When your refrigerator is not working as intended, read on for some first steps to resolve the issue on your own.

Not properly working refrigerator are always worrisome as one weeks worth of groceries can go bad in no time. But here are some simple troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue without potentially having to schedule for a service call:

1. Unplug the refrigerator to reset it. While it’s unplugged, use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment to clean the condenser cover and vents. Do not remove the panel covering the condenser coil area. Please note: Condenser coils must be cleaned at least every 6 months for better performance.

2. Plug the unit back in. Set the refrigerator down to 33F and the freezer to -6F to maximize cooling. Note: If you can’t unplug the unit, turn off the breaker for 60 seconds to reset the refrigerator.

3. Make sure there are no items blocking the air vents located in the back of the unit to properly circulate. the air. Do not overfill the unit.

4. Make sure the unit is not against any wall; there should be clearance around it of at least one inch at the sides, and two inches at the back.

5. Pull the freezer door all the way out and close it firmly three times in a row to realign the guide rails.

6. Minimize the door opening.

7. Wait for 24 hours to fully stabilize the temperature. Once the unit stabilizes the temperature, you can set the default temperature settings (the refrigerator to 37F and the freezer to 0F).

While our dishwashers make our lives easier as they work their magic on making grease and grime disappear from our dishes, we have to do our part to maintain the magic.

This includes cleaning the dishwasher air gap and filter.  Both of these should be done on a regular basis, however, one of the tell tale signs that something needs attention is: 

• If your dishwasher begins to smell funky
• If your dishes come out feeling gritty or have bits of food stuck on them after a wash cycle
• Water is backing up into your sink from the air gap
• Water is not draining out of the dishwasher

What is an air gap and how do I clean it?

The air gap is a cylinder fitting that connects the kitchen sink drain to your dishwasher, preventing dirty water from flowing into the dishwasher as well as out of it during a wash cycle. You can easily clean it by removing the cap and cleaning the inside of the air gap. 

See this instructional video for more info.

What is a dishwasher filter and how do I clean it?

The filter prevents food from redepositing debris on clean dishes and clogging the drain. Dishwashers use a variety of filter designs. Some have a simple screen, some have removable filters below the screen, and some require removing the bottom spray arm for a thorough cleaning. 

You can check the appliance manual for instructions on how yours should be cleaned or you can look up video tutorials online. 

A primera vista, muchas personas asumen que el seguro para inquilinos es solo para proteger su propiedad personal. ¿Pero, sabía que el seguro para inquilinos en realidad ofrece tres tipos de cobertura? 1. Cobertura de propiedad o pertenencias personales: esto incluye artículos como muebles, ropa, productos electrónicos, electrodomésticos y juego de cama, por nombrar algunos. Sin embargo, hay ciertas cosas personales…

A primera vista, muchas personas asumen que el seguro para inquilinos es solo para proteger su propiedad personal. Pero ¿sabía que el seguro para inquilinos en realidad ofrece tres tipos de cobertura?

1. Cobertura de muebles o pertenencias personales:

Esto incluye artículos como muebles, ropa, productos electrónicos, electrodomésticos y hasta incluso el juego de cama, esto es solo mencionando algunas cosas. Sin embargo, hay ciertas pertenencias personales que pueden no estar cubiertas si superan cierto valor. Para artículos tales como joyas, obras de arte y coleccionables, generalmente se debe agregar a su póliza para obtener cobertura adicional.

2. Cobertura de responsabilidad civil del arrendatario o responsabilidad civil personal:

Digamos que está organizando una cena, uno de sus invitados se resbala y cae en la cocina, lo culpan a usted y luego lo demandan. La cobertura de responsabilidad civil general puede cubrir los costos judiciales y los honorarios de abogados que, de otro modo, su seguro de inquilinos no cubriria. Piénselo de esta manera: ¡la cobertura de propiedad personal cubre sus pertenencias, el seguro de responsabilidad personal lo cubre a usted!

3. Cobertura de gastos de manutención adicionales:

Esta cobertura puede proporcionar un reembolso al titular de la póliza si un desastre cubierto resulta en una reubicación temporal de la propiedad. Los ejemplos de reembolso pueden incluir alojamiento, comida y otros gastos de manutención. Si bien las pólizas pueden variar, los desastres cubiertos a menudo incluyen humo, incendios, explosiones, robo, vandalismo, tormentas de viento, rayos y daños por agua de una fuente interna.

