Filed under: Property Management | Tags: Chris Hermanski, Home Maintenance, Portland OR, Property Management, property management services, rental property maintenance, rentals, tenants
The Annual Mainlander Property Management Vendor Appreciation Luncheon was held on Thursday, February 17th. It was another huge success! The festivities took place at Mainlander’s office in Lake Oswego and was attended by over 45 vendors. 
They came from all over to enjoy some great food that was either prepared by a Mainlander staff member or brought in from local restaurants like Busters BBQ! Many even found room to enjoy a piece of the giant Tres Leche cake for dessert!
The food, conversation and networking opportunities were much appreciated by all. Over the course of the lunch, everyone had a chance to relax, enjoy conversation and network with each other while the Mainlander staff gave out exciting door prizes to some very lucky winners.
Some prizes and winners included a Portland City Grill Gift Certificate to Willamette Spa, a Nel Centro Restaurant Certificate to Pro Drain, a 2 night stay at Hotel Modera in Portland to Coho Electric and a 1 night stay at Hotel Andra in Seattle to Norm Jensen!!!
Mainlander Property Management appreciates their vendors and looks forward to this event each and every year. It’s a time to give back and say thank you for all the hard work that is put into by these individuals to help make Mainlander the great property management company it has grown to be!
Filed under: General, Home Maintenance, Home Repairs, Home Safety, Uncategorized, Winterize: Helpful Hints | Tags: Chris Hermanski, Home Maintenance, Winterize Tips
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your water pipes. When pipes freeze, they can crack. When pipes thaw, water coming out of those cracks can turn into a big mess. Knowing how to prevent your pipes from freezing and knowing how to shut off your water in the event that your pipes break is a major key to getting ready for the winter weather.
Before freezing weather
- Disconnect and drain hoses from outside faucets.
- Turn off and drain irrigation systems and backflow devices. Wrap backflow devices with insulating material.
- Cover outside faucets with insulation or newspaper.
- Cover foundation vents with foam blocks, thickly folded newspaper or cardboard.
- Insulate hot and cold pipes in unheated areas, such as the garage, crawl space or attic.
Shutting off your water
You and your family should always know how to shut off your water in case a pipe breaks, or in another water-related emergency. There should be a valve near the house. Look in the following places:
- In the crawl space or basement, where the water line enters the home.
- In the garage where the waterline enters the wall or ceiling, near the water heater or laundry hookup.
- Outside near the foundation, often protected by a concrete ring or clay pipe.
Some houses may not have a water shut-off valve.
For help with finding your water shut-off valve or for more information about preparing your pipes for cold weather, call your local water company.
Preparing for the unexpected
Do you and your family have a disaster plan and 72-hour kit? Having essential supplies on hand will make you and your family prepared for emergencies, whenever they may occur. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue’s website at tvfr.com and click on “Safety Tips” or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
Information provide by:
Water Words – A joint newsletter from the Tualatin Valley Water District and Clean Water Services (November-December 2010)
Filed under: General, Home Maintenance, Household Appliances | Tags: Chris Hermanski, Home Maintenance
By Arricca Elin SanSone
Just as your car needs its oil changed on a regular basis, your household appliances need TLC, too. “A few preventive maintenance steps will help you get the maximum lifespan out of each appliance,” says Dean Landers, president of Landers Appliance in Baltimore, Maryland. “Regular care also helps appliances function more efficiently and safely.” Read on to learn how to keep everyday appliances in tip-top shape for years to come.
Refrigerator
Average lifespan: 13 years
What to do: Use a long-handled refrigerator coil brush ($8.49; AceHardware.com) or your vacuum’s crevice tool to remove dust bunnies and pet hair around the condenser coils, located underneath freestanding fridges and on top of built-in models. Wipe dust, crumbs and spills off door seals and gaskets with a damp rag.
Why: “Dust around the coils makes the unit work harder, which can shorten its life,” says Landers. And dirty, sticky gaskets tear or stretch, letting cold air leak out (plus, a new gasket runs about $100 if you need to replace it).
Photo by Shutterstock.
