Wallpaper Repairs Made Easy

Wallpaper has always been a quick, colorful way to give a room style and visual interest. Unfortunately, ripped seams, bubbles, tears and other damage are common. And if you don't fix these problems right away, you'll end up having to replace the entire piece of wallcovering. The good news is, fixing wallpaper isn't especially difficult, though it does take a few specialized tools and techniques.

We'll focus on the three most common wall-paper repairs: loose seams, punctures and trapped air bubbles. To make repairs as invisible as possible, work slowly and carefully. Rushing yields sloppy work that's much harder to fix the second time around.

Apartment Maintenance Checklist

Proper apartment maintenance prevents unnecessary expenses for apartment leasing companies and property tenants. Regular general upkeep will also ensure optimal living conditions, and may help prevent accidents. 

In addition to simple tasks, such as regular cleaning, apartments should receive regular inspections and renovations if necessary. If you are an apartment tenant and are unsure of how to fix a maintenance problem in your unit, be sure to contact your property maintenance team to assist you in resolving the issue.

Apartment Maintenance Tips

Most tenants are more than happy to leave maintenance to the landlord. After all, maintenance service is a primary benefit of renting. That said, service calls are intrusive. And in the long run, you'll pay for damage to your unit caused by neglect. Protect your peace of mind and your security deposit by following a few basic apartment maintenance tips.

Keep the Refrigerator Working Efficiently

Dirty coils hold in heat and make your refrigerator's motor work harder to cool the inside compartments. Keep coils clean by removing the cover from below the door and vacuuming out the dust that has accumulated. While you're there, remove the drip pan from underneath the coils. Wash it well, and check the drain for clogs before replacing it. Next, check the freezer. It needs to be defrosted if more than 1/4 inch of ice has accumulated on the walls. Don't chip away at it with a sharp object. Instead, remove the contents to a cooler, place a pan underneath the ice to catch the drips, and either let the ice melt at room temperature or help it along with a blow dryer.

Helpful Tips For Apartment Living

Moving Tips

• Forward Your Mail - It is important to have your mail forwarded before you move.  It can take up to three weeks for your mail to effectively be forwarded from one address to another creating potential delays in receiving your mail.  You can forward your mail in person at the post office or via their website.
• Transfer Utilities - Call your utility companies as soon as you know your moving plans.  This will allow enough time for the utility companies (electric, gas etc.) to provide you with a smooth transition to your new home.  The earlier you set up cable/high speed/phone service, the quicker your installation date will hopefully be.  Maybe even your move-in day!

Quick Window-Cleaning Tips

Put away the ladder. Here's your insider's guide to the easiest way to wash winter away.

Biggest Challenges 
1. Dirty sills and frames
2. Dusty, grimy screens
3. Spotty, smeared glass

Fastest Fixes

Give dirt the brush-off. We know — going at the glass with the cleaner is the most satisfying part. But before you squeeze that trigger, pull back the blinds or curtains, open the window, and inspect its sill, frame, and tracks for obvious crud and cobwebs. Sweep out debris using the small-handled brush that comes with your dustpan. (Skip this step, and you risk a mess later, since the loose dirt can stick to your wiping towel and smear the glass.) Also handy: a cloth-wrapped screwdriver for flicking out dead bugs or hard-to-reach gunk.