4. Pólizas/cobertura de seguro contra inundaciones:

En términos generales, el seguro de inquilino no cubre los daños a sus pertenencias en caso de inundación (esto también se aplica a los desbordamientos de aguas residuales que ingresan a la casa). Si vive en una zona de inundaciones, le recomendamos que revise la cobertura contra inundaciones con su agente de seguros como parte de su seguro de inquilinos. Si no esta seguro de si vive o no en una zona de inundaciones, consulte su contrato de arrendamiento o consulte el mapa de inundaciones de FEMA.

Pensamientos finales:

Es fácil caer en la mentalidad de “pero eso no me pasaría a mí”, y lo más probable es que no sea así. Sin embargo, siempre es mejor prevenir que lamentar, especialmente en un evento que esta fuera de su control.

¿Qué esta bajo su control?

Comprueba periódicamente si hay fugas debajo del lavabo, en la base de los inodoros y en cualquier otro lugar donde el agua pueda acumularse fácilmente. ¡Es absolutamente crucial que cualquier fuga o daño causado por el agua se informe al administrador de la propiedad TAN PRONTO COMO SE ANOTE! El no hacerlo o la negligencia en el asunto puede causar daños irreversibles a la propiedad que pasan a ser responsabilidad del arrendatario. Si estas cosas se detectan de inmediato, se pueden evitar más daños. ¡En caso de dudas, llame y pregunte tan pronto como lo note!

Como se habrá dado cuenta, puede haber muchas áreas grises cuando se trata de lo que puede o no estar cubierto según la compañía con la que elija comprar una póliza y las pólizas en sí. Siempre es una buena idea revisar sus opciones con su corredor de seguros para asegurarse de obtener la cobertura que desea.

Finalmente, si aun no lo ha hecho, pídale a su agente que incluya a Distinct Property Management como uno de los titulares de su certificado para que podamos estar seguros de tener su póliza archivada.

Descargo de responsabilidad: Distinct Property Management no es un agente de seguros y no puede aconsejarle qué cobertura es adecuada para usted. Por favor consulte a su agente de seguros.

City of Santa Cruz Residential Curbside Food Scrap Collection Program

Did you know that 40% of food in the US is wasted and the average American household throws out 25% of the food they purchase?

Santa Cruz County is making it a priority to reduce this waste and is expanding the Commercial Food Scrap Collection program. The City has begun Curbside Food Waste Collection from Single Family and Multi Family Residences by supplying residents with a new food scrap bin.

Here are some tips for collecting food scraps from your home:

• Keep food scraps indoors in a cool place.
• If you have room, try freezing or refrigerating food scraps until disposal.
• Wait until the night before or the morning of your service day to place food scraps in your cart.
• Clean your food scraps container regularly.

Food Scraps YES

• fruits
• vegetables
• dairy products
• grains
• bread
• coffee grounds
• eggshells
• cooked meats and bones

Food Scraps NO

• plastics
• raw meats
• glass
• metals
• compostable and non-compostable utensils
• condiment packets
• grease
• liquids
• coffee pods
• tea bags
• plastic wrap
• plastic bags
• foil

Once you’ve collected your food scraps, your 6 gallon bin can be left out with your organics and recycling bins for weekly pick up.

Please click here to watch a brief information video. 

We at Distinct Property Management run into maintenance requests about clogged kitchen sinks at least once a week and in 99.9% of the cases the cause was a build up of grease, which has turned into black thick goo. Grease is a normal substance found in the kitchen, and comes from cooking processes and food such as meat and dairy. It is a common misconception that pouring grease down the drain is okay if you run hot water and pour dish soap after it. In reality, grease should never go down the drain. Even if it’s hot and easy to pour out of the pan, it will eventually cool and solidify somewhere in your plumbing. This causes a gummy, goopy mess to form along the pipe walls, trapping other debris that flows down the drain. Over time, the resulting clogs could bring your drains to a standstill.

Even if the grease makes it past your home’s plumbing system, it continues to wreak havoc in the municipal sewer system. Some cities spend millions of dollars a year addressing damaged sewer systems and clearing out masses of solid waste—obstacles the industry calls “fatbergs,” which are named for the cooking oil and grease that hold the obstructions together. By never pouring grease down the drain, you can help prevent clogs and other plumbing problems further down the line.

