New Tenants

• Furniture and Wall Heater Maintenance

  • Clean or replace the furnace filter at least 4 times a year, preferably at the beginning of fall or winter. Problems caused by failure to clean/replace the filter may be the tenant's responsibility.
  • Dust can accumulate at furnace vents as well as at fan vents. A small broom brushed across the vent openings will clear away any dust and help the furnace or fan operate efficiently.
  • Prior to the heating season, (which can begin as early as September), please turn your heaters/furnace on and make sure they are operating properly. If they are not, please call Bear Paw.

• Gas Wall Heaters

  • If your residence has a gas wall heater, it is prudent to turn off the gas at the unit when the heater is not needed.
  • On any gas appliance, new or older, you may detect a gas odor if the pilot light goes out. This should disappear in a few minutes after airing out the room.
  • If the odor persists, call your gas company immediately.

• Power, Furnace, and Hot Water Heater Outages

  • If the power goes out in your unit or house, first check to see if the whole area is without power. If it is out in the area, call the power company to report it.
  • If the power is only out in your house/unit, check the circuit breaker box. If any are off, switch to on. If none are off, turn each switch off then on to reset the circuits. If this doesn't solve the problem, check the GFI/reset button in the bathroom/kitchen (where applicable). If that doesn't work, call Bear Paw.
  • If your furnace or water heater is not working, check the pilot light and relight it if necessary. If they still aren't working, call Bear Paw.

• Septic Systems

  • Tenants must be extremely careful with regards to what is put down the drains or toilets when on a septic system.
  • Do not use DRANO, bleach or similar products.
  • Use single ply toilet paper.
  • Do not flush any feminine hygiene products.

• Well Water

  • Contact Bear Paw right away if there are any dripping sinks or running toilets as this will run the well dry.
  • If you find no water in your home, first go to the breaker panel and turn off the well pump. You need to wait 1 to 2 hours and then turn the power back on to the pump. If this doesn't solve the water problem, please call the office.
  • During high run-off season, the water table shifts and your water may be discolored. If this occurs, drink bottled water until the well water clears. If the problem does not resolve itself after the high run-off is over, please call Bear Paw.
  • Bear Paw / Owner are not responsible for the quality of water. If it is found not potable, please call the office.

• Drains

  • AVOID letting food, hair, and excess soap get down the drains.
  • Clogged drains caused by hair, grease, and soap are the tenant's responsibility. Some dishwashers will clog from food left on the dishes when put in the machine.
  • Hardware stores carry "hair catchers" to place in sink and tub drains that significantly help keep drains free of hair.
  • Evergreen Metro District Drain Guidelines

• Smoke Detectors

  Tenants are responsible for keeping fresh batteries in smoke detectors. We recommend changing batteries at the beginning and end of daylight savings time.

• Fireplaces

  • Please burn only seasoned wood in the fireplaces and woodstoves to minimize the buildup of creosote, etc. in the chimney. Creosote buildup is a fire hazard.
  • Please do not burn magazines, glossy paper, etc.
  • Pellet Stoves- - Airflow, YouTube, Google. Can find manuals online, if not provided at Move-in.

• Refrigerator Coils / Drip Pans

  • Keep coils on refrigerator (especially Sub-zeros) free of dust.
  • Coils need free air flowing around them to operate efficiently.
  • Failure to keep coils clean may cause the appliance motor to burn out. The replacement of a burned out motor due to dirty coils may be the tenant's responsibility.

• Garbage Disposals

  • If you are on a septic system, please use the garbage disposal very lightly/sparingly.
  • ALWAYS run water while the disposal is operating to avoid damage to the unit. Let the water run for 10-15 seconds after turning off the disposal. Learn to recognize the sound the machine makes when completely free of garbage.
  • Disposals are designed to grind up organic items only. Exceptions include egg shells, potato skins, banana peels, artichoke leaves, celery stalks, flower stems, coffee grounds, bones, or any item that is particularly tough.
  • NEVER put paper, plastic, glass, aluminum foil or grease in the disposal.
  • ALWAYS be sure to check the power switch (usually under the sink), try the reset button (somewhere on the machine), and remove all contents before calling maintenance. Problems caused by user error are the tenant's responsibility.

