairs. 

Run the dishwasher on partial loads, even if it's just to ensure food and debris don't harden and stink. The Home Depot suggests that you should also clean your dishwasher's filter once a month. 

As for the oven, make sure you wipe down the insides after each use (once it cools down but before it's cold) to prevent grease from hardening and becoming difficult (and smoky) to remove the next time you use your oven. 

The Critical Lint Trap Rule 

Clear the dryer lint trap. According to Whirlpool's maintenance experts, if you fail to do this maintenance, it decreases drying potential and poses fire dangers. 

When you remove the lint screen, take a moment to wipe any lint you see. Once a month, run it under warm water to eliminate any fabric softener buildup and allow it to air dry before returning it to its place. Also, check the outside dryer vent of your unit (if possible) to ensure this isn't packed with lint. 

Monthly Maintenance Musts 

Bathroom Bliss 

You should be cleaning your bathroom regularly, but there are certain areas that need monthly maintenance, and you'll want to focus. Grout lines are petri dishes for mildew. Once a month, combine baking soda and an old toothbrush to scour the lines. Check your caulking along the tub and shower edges. Any cracking or gaps can let water behind your tiles and create mold. 

If your toilet runs often or has a weak flush, replace the inner workings to avoid water waste and overflow possibilities. 

HVAC Help 

Change your air filter every 1-3 months, depending on use and pets. A clogged filter makes your heat and A/C work twice as hard, raising energy bills and causing breakdowns over time. Average-sized air filters for apartments can be found at any hardware store. 

Do not obstruct vents with furniture or curtains, and allow air to flow through your apartment. Dust vent covers once a month for maximum air flow and unit efficiency.

Seasonal Maintenance Tasks 

Twice a Year, in the Spring and Fall 

Whenever daylight saving occurs, take the time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Clean the windows on the inside and outside for as much natural light as possible; check for cracks/seals from the exterior. Examine the weather stripping around windows and doors for gaps; report any inconsistencies to maintenance, as these are detrimental to energy efficiency and comfort. 

Summer and Winter Preparation 

Before the impending summer or winter, be sure to learn all about your pipes and faucets. You can run into potential issues with pipes freezing in winter, so know where your water shutoff valve is located to remedy any problems on your own. 

When to Make Maintenance Requests 

Know Your Limits 

Understanding what property management companies and tenants should be doing in conjunction with one another can save you money and prevent lease violations. Unless specified otherwise in your lease, you're in charge of all cleaning, changing light bulbs, and changing batteries in smoke detectors. Everything else—broken washer/dryer, toilet dripping, power going out—needs to be submitted to maintenance. If it's something you cannot control, they want to know about it. Plumbing issues, appliance problems, and electrical concerns should never be fixed by you, and you should always inform your landlord. 

Document Everything 

Before submitting any maintenance request, take pictures and document the issue. Maintenance will understand what they're walking into before they get there. 

Emergency versus Non-Emergency Maintenance Requests 

While many of your issues will need to be looked at by maintenance, some are emergencies, and others are less important. If a pipe bursts and floods your apartment or you smell gas, reach out to your maintenance team immediately (and 911 if need be). If you're locked out of your apartment or there's a flickering electrical outlet in the corner, save your call for business hours. 

No More Apartment Maintenance Woes in Abilene 

Use these helpful hints to become a better renter and overcome your apartment maintenance woes to ensure a homely atmosphere. 

If you're searching for apartments in Abilene that are fully equipped with an on-site maintenance team to handle any major repairs while you tackle minor, daily fixes, consider Mill Creek Apartments. We provide a professional maintenance staff that provides prompt, expert services for every component of your apartment. 

Do yourself a favor and give us a visit! Our 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans are designed with the perfect balance of comfort, style, and breathability, providing each resident with space to relax & unwind. 

Schedule your tour today and discover the heart of home at Mill Creek Apartments.