Thankfully, there are measures you can take to avoid this common clog.

1. Don’t send fatty, greasy, or oily foods down the sink

It may seem like an easy cleanup option, but pouring any greasy, oily, or fatty food substances down the sink is the beginning of a grease clog. This includes salad dressing, coconut oil, peanut butter, butter, lard, mayonnaise, cosmetic oils and petroleum jelly.  Remove excess grease and food scraps from cookware and dishes before washing by wiping them out with a paper towel. Also, any dishes which have a bigger grease buildup should be soaked with a grease-dissolving cleaner before the washing process.

2. Hot water and grease cutting soap

Some fatty, oily, and greasy substances will find their way into your kitchen drain regardless of how carefully you wash up. To help avoid grease clogs, intermittently run lots of hot water and grease cutting soap down the drain. Use this method frequently to breakdown any accumulating grease.

3. Hot water and vinegar

You may prefer to avoid chemicals found in soaps and cleaners. There are natural products that have been found to effectively fight grease buildup in kitchen sinks. We suggest trying a 1:1 ratio of hot water and vinegar. Sending boiling water down the drain helps melt the clog, while the vinegar eats away at debris attached to the wall of the pipe. Finish the process by sending more boiling water down the drain to clear any remaining grease.

At first glance, many people assume renters insurance is only to protect their personal property. But did you know that renters insurance actually provides three types of coverage?

1. Personal Property or Personal Belongings Coverage:

This includes items such as furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, and bedding to name a few.  However, there are certain personal belongings that may not be covered if they are above a certain value.  For items such as jewelry, artwork, and collectibles, one must usually add-on to their policy for additional coverage. 

2. Renters Liability or Personal Liability Coverage: 

Let’s say you are having a dinner party, one of your guests slips and falls in the kitchen putting you at fault and then sues you. General liability coverage may cover court costs and attorney fees that your renters insurance otherwise wouldn’t. Think of it this way: personal property coverage covers your belongings, personal liability insurance covers you!

3. Additional Living Expenses Coverage:

This coverage can provide the policy holder with reimbursement if a covered disaster results in temporary relocation from the property.  Examples of reimbursement may include lodging, food, and other living expenses.  While the policies may vary, covered disasters often include smoke, fire, explosions, theft, vandalism, windstorms, lightning, and water damage from an internal source.  

4. Flood Insurance Policies/Coverage: 

Generally speaking, renter’s insurance does not cover damage to your belongings in the event of a flood (this also applied to sewage overflows that enters the home). If you live in a flood zone, we highly recommend you review flood coverage with your insurance agent as part of your renters insurance. If you are unsure about whether or not you live in a flood zone, please refer to your lease agreement or check the FEMA flood map.

Final Thoughts: 

It’s easy to fall into the mindset of “but that wouldn’t happen to me”, and chances are, it might not.  However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially in an event that is out of your control.

What is in your control?

Regularly checking for leaks under you sink, at the base of your toilets and anywhere else where water can easily pool.  It is absolutely crucial that any leaks or water damage is reported to your property manager AS SOON AS THEY ARE NOTICED!  Failure to do so or negligence of the issue can cause irreversible damage the property that becomes the tenant’s responsibility.  If these things are caught right away, further damage can be avoided.  When in doubt, call and ask as soon as you notice!

As you may have gathered, there can be a lot of gray areas when it comes to what may or may not be covered depending on the company you choose to buy a policy with, and the policies themselves.  It is always a good idea to review your options with your insurance broker to make sure you’re getting the coverage you desire. 

Finally, if you haven’t done so already, please have your agent include Distinct Property Management as one of your certificate holders so we can be sure to have your policy on file. 

Disclaimer: Distinct Property Management is not an insurance agent and can not advise what coverage is appropriate for you. Please consult your insurance agent.

Do you know why regular cleaning of dryer vents is so important?

As a tenant, you understand the importance of checking your smoke detectors, changing your air filters and keeping up with other preventative maintenance in your home. But how much time do you spend cleaning your dryer vent? If you’re like the average resident, the answer is probably, “not much.”

Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Data Center, nearly 15,000 structural fires occur each year as a result of an issue with a clothes dryer, and clogged, dirty dryer vents cause 80% of the fires.