Dishwasher
Average lifespan: 9 years
What to do: If your machine has a removable filter, rinse out any food particles or other goop lodged in it. (Reference your owner’s manual for the exact location, but it’s usually along the bottom, inside the machine. Tip: If you can’t find your manual, visit the manufacturer’s website or ManualsOnline.com.) Use a dishwasher rack repair kit (found at most hardware stores or on manufacturer’s website) to touch up rusty or cracked prongs on the dishwasher racks. Wipe down goopy door gaskets and doorframes.
Why: “The dishwasher will redeposit food particles on clean dishes if the filter is clogged,” says Mike Staats, a service management consultant with Toolhead, Inc. Exposed rack prongs scratch dishes and glassware, and replacement racks aren’t cheap (around $125)—especially compared to the cost of a repair kit, which is usually less than $30. Finally, “door gaskets that don’t seal well can leak,” says Staats, leading to bigger messes in the kitchen.
Photo by Shutterstock.
Discover 5 clever tricks for loading and using your dishwasher.
Gas or Smoothtop Range
Average lifespan: 13 years
What to do: On gas ranges, use a sewing needle, pin or thin paper clip to poke through burner ports (the holes where gas comes through the burner). Soak burner caps and rings in soapy water to remove food residue. Wipe down glass cooktop ranges regularly.
Why: “Spills can block gas burner ports,” says Robert Mckechnie, engineer and new product manager for Electrolux, and that may prevent the burner from igniting. On smoothtop ranges, some spills, such as sugary substances, cause surface pitting if not cleaned.
Photo by Shutterstock.
Microwave Oven and Vent Hood
Average lifespan: 9 years
What to do: Wipe microwave interior and door seals regularly with a damp cloth. On the underside of over-the-range microwaves, clean grease filters from the vent hood monthly by removing, soaking in soapy water, rinsing, drying and replacing. If your vent hood has a charcoal filter, replace it every 6 to 12 months.
Why: “Food spills and particles can stick to the interior, which may cause the microwave to work less efficiently,” says Mckechnie. And vent hood filters that are clogged and dirty won’t get smoke and odors out of your kitchen.
Photo by Shutterstock.
Washing Machine
Average lifespan: 10 years
What to do: If you have rubber drain hoses, swap them for braided stainless steel mesh ones. To do this, first shut off the water supply and unplug the machine’s power cord. (If you need room to work, pull the machine away from the wall.) Then, remove the hose end from the drain tube and place in a bucket so any accumulated water can drain out. Unscrew the clamp at the other end of the hose (attached to back of the machine) to completely remove the hose. Attach the steel mesh hose to the washing machine, secure clamp and slip the other end of the hose into the drain pipe. Regularly wipe out the detergent dispenser drawer with a damp rag, or pour water through it to rinse it out. For front-loaders, wipe the door gasket (the rubber seal around the door) dry after use.
Why: “Rubber drain hoses are notorious for bursting and causing major water damage to the machine and your home,” says Landers. Keeping the detergent drawer clean ensures that the product flows out as intended during the proper portion of the wash cycle. For front-loading machines, keeping the gasket dry prevents stinky mold and mildew from forming in the super-tight seals.
Photo by Shutterstock.
Clothes Dryer
Average lifespan: 13 years
What to do: Clean the lint filter before or after every load—no excuses. If you have flexible plastic or foil ducting, replace it with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct (or hire a firm to do it for you; prices start at around $100). To do it yourself, unplug the power cord and pull the dryer away from the wall. Loosen clamps around both ends of the duct to completely remove and replace. Once a year, clean the inside of the duct by following the safety measures described above and only disconnecting the end attached to the dryer. Vacuum the inside of the duct or use a dryer vent cleaning kit ($37; Lowes.com) to remove lint buildup. If your duct is too long to clean yourself, a professional can do it for $200 to $300. Regularly check the vent outside where the air exits the house to ensure it’s not clogged and that good, strong airflow is coming out.
Why: “Reduced airflow from lint buildup in the filter reduces efficiency and makes clothes take longer to dry,” says Staats. More important, it can also cause the dryer to overheat or catch fire. Same deal with ductwork: Flexible plastic or foil ducting crushes easily behind dryers, causing obstructions in airflow. Even worse, it catches lint on the internal ridges, which can also cause fires.
Photo by iStockphoto.
