Residents are permitted to make minor repairs for which their skills and abilities are suited. Residents assume the risk of and shall be liable for any and all damages resulting from self repair, and are encouraged to contact the management company in writing prior to undertaking same. Residents are not authorized to attempt or make any repairs to the electrical system or wiring (other than resetting a breaker), as any such work must be performed by a licensed electrician.
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First, the simple things you may have overlooked. Have you tried replacing the light bulb? Is the item plugged in? Does the outlet it is plugged into work from a wall switch?
Next, have you contacted your electricity supplier, PG & E? There may be a fault in the street. PG & E’s phone number is 800 743 5000.
Have you checked the breaker box to see if a breaker has been tripped? If you are not sure how to do this, take a look at the video below. If you reset a tripped breaker and it trips again, unplug all appliances from power points. Reset breaker and plug in appliances one at a time until the breaker trips, indicating that the faulty appliance has been located.
If no circuit breakers were tripped and you still do not have power at an outlet, the circuit is probably on a GFCI.
HTML clipboardHave you checked that the power isolation switch is turned on? Typically this can be found on the kitchen splashback wall. Have you set the clock on the display? Some ovens will not work unless the clock has been set.
HTML clipboardGas - Have you checked the connections to make sure they are not loose or dirty? Sometimes pulling the element out and cleaning can fix the problem. Electric - Check if power is connected or check power box for tripped switch.
Is it turned on at the switch under the sink? Have you attempted to push the reset button? This button is located under the unit and is usually colored red.
HTML clipboardIs the power on? Have you checked that you have not overloaded? Have you checked the red reset button? Have you checked the lint filter is clean? This should be done after each use.
Smoke detectors have 2 alarms that mean different things.
A) Beep/chirp approximately 2-3 times every 5 minutes most of the time means the battery needs changed. If that doesn't fix it, it may have lost power to the unit or have a loose connection. If you unplug the detector from the ceiling/wall, it will probably continue making noise because there is a back-up battery in most of them. If you take the battery out it still has enough power stored internally to beep 4-5 more times.
B) Beeping/chirping non-stop means there is smoke/fire or it's a false alarm.
See below for false alarms.
1. Most false alarms (chirping non-stop) are caused by dust in the sensor area of the detector. - Fixed by blowing out with compressed air or vacuum.
2. Some smoke detectors have an expiration (10yrs for example & usually labeled on back of unit) and after that time period they start having false alarms. - Fixed by replacing expired detectors.
3. Very rarely, false alarms are caused by drastic temp/weather changes, like attic being 120 degrees and house at 75. - Fixed by pushing the silence button (if it has one) and after a short time it will reset and hopefully not falsely go off again.
4. Very rarely, false alarms are caused by air blowing directly on the detector (open window, ceiling fan blowing upward instead of downward, etc.). - Fixed by re-directing air movement away from detector.
5. Very rarely, false alarms are caused by a defective detector. - Fixed by replacing detector.
If your toilet is plugged it will act in one of these two ways. The water will not go down at all and will overflow onto the floor when flushed. Or it will rise to the top of the bowl and swirl down slowly after a flush, often taking two or three flushes to get rid of solids and paper. The toilet almost always plugs in one of two places as noted by 'A'. Either some foreign object cannot make the bend at the top of the trap and becomes lodged there or it will make it around but won't go through the hole at the bottom of the toilet to the drain.
Most people think a plunger is a simple tool and they know how to use one. Most people don't! To properly plunge a toilet you must bring the water level to near the top of the bowl ('B') to get the hydraulic forces of the water working in your favor. This will cause there to be nothing but water between your plunger and the clog. No air that can compress causing there to be less pressure exerted on the plug. To get the water to this level if the bowl is plugged completely, remove the tank lid and lift the flapper by hand while watching the level in the bowl. When the water comes near the top, start plunging. Plunge back and forth as hard and as fast as you can for about six or eight repititions. If your feet get wet, you are plunging hard enough! The first few plunges will get rid of the remaining air and the next few should do the trick. It should all be over in five or six seconds. Lift the plunger and test flush making sure you have the tank lid off so you can manually push the flapper shut in case it is not unplugged and the water flows over the top. Repeat if necessary.
If the toilet remains blocked after a darn good plunging it needs to be augered.
Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.
Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.
Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.
Inspect utilities.
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes
