phone icon

Talk to us today

Maintenance


HOW TO LODGE MAINTENANCE

If you are wanting to advise us of maintenance you will need to log this through our online portal (Maintenance Plus). You will be sent an invitation link at the start of your tenancy to sign onto the service. If you require a new invitation please email info@wre.co.nz with your request. 
 

REPAIR TROUBLESHOOTING & FIX IT TECHNIQUES

Before proceeding with logging your repair request with Waikato Real Estate, please have a look at the handy tips below to avoid any unnecessary call outs. If a contractor attends to a problem at your home and it is found that there was no fault, or it was a fault of your own - you will be charged for the call out.
NO HOT WATER

Is it gas or electricity?

  • Have you arranged for the connection of your gas or electricity?
  • If it is a gas hot water system is the gas turned on to flow through the gas hot water system?
  • Have you checked to see if your pilot light has gone out? Some gas hot water systems can be easily relit others may require a tradesperson.
  • If it is electrical, then please ensure that the hot water cylinder is switched ON at the power point and that the plug is plugged in.
  • Check the fuse box and ensure the hot water fuse is switched ON.
  • Check that the tap that allows the water to flow into the hot water cylinder is turned on - be sure that the tap is turned anticlockwise for ON.
  • Check the cut-out switch in the meter box
  • Check that the switch inside the cupboard, where the hot water cylinder is is ON
 
NO POWER

Have you contacted your electricity supplier? There may be a fault in the street. Click Here to check for outages in your area.

  • Check your neighbour if they have any power.
  • Check your fuse box. There may have been an overload and the safety switch has been activated and needs re-setting - tenant responsibility.
  • Check that one of your appliances is not faulty, by unplugging all your appliances in the house and plugging them back in one at a time. This tip also can be used if your power is tripping, lights or power points in your house.
SMOKE ALARM
When smoke alarms start beeping it is sometimes not smoke or fire, but can be as simple as a low battery. Check for smoke first.
 
NO WATER
  • Check the water flowing into the house from the road. The tap is to be turned anti clockwise to make sure it is fully open. This tap is usually in a blue lidded box found at the front of the property.
  • Check the isolating tap that is often positioned under a metal plate in the wall of the garage. This does not relate to all properties.
 
NO LIGHTS AND POWER POINTS
  • Check your fuse box. If there has been an overload, the safety switch may need re-setting.
  • Does a light bulb need replacing?
STOVE ELEMENT NOT WORKING
Check to see if the safety switch on the wall is turned on and also check the fuse. If your stove has an element that can be removed, compared to the glass top elements, then if this element is not working check the connectors to make sure that they are not loose or dirty. Sometimes pulling the elements out and cleaning them and putting them back in again may fix the problem.
 
BATH / SHOWER LEAKS
The most common problem in properties is leaking from wet areas eg. bathrooms, laundries, kitchens into adjoining rooms. A regular check for water leaks is advisable. If the carpet / floor is wet, sponge and dry the area thoroughly and check again after use. Advise our office if it is still a problem.
BLOCKED SHOWER, SINK OR DRAIN OUTLETS

Try the following before contacting us:

  • Sinks - Put the plug in, fill the sink with water, using hot water if you think it is blocked with fat or oil, then pull out the plug. The sheer volume of the water may clear the blockage. If this does not work try filling the sink with dishwashing powder and boiling hot water and then pull the plug.
  • Showers - Remove hair from the shower outlet - a common problem with blocked showers. In most modern homes the outlet can be unscrewed and hair can be removed.
  • Other Options -Plunge or Plunger - this will clear easy blockages from bits and pieces. Drano from supermarkets, will dissolve most fats and may clear any blockages.
  • Blocked Waste Disposal - Usually has the wrong things put down it. Never put teabags, onion skins, pumpkin seeds, or banana peel into a waste disposal. Remove any solid articles dropped down ... cutlery etc. Once the outlet is unblocked find the reset switch located under or side of the waste unit under the sink. Just push this and the waste disposal should start.
 
SUPERTUBS
  • Please ensure correct connections from the super tub to your own washing machine are done prior to using the machine. The first few times that you are using the washing machine, please leave the super tub door open, and check whilst the washing machine is running that the hoses are not leaking.
  • If they are leaking then please unscrew hoses and re-screw again if this fails then please do not use your machine until we have had a plumber to attend to replace the thread or washers on the super tub side which is the owners responsibility.
  • If it your washing machine hoses leaking then please note that you will need to attend to the repair of your washing machine hose at your own cost.
LEAKING ROOF

This can be caused by any of the following:

  • Nails lifted, loosening thr iron sheets - which they can do over time.
  • Rusted out iron flashing.
  • Broken or cracked tiles.
NOTE: Rain can get into any of these areas and move across ceiling beams and leak into another area of the ceiling. So it can be difficult even for a plumber to get to the problem straight away.
 
SHOWER CLEANERS
To clean a glass shower door, sponge with white vinegar. If you apply silicone car polish every few months to your glass shower, and the last person each morning gives it a quick wipe over with a window cleaning squeegee, it will always be sparkling clean.
LEAKING ROOF

This can be caused by any of the following:

  • Nails lifted, loosening thr iron sheets - which they can do over time.
  • Rusted out iron flashing.
  • Broken or cracked tiles.
NOTE: Rain can get into any of these areas and move across ceiling beams and leak into another area of the ceiling. So it can be difficult even for a plumber to get to the problem straight away.
 
SHOWER CLEANERS
To clean a glass shower door, sponge with white vinegar. If you apply silicone car polish every few months to your glass shower, and the last person each morning gives it a quick wipe over with a window cleaning squeegee, it will always be sparkling clean.
EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE
Emergency maintenance must be reported immediately. Please contact our office immediately. Remember if it is not an urgent matter it can wait to be reported on the next business day to the office.
 
LODGE A MAINTENANCE REQUEST ON-LINE:
Please complete a form on our repairs and maintenance page to lodge a maintenance request 
or simply email info@wre.co.nz if you are not sure who is your property manager.

Waikato Real Estate © 2018. All rights reserved.