09/21/2026
Your home is your sanctuary, and it’s important to keep your home in the best shape it can be! With these preventative maintenance tips, prevent small issues from turning in extensive work orders, keep your apartment safe and functional, and protect your belongings!
Clean your filters regularly
If you have heating or air conditioning in your apartment, make sure to clean or replace filters monthly. Dirty filters don’t just increase your energy bill; they strain your system, which can lead to breakdowns at the worst possible time (think: a mid-summer heatwave).
Check for leaks
A slow drip under the sink or a damp patch behind the toilet may seem harmless, but moisture can lead to mold, water damage, and a larger-than-expected problem. Check under sinks, around appliances, and along windowsills monthly.
Keep drains clear
Clogged drains are one of the biggest reasons for emergency maintenance calls. Use strainers to catch hair in the shower and food scraps in the kitchen. If water starts draining slowly, put in a maintenance request before it has a chance to stop draining.
Run appliances properly
While it might be tempting to stuff “just one more” piece of laundry or dish into the washer, overloading your machines can cause motors to burn out more quickly. Follow size guidelines for longer appliance life.
Vacuum out refrigerator coils
This is a small and often overlooked chore that pays off big. Clean coils every few months to help your fridge cool efficiently and last longer.
Test your detectors
Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are life-saving devices, but again, they are often neglected. Test monthly, replace batteries when needed, and report any faulty units.
Take out the trash and clean regularly
Pests don’t need an engraved invitation to enter your apartment; they just need an open bag of trash or a pile of crumbs. Regular cleaning helps you spot problems early and keeps unwanted visitors away. It also makes it easier to spot issues like wear and tear, faulty wiring, or other problems before they become major issues.