Overview

It is our goal to keep all of our properties well-maintained and to resolve maintenance requests as quickly as possible.  Normally we strive to complete maintenance requests within 2-3 business days, however at certain times of the year (mainly during August or after a snowstorm) there are often more requests than the facilities staff can complete as quickly as they would like to.  We use the following methods to manage maintenance issues.

1. Prioritize non-emergency maintenance requests daily
2. Complete full maintenance sweeps of each property 2-3 times each year

How requests work:

1. A maintenance request may be submitted online , emailed to maintenance@haverkamp-properties.com or called in to 515-232-7575. For after-hours emergencies call 515-232-7575 and then follow the voice message prompts.
2. Each weekday morning our facilities staff reviews all of the requests and prioritizes them.  For example, water leaks, air conditioning/heating problems take priority over a clogged garbage disposal.
3. Non-emergency requests are scheduled based on the area of town.
4. Emergency requests are given priority, regardless of the area of town, and be remedies as soon as possible.

Examples of emergency requests are:

• Water coming through the ceiling
• Flooding
• No Heat (in winter) or No Air Conditioning (in summer)

Examples of non-emergency requests are:

• Slow drains
• Garbage disposal
• Clogged toilet (if the apartment has more than one)

 

Maintenance Sweeps

Two to three times each year notice is given for a full maintenance sweep.  Residents are asked to indicate items of concern for the facilities staff members to look at.  Our staff will also check through their own maintenance check list for regular preventive maintenance issues such as caulking etc.  This is a good opportunity to take care of some of the less urgent items that might not generate a typical call to our maintenance department.

 

Reminders:

No Trash Allowed in Common Areas or on Decks/Patios

Dumpsters are located at each property so residents may conveniently dispose of trash at any time.  Please remember that trash is not to be left for any period of time in the common hallways, stairwells, outside areas or on apartment patios/decks.  There is a $25 fee per violation of this lease rule.

Maintenance 101 Tips & Information

Problem: Toilet plugged or is not flushing right

Possible Solution:

1. Residents should attempt to plunge the toilet. Black rubber plungers are the best kind of plunger to use and is the most effective. (Items that tend to plug toilets to avoid: Q-tips, paper towels, Kleenex tissue, excessive toilet paper, feminine products, fish tank rocks, cat litter, etc.)

Problem: Toilet seems to run all the time or every once in a while

Possible Solutions:

1. The flapper chain has become bunched up on itself and does not permit the flapper to seal in the toilet tank.
2. The flapper is not sealing on the tank drain opening (usually requires replacement or repairs).
3. The water in the toilet is level with the overflow and requires the toilet float to be adjusted down. The water level should be indicated on the overflow tube, or about an inch below.
4. Toilet float supply valve is not functioning properly (usually requires replacement).

Problem: Clogged Bathtub Drain

Possible Solution:

1. Their may be a hair clog trapped in the strainer of the drain and restricting water flow. To fix, remove handle part of tub stopper, which unscrews. This does not remove tub stopper. After removing handle, a pair of pliers or screw driver may be used to unscrew tub stopper, which gives access to tub strainer, which makes and "X" in the tub drain. Remove hair from drain or foreign object.

Problem: Disposal Does Not Work

Possible Solution:

1. The disposal has a safety switch that may have tripped and needs to be reset. On the bottom of the disposal there is a red button, which can be pushed to reset the disposal. There still may be an obstruction in the disposal. Look inside of disposal and try and remove visible items. If disposal will run after reset button has been pushed, run ice through disposal and this will force any food items through the disposal. Plenty of water must be used when putting food in disposals and when using ice method.

Problem: Disposal Runs But Sounds Rough

Possible Solution:

1. There is a foreign object in the disposal that must be removed. Objects may include but are not limited to the following: Pop/Beer tabs, bottle tops, coins, dish rags, silverware, bones, etc. Try to remove any items visible in disposal and use extreme caution. A method of cleaning out disposal and keeping disposal odors down is to run ice cubes through disposal on a weekly basis.

Problem: Disposal Hums When Switch is Turned On

Possible Solution:

1. There is a foreign object in the disposal that must be removed. Objects may include but are not limited to the following: Pop/Beer tabs, bottle tops, coins, dish rags, silverware, bones, etc. Try to remove any items visible in disposal and use extreme caution.
2. If an object is found, try disposal again and if disposal does not work, maintenance must be contacted to service the disposal.

Problem: Dishwasher is Dripping Suds Onto Floor

Possible Solution:

1. Wrong detergent has been used in dishwasher or too much soap has been used. Regular concentrated dish soap cannot be used in dishwashers.

Problem: Dishwasher Has Standing Water and Won't Drain

Possible Solution:

1. Garbage disposal is plugged and must be cleared for dishwasher to drain into disposal.

Problem: Washing Machine is Spilling Water Onto Floor

Possible Solution:

1. Washing machine has been overloaded and has overflowed tank.
2. Washing machine load is off balance and water spills over side when water moves from side to side in the tank.