Warning signs that it’s time to clean your vent

• • Clothes are taking much longer than normal to dry. It will often take two or three cycles to dry them.
  • Clothes have a strange, burning smell to them. This could be a sign that your dryer vent isn’t properly able to ventilate the warm air out of the appliance.
  • The laundry room feels excessively hot when the dryer is running. Again, this could be a result of a clogged vent that isn’t letting hot air escape.

  Problems caused by a clogged dryer vent

  • • Fires. The lint from your clothes can build up inside the dryer vent. This material is highly flammable and can cause a fire.
    • Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. When the dryer vent is clogged, dangerous CO gases aren’t able to escape. Instead, they build up inside the vent and may seep out into the laundry room and into other areas of the home.
    • Wear and tear on the dryer. When it takes two or three cycles to get your clothes dried, this puts a lot of strain on your dryer. It can lead to excessive wear and tear on the unit.
    • Skyrocketing utility bills. Keeping the lint trap and vent cleared allows the heated air to move through the dryer efficiently, but a clogged vent or dirty lint filter could force the machine to use as much as 30% more energy. A dryer that is running more often than it should to dry clothes will use a lot of energy. This will be reflected on your monthly utility bills. Think about it: if your machine takes twice as long to dry clothes, you’re using twice as much energy. That also results in a shorter lifespan for your dryer.
    • Don’t let mold fester in your vents. Dryer vents are responsible for blowing any moisture from the dryer outside, but if it’s clogged, moisture can collect, turning into wet spots or even puddles. Lint that soaks up any humidity will get moldy. Wet lint sticks and compacts, making any existing clogs far more difficult to clear.

    Dryer maintenance tasks can be handled by the average resident. Be sure to clean the lint out of the lint trap between each drying cycle. Regularly clean the dryer’s vent cap on the exterior of your home. Ideally, you want to clean your dryer vents at least once a year; and it doesn’t hurt to have an HVAC specialist do it for you. They can better ensure the vent is completely free of blockage and that your dryer is running optimally. Regular cleaning and maintenance reduce wear, which can help you avoid unnecessary repairs in the long term and more importantly reduce the risks of fires.

     

     

These little fellas still don’t belong into the toilet

Please remember the following when using paper towels and disinfecting wipes. This could save you money in plumbing repairs and an after-hours nightmare. Please read on here.

As Americans stockpile disinfecting wipes and paper towels to clean their homes more often to reduce the risk of coronavirus, California’s state water regulators on Tuesday urged them to keep one thing in mind: Don’t flush them down the toilet.

Wipes and paper towels do not break down like toilet paper does in water. They are stronger, and many wipes include plastics and materials like nylon. That means bad news for sewer systems. 

“Flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” the California’s State Water Resources Control Board said. “Even wipes labeled “flushable” will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment.”

Distinct Property Management’s Green Living Tips

As a homeowner or renter in Santa Cruz there are many little steps you can take to live a more “green” life and conserve natural resources. Please see the useful tips below.

Save Energy

• • • • Switch interior lights to LEDs.  They’re inexpensive (oftentimes under $3 a bulb), last much longer than other bulb types and save energy compared with inefficient incandescent and somewhat-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
      • Lower your thermostat. You should set it at 68 max in the winter. Instead of gas/electric heat, throw on another layer – it’s good for you (cooler temperatures help you keep off extra pounds), your wallet and the environment.
      • Wash laundry with cold water. It saves energy, prevents some stains from becoming permanent and makes your clothes last longer (warm water removes more of the color from your clothing). Learn more from Gizmodo.
      • Switch off electronics.Get in a habit of switching off your computer, sleep/hibernate/shutdown your laptop, turn off your TV, when not in use and unplugging lights/small appliances when not actively using.
      • Check weather stripping. Make sure cold air isn’t getting through around your doors and windows. 

Save Water

• • • • Use the shortest cycle for washing clothes.
      • Report all leaks immediately. 
      • Curious if your toilet has a hidden leak? Drop a few drops of food dye into your toilet tank, wait 30 – 60 minutes and see if there is any color in the bowl.
      • Take short (<5 minute if possible) showers. This saves water AND energy.
      • Turn off the tap. Gallons of water will be wasted each time you brush your teeth or shave if the tap is on.
      • Boil less water. Boil only the amount of water you need for tea/coffee, this saves energy too!