• Toilets

  • Many homes and apartments have low-flow toilets. We strongly recommend that you keep a plunger nearby. Low-flow toilets tend to clog or back up if too much paper, etc. is flushed.
  • Tenants must be prepared to plunge the toilet to clear clogs and avoid damage from over-flows.

• Bathrooms

  • Please be sure to keep shower curtains inside the tub and completely close shower doors when showering. Standing water on the floor will seep through, grout, linoleum and carpet will cause dry rot and damage on the floorboards below. Use a mat, towel, or rug on the floor (even on carpet) to step on when exiting the tub or shower.
  • NEVER use scrubbing cleansers like Comet or AJAX on molded tub fixtures as these products will permanently scratch the surfaces. NEVER u
  se abrasives on brass or gold fixtures.
  • Keep the tracks clean at the bottom of shower doors to prevent mold growth. Use an old toothbrush and do a regular monthly cleaning.
  • RainX on glass doors help keep them cleaner longer. Squeegee doors and tile after each shower if you have hard water.

• Kitchen Counters

  • To avoid costly damage from nicks and cuts in counter tops, please use a cutting board at all times.
  • Never use any acidic or abrasive cleaning products including vinegar on marble or granite. It is best to use warm water and a sponge with a small amount of dishwashing liquid such as Dawn or Joy.
  • Marble is a porous material. Be careful that water run-off from plants is not left standing on the surface. It will permanently stain the marble.
  • Tenants must take care to avoid water damage caused by allowing water to sit on counters.

• Hardwood Floors

  • NEVER use cleaning products or apply oil to floors. It is best to sweep, dust and mop with water regularly.
  • Periodically clean floors with a small amount of vinegar in the water.
  • Use throw rugs in front of the sink and the stove to protect these areas from water and grease.

• Sliding Glass Doors and Screen Doors

  • Regularly clean dirt and debris out of sliding door tracks.
  • Rolling over dirt, leaves, and pine needles that accumulate in the tracks can damage the wheels on sliding doors, especially the heavy glass sliders.
  • Please make it part of your cleaning routine to clear the tracks.
  • Please do not use oil or WD40 to lubricate slider doors or screens. These products only attract dirt and gum up the wheel mechanisms.

• Mini Blinds

  When cleaning mini blinds, don't soak them - the finish may bubble and peel. Spray them with a mild soap & water solution and wipe them. Weekly dusting or wiping can save a lot of work later.

• Plants

  • Be sure drip pans are kept under all plants. Water run-off will stain or damage most surfaces.
  • Please put "feet" under them so that they are raised up off the deck a few inches to allow air flow beneath the pot and to prevent water run-off from rotting the deck

Household Cleaning Tips

• Mama Bear's Household Cleaning Tips:

  How to: Bleach is the best product for removing mold that forms around the edges of showers, tubs, on tile walls, around metal windows, and anywhere there is moisture.

  • Cut paper towels in half and fold them into one-inch strips.
  • Dip each strip into the bleach bottle and hold your finger against it as you draw it out.
  • Lay the bleach-soaked strips directly on the mold and leave them there for several hours.
  • Remember to use rubber gloves and air out affected rooms.

• Drain cleaning/clearing solution recipe is:

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup vinegar, followed by 8 cups boiling water.
  • Perform this treatment monthly to avoid build-up.

• Oven rack cleaning:

  • Put them in a heavy-duty garbage bag (do this outdoors)
  • Add 2 cups of ammonia and seal the bag.
  • Let it sit for a couple of hours then carefully open the bag (without inhaling the strong odor).
  • Remove racks and pans and the grease will wipe off with very little effort.

• Ceramic tile and molded fixture cleaning:

  Dilute 1 part white vinegar in 5 parts water.