By Jerry L’Ecuyer & Frank Alvarez

Dear Maintenance Men:

I have installed vinyl floor squares several times, but I can’t seem to get it square with the walls. It always looks like the tiles and the walls are not square. Do you have a procedure on how to start the first tile straight and end up with a square-looking job?

Noah

Dear Noah,

Complete all of your floor prep work; be sure the surface is clean, dry, and free from dust and debris. Measure the length and width of the floor; divide each measurement by two and mark the floor at the intersecting lines. Snap a chalk line along the length and width of the floor, using the previous measurements. This will produce a cross dividing the floor into quadrants. Now check your chalk line for squares-ness, using a carpenter’s square at the intersection of the two lines. There is a chance the walls are not square. If this is the case, take several measurements to ensure the chalk line is truly square to the walls. Next, dry-fit your tile in both directions to determine your run. Keep the following in mind: adjust your chalk reference lines to allow for full tiles at high-traffic tile termination points such as dining room to kitchen, hallway to bathroom, etc. Ideally, you will want to use no less than one-half of a tile at any wall or termination point. Start your first tile at the cross-section of the two chalk lines. This will allow you to use two perpendicular straight lines to align your first tile. Follow each chalk line, putting down the tile until you have formed a cross dividing the floor into quadrants. Continue gluing down your tile in each quadrant by going down one axis and across the other.

Dear Maintenance Men:

I am planning for my apartment building’s Spring Cleaning this year by considering installing ceiling fans in my units. Come summertime this should help my residents keep cool and save energy at the same time. Is this a good plan?

Gary

Dear Gary:

We love ceiling fans and encourage their use. Most people feel cooler with a fan moving the air, but that increased comfort doesn’t always result in lowering the air-conditioning thermostat. We don’t believe the fans will lower the temperature of a warm apartment significantly. But it still feels good sitting under that spinning fan. Given a choice, a potential resident will most likely choose a unit with a ceiling fan. If you want to lower utility bills and cool the units at the same time; install a powered temperature-controlled attic fan and/or attic insulation. Insulation alone will have a dramatic effect, and often utility companies or cities have programs to provide and install the insulation at little or no cost to the owner.

Dear Maintenance Men:
I am having trouble with a forty-gal water heater in my building’s laundry room. The pilot will not stay lit or if I do light the pilot, it will go out after the first water heating cycle. Is the problem with the thermocouple and if it is, how do I repair it?
Jose

Dear Jose:
When water heaters will not stay lit or will not cycle on and off properly, it is usually the fault of the thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that when it senses the pilot flame is out, shuts off the gas supply to the water heater. In your case, the thermocouple itself may have failed which will trigger the built-in failsafe and shut off the gas supply. Thermocouples are simple devices that are easy to replace. (If you are not comfortable working on a gas appliance, please contact a plumber or appliance repair professional.) To replace the thermocouple, first turn off the gas leading to the heater and let the firebox cool down for fifteen to twenty minutes before starting work. The thermocouple is located in the firebox next to or alongside the pilot assemble. It will be either silver or copper colored and look like a small pencil with a copper tube or wire attached. Unscrew the bracket and slide the thermocouple out of the holder. Now follow the copper tube or wire to the control valve. Use a small wrench to remove the nut holding the tube in place; remove the thermocouple wire from the control valve. Take the thermocouple to your local hardware or plumbing store and ask for a replacement. They should cost less than ten or fifteen dollars. To install, just reverse the disassembly procedure. Turn on the gas, follow the lighting instructions on the water heater.

Info: Use WD-40 to remove stickers from most non-porous surfaces. Thoroughly soak the sticker and carefully scrape off using a plastic putty knife.

Bio: 
If you need maintenance work or consultation for your building or project, please feel free to contact us. We are available throughout Southern California. For an appointment, please call Buffalo Maintenance, Inc. at 714 956-8371 
Frank Alvarez is licensed contractor and the Operations Director and co-owner of Buffalo Maintenance, Inc. He has been involved with apartment maintenance & construction for over 30 years. Frankie is Past President of the Apartment Association of Orange County and a lecturer, educational instructor and Chair of the Education Committee of the AAOC.  He is also Chairman of the Product Service Counsel.  Frank can be reached at (714) 956-8371 Frankie@BuffaloMaintenance.com For more info please go to:  www.BuffaloMaintenance.com
Jerry L’Ecuyer is a real estate broker. He is currently a Director Emeritus and Past President of the Apartment Association of Orange County and past Chairman of the association’s Education Committee.  Jerry has been involved with apartments as a professional since 1988.