Shop Local, In Season, and Organic

• • • • Choose local, seasonal produce. The produce doesn’t have to travel as far and is usually more flavorful and nutrient dense. 
      • Reduce meat intake. If everyone didn’t eat meat a day a week it would have a huge impact on global warming. As an example, it takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.
      • Avoid wasteful packaging. Many types of food packaging is not recyclable – buy in bulk, return strawberry baskets and produce clam shells, bring your own bags to the farmer’s market, etc.! If eating out, pack your own food containers to take any leftovers with you!
      • Avoid single-use products. Most plastic items have a “usable life” of 15 minutes but can take more than 500 years to break down. Use reusable products such as bamboo/metal straws, wooden/metal cutlery, cotton rounds, cotton ear buds, mesh produce bags, reusable coffee cups or beeswax wrap.
      • Buy USDA Organic. When feasible, buying USDA Organic certified products means rigorous, verified standards that reduce farm worker exposure, environmental damage, and possible health effective from synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are being followed.
      • Drink tap water. Santa Cruz has great water – use a basic filter (faucet mounted/pitcher style) to remove chlorine for taste – fill up your reusable water bottle and take it with you and utilize many of the free water fill up stations, or ask for refills while out at any restaurant or coffee shop.
      • Buy used. Thrift stores, Habitat for Humanity Restore, yard sales = cheaper prices and less waste in our landfill.

Reduce Pollution and Toxics

• • • • Homemade cleaning supplies. Vinegar, lemon, soap flakes, baking soda, Bon Ami, and many other common household items are effective for cleaning lots of types of surfaces. EXAMPLE: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. Find more solutions here.
      • Buy recycled paper. Toilet paper, paper towels, and printer paper all come in 50-100% recycled variants. Use them!
      • Recycle batteries by dropping them off at Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Best Buy, some hardware stores, etc.
      • Avoid toxic pesticides! Use traps, barriers and cleaning to prevent/eliminate pests.
      • End junk mail! Remove yourself from junk mail lists by using www.catalogchoice.org

If you’d like to learn more about reusable and more environmentally friendly products you can easily swap out in your day to day life – read more in this article.

*Adapted from LifeHacker’s 20 Green Tips and Aussie.com Life Hacks for Sustainable Living    

As we move into the winter season there are a few things you can do to help prepare yourself and your home for all the surprises that winter weather and can bring. Being mindful of these things and familiarizing yourself with your home before an emergency, power outage or weather related concern arises can both help prevent issues and make you better prepared should anything happen.

• • Locate the electrical panel to your home and familiarize yourself with how to reset the breakers. Here is a helpful video to walk you through the process.
  • Locate the water and gas lines and shut off valves to your home.
  • Check that all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly, replace any batteries if needed.
  • Make sure dryer vents are being cleaned regularly, here are three vendors you may call to have this done who we have worked with in the past:
    • Daniel’s Cleaning Services: (831) 233-1333
    • Affordable Heating: (831) 477-9276
  • If you have a garage, familiarize yourself with how to open your garage when there is no power with the use of the quick release to disengage the opener
  • Clean or replace the filters to your heater, and clean the air ducts to avoid dust spreading when you turn it on if it has been off during the warmer season.
  • Test your heater, turn it on and make sure the air being blown out is warm, if you turn it on but the air is not warm, this may mean that the pilot light is out – you can call PG&E at 1.877.660.6789 and they will relight it. Please keep in mind if your heater stops working on a weekend we will likely not be able to get a vendor out until the following Monday. Additionally, having a space heater handy can help bridge the gap between when your heater goes out to a service appointment.
  • If heavy rain is forecasted, please evaluate if you will be needing sandbags to keep water flow away from garages and doorways

As many California residents have experienced throughout this Fall season, there are times when PG&E may cut electrical and/or gas services to their customers. With the current state of much of their equipment and new laws in place this is something to always be prepared for. You can be better prepared for a power outage by keeping extra water for all the members of your household as well as any pets on hand, and keeping a stock of extra batteries, lanterns and non-perishable food items like canned soups and vegetables, dry pasta, etc. 

Thank you for your attention to this letter, and we hope you have a happy and safe Winter this year!