When things go wrong in your home, it's never fun and can prove daunting and stressful.
Flooding is one of the most common things that can go wrong in a home.
So firstly, if you're a renter, it is recommended that you get renters insurance since that is usually your best defense when things do go seriously wrong. Renters insurance is generally affordable and is designed to protect you from liability and belongings such as theft, fire, storms, and natural disasters — remember, your landlord or superintendent isn't responsible for your belongings.
Second, pay attention to what policies do and don't cover. Your insurance should include flood coverage if you live in a high-risk flood area. Home insurance policies are similar to renters insurance, but those typically cover both the structure of the home and outbuildings in addition to your belongings.
Regardless of what goes wrong, if you're a renter and there's an issue with something your landlord is responsible for such as the unit itself, or appliances that they provided, your first call should be to the maintenance team or your landlord. If you're a homeowner and can't handle a problem like this yourself, call a professional service for help, such as a plumber if your toilet won't flush or if you have HVAC issues, in which case, call a technician for repair. Below are the most common scenarios and how to handle them.
Plumbing issues
If a pipe bursts or leaks, the first thing you want to do is shut the water off. Most homes’ water lines are usually accessible, but if you're renting, that might not be the case so you would need to contact your landlord or superintendent as quickly as possible.
The longer there is water in your home, the more damage will occur.
Standing water is no laughing matter. It can cause mold, mildew, and eventually health issues. If no one is responsive within a few hours, you’ll want to contact someone else asap. If you do need to handle things yourself, try to get rid of as much excess water as possible. You can purchase a water pump from a home improvement store and pump it into a sink or bathtub, then dry everything off; you can speed up the process using fans or opening windows.
If your garbage disposal isn't working, unplug it before reaching in to find the culprit. If there isn't an apparent object that's clogging it, you can try garbage disposal cleaning tabs. Also, some disposals have reset buttons.
Appliance breakdowns
If you notice your refrigerator isn't as cold as it should be, check the condenser coils on the back of the fridge. Condenser coils can get dirty, so pull your fridge away from the wall every six months to vacuum those coils. The accumulation can make your fridge not cool as efficiently and work harder, which can eventually lead to machinery breakdowns if not looked at sooner.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
If your smoke or carbon monoxide detector isn't working or beeping, make sure it's not expired. Some smoke detectors need to be replaced every eight to 10 years and carbon monoxide detectors every 5 years or so. If your detectors are battery-powered, make sure you are replacing the batteries. If renting, any replacements might need to be done by maintenance staff.
Heating, cooling, and vent systems
All heating and cooling systems need routine maintenance at least once a year.
In both apartments and homes, most residents eventually experience issues with cooling or heating. Residents may also notice the units running for extended periods of time with swings in indoor temperatures.
Experts typically see problems due to dirty air filters, dirty or blocked condensing oil, refrigerant leaks, clogged condensate line, and failed electrical components such as motors, capacitors, relays, and contractors. A dirty filter can be replaced by you even if you are renting, although more complicated problems may require a professional.
No hot water?
If you're not getting hot water, your water heater may have failed or needs to be replaced entirely. If you're in an apartment, call your landlord or superintendent. For a house, call a plumber.
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