Problem: Water is Leaking Under Bathroom/Kitchen Sink

Possible Solution:

1. Drain pipes have become lose and are not sealing. Tighten with hands as much as possible.
2. If leak persists, call maintenance immediately

Problem: Water Coming From Underneath Fridge

Possible Solution:

1. Roll fridge out away from wall and make sure water supply line for ice maker (if applicable) is not leaking. If leaking, call maintenance immediately.
2. If water is found in bottom of fridge underneath crisper drawers, the freezer defrost drain line has become frozen due to overloading of freezer or fridge/freezer setting turned too cold.

NOTE: Fridge/freezer setting should be left on setting "3" to avoid freezing defrost drain line. If this problem persists, food will spoil. Call maintenance immediately.

Problem: Lights and Outlets Don't Work in Kitchen

Possible Solution:

1. Check breaker panel to make sure breakers have not been tripped. A breaker tripped will be indicated by an orange strip shown in the little glass panel next to the breaker and the tripped breaker will be offset from the rest of the breakers. To reset, turn breaker to off setting and then push breaker back to on. If breaker trips again, the kitchen is overloaded or it may be a faulty breaker and may need to be replaced.
2. In the kitchen, there are GFI outlets that are located above the counter. A GFI outlet will possibly run up to two or three outlets in the kitchen. If tripped, the others will not work. To reset, push reset button found on the front of the outlet.

NOTE: some GFI's run lights as well as the outlets.

Problem: Lights and Outlets Don't Work in Bathroom/Bedroom

Possible Solution:

1. Check breaker panel to make sure breakers have not been tripped. A breaker tripped will be indicated by an orange strip shown in the little glass panel next to the breaker and the tripped push breaker back to on. If breaker trips again, the bedroom is overlooked or it may be a faulty breaker and may need to be replaced.
2. In the bathroom, there are GFI outlets that are located next to the sink. A GFI outlet will possibly run more than one outlet in the bathroom. If tripped, the others will not work. To reset, push reset button found on the front of the outlet.

Problem: A/C is Not Working or Cooling Properly

Possible Solution:

1. Check breaker panel to make sure breakers have not been tripped. A breaker tripped will be indicated by an orange strip shown in the little glass panel next to the breaker and the tripped breaker will be offset from the rest of the breakers. To reset, turn breaker to off setting and then push breaker back to on. If breaker trips again, the bedroom is overlooked or it may be a faulty breaker and may need to be replaced.
2. Check air filter to make sure it is not blocked with dust. If filter is extremely dirty, the A/C cannot function properly. Remove filter and call maintenance for filter replacement.
3. Filter grate is being blocked by furniture and cannot extract warm air from room. This will also cause the blower fan motor to burn out and resident could be responsible for damages.

NOTE: During the summer months when outside air temperatures can reach close to 100 degrees, the air conditioner will run all day to keep up with the hot weather. This means that the A/C is working most efficiently when it runs constantly.

Problem: Bugs and Other Insects are Being Found

Possible Solution:

1. Residents are required to attempt to take care of insect problems or rodent problems on their own. For 99.9% of all insect problems, use Ortho Home Defense bug killer. Spray every access point in residence to prevent insects from entering and it will also kill any existing problems. Home Defense is safe for indoor use.

Problem: My Window is Not Sealing Properly

Possible Solution:

1. Most of our windows have an interlocking design when closed and to assure they are sealed, special attention must be noted at the lock latches on the window. If the latches do not line up when the window is closed, the window has not been shut properly. To close, push in slightly on the latch side of the window when shutting and this will assure that the window seals properly. If problem is not corrected, call maintenance.

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Resident's are not responsible for water leaks. However, if a leak is present in an apartment/townhouse and is not reported to Haverkamp Properties immediately, negligence is present and resident maybe responsible for any preventable damage.
2. Haverkamp Properties may be contacted in three ways:
   
   • Call our office at 515-232-7575
   • E-mail us at maintenance@haverkamp-properties.com
   • Submit a request online request by using this link or by going to the Haverkamp Properties web site (www.haverkamp-properties.com) under "Now that you're home".
3. It is very important to provide your full name, a valid contact number, building number, and the apartment in which you live when submitting a maintenance request, whether it be by e-mail or via phone. If any of the listed information is not provided, it may take longer to respond to your maintenance request.
4. Any damages to your apartment must be reported immediately to Haverkamp Properties. Examples include holes in doors, drywall, or any apartment property that will need repaired or replaced. These items must be repaired or replaced by the end of all leases and failure to report such items may result in significant charges, which resident(s) will be responsible for.
5. If damage or vandalism is being committed against any property owned by Haverkamp Properties, please report vandalism immediately. A monetary reward will be given for any individual caught or reported.