When To Call Maintenance In Your Indianapolis Apartment

Without question, major issues, like heating and electrical trouble, are a no-brainer, but what about minor issues? Do you also call in burned-out lighting or frayed carpeting? At what point should you repair issues yourself? 

Call Maintenance For Your Indianapolis Apartment When These Issues Arise

If you find a significant issue – especially one that's structural -- it's usually covered as part of your renter’s agreement. Here’s a list of frequently seen difficulties you might experience:

• Leaks and water infiltration: If you see water coming in from the roof or you have a toilet overflow or faulty appliance that causes water damage, notify maintenance immediately.

• Heating and cooling problems: If your air conditioning stops blowing, or your furnace stops heating, go ahead and call maintenance. Even if it's pleasant outside, your AC and furnace should be operational.

• Plumbing leaks and clogs: If the toilet won’t flush, try to plunge it yourself first. If you have no luck, then give maintenance a call. Also, open a ticket for sink or shower drips.

• Bugs: Some pests can get into your apartment by clinging to your clothing or your furry friend. But if you encounter any troublesome critters -- like cockroaches, mice, or ants – you will likely need your apartment manager to send out a pest control expert.

• Appliance breakdowns: If your freezer won't cool or your oven burner refuses to work, you need to make the call. Major appliances that were there when you moved in are typically covered, but items you own – a coffee machine, microwave, mini fridge – is up to you to repair or replace.

• Faulty doors or windows: Your front and patio doors should close and lock properly. If water infiltration or damage from misuse prevents them from easily functioning, they need to be replaced for safety reasons. Windows should have the same expectations.

• Drywall, flooring, and other issues: If you spot a hole in the wall or a chipped tile, call maintenance for a repair. Fraying or torn carpet might need replacing, especially if it exposes a carpet tack.

• Lighting: When light bulbs fail, they could easily be replaced at your leisure. However, if your light fixture seems to churn through light bulbs, you might ask the management staff to find out if you have electrical problems. It’s smart to inquire if maintenance will provide light bulbs in the event they need changing as special bulbs are sometimes used.

• Toilet and drain clogs: When your toilet won’t flush, use a plunger first. Likewise, you may need some drain cleaner to get the hair out of the drain. If you need a drain snake, contact the service staff to avoid damaging the pipes.

• Air filters: Unless noted in your contract, you're on the hook to replace the filter in your HVAC system. A dirty filter will reduce the flow of air and impact your apartment’s comfort. If the filter is opaque, it's time for a new one. The maintenance staff may be willing to replace filters for you, so be sure to ask.

• Keep it Clean: Regrettably, cleaning your Indianapolis apartment is a job for you. That goes for both your interior and exterior patio space.