Vacuum Cleaner
Average lifespan: Varies based on model
What to do: Change vacuum bags once a month (more frequently if you have pets or new carpet). Clean or replace filters every 6 months. Refer to your owner’s manual to find out where the filter is located—it’s usually near the bag or behind an access door—and how to clean it (some can be rinsed clean; others can’t). Clean HEPA filters every eight weeks. Replace belts annually or when the brush roll makes a vibrating noise. You’ll also need to check the manual for detailed instructions on changing the belt, as every vacuum is a bit different.
Why: “A vacuum cleaner works by moving air through the machine to capture dirt,” says Jackie Cooper, senior director of marketing and communications for Eureka. “When airflow is restricted by a full bag or clogged filter, performance suffers and less dirt is captured.” Additionally, belts that are too loose make the brush roll turn too slowly, while too-tight belts cause excessive wear on the motor.
Photo by Shutterstock.
Garbage Disposal
Average lifespan: 12 years
What to do: Grind up lemon or orange peels periodically to reduce odors, or try a disposal cleaning product. Toss in and grind up a few ice cubes periodically. And always use cold water when running the disposal and for a minute or two afterward.
Why: Tiny food particles cling to the inside of the disposal, so while orange peels won’t make the unit last longer, it will make your kitchen a lot less smelly. Ice cubes help clear buildup, and the cold water keeps fat and grease chunky, so it gets ground up and washed away.
Photo by Shutterstock.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
by Woman’s Day, on Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:36pm PDT
Filed under: General, Home Maintenance, Home Repairs, NARPM, Property Management, rentals, Spring Cleaning Checklist | Tags: Home Maintenance, NARPM, Portland OR, Property Management
Do those first warm days of spring get you itching to sweep out the winter’s cobwebs? Or do they elicit a groan as you survey the dirty lawn furniture and stuffed garage? Here’s a quick checklist of some recommended home maintenance and cleaning tasks.
Indoor cleaning projects
□ Wash windows and repair screens.
□ Vacuum dusty drapes and window treatments; send dirtier drapes to the cleaner.
□ Defrost the freezer and dust refrigerator coils.
□ Remove grime and grease buildup on kitchen exhaust fan.
□ Clean attic and basement, giving away or discarding unwanted items and clothing.
□ Shampoo carpets and rugs.
□ Steam clean upholstery.
□ Dust corners and ceilings.
□ Wash baseboards, doorjambs, windowsills, doors and walls.
□ Wipe ceiling fans.
□ Clean oven.
□ Wipe refrigerator clean.
□ Clean out office files.
Indoor maintenance items
□ Check attic fan.
□ Inspect caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks; replace if deteriorating.
□ Reseal grout on tile floors
□ Test ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. A GFCI outlet has a “Test” and “Reset” button. Pressing the “Test” button will trip the outlet and break the circuit. Pressing the “Reset” will restore the circuit. If pressing the test button does not work, then replace the GFCI outlet. If the outlet does not pop when you press the “Test” button, but the outlet still has power, the outlet is miswired and it should be fixed immediately,
□ Tighten garbage disposal drain, connections and fastners.
□ Change furnace filters.
□ Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
□ Lubricate door hinges and hardware.
□ Update first-aid and emergency kits.
□ Replace leaky faucet washers.
□ Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lightning.
Outdoor cleaning tasks
□ Clean and de-clutter your garage and shed
□ Wash outdoor furniture.
□ Clean your grill and check for dead insects clogging the gas line.
□ Pressure-wash decks.
□ Pressure-wash siding.
□ Scrub porch ceilings and walls.
□ Clean umbrellas and awnings.
□ Clean light-fixture covers.
Outdoor maintenance must-dos
□ Inspect and repair or replace damaged roof shingles. Check around vents, skylights and chimneys for water leaks.
□ Inspect and reseal roof flashing if necessary.
□ Pressure-wash driveway and walkway.
□ Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts.
□ If you have a chimney, have it inspected and, if necessary, cleaned.
□ Check the oil and air filter on your lawn mower. If it runs poorly, take it in for a tune-up and have the blade sharpened.
□ Trim branches and shrubs that touch your home. They provide a pathway for bugs or excess moisture to enter your home.
□ Inspect the exterior surfaces of your home. Touch up any areas that need paint.
□ Check ironwork for rust spots.
□ Reseal deck.
□ Seal drafty doors and windows.
Information provided by: The Costco Connection February 2010
