DIY Maintenance Tips and Tricks for Apartment Living

September 18, 2020

DIY Maintenance Tips and Tricks for Maintenance and Apartment Living

Whether you have a long rental history or this is your first apartment, Prolific Property Management wants to make your experience the best it can be. Maintenance issues are bound to happen but working together we can keep our buildings and apartments safe, secure and a place everyone is proud to call home.

We love to hear from our residents. We are not on site 24/7 so we appreciate when residents that let us know there are issues. No matter how major or minor you may think they are.

Not everyone is a do it "yourselfer" but here are some simple steps that you can take to make sure every request is understood and handled appropriately.

Here is a short list of some common issues and how you can help:

1. Outlet not working - Breakers can trip causing power issues in your apartment. If an outlet is not working, check the breaker to make sure something hasn’t tripped.

2. Toilet not flushing – simply try plunging. Never flush wipes (even if they say flushable or feminine hygiene products).

3. Moisture build up in bathroom - Look up at your bath vent and make sure it is not plugged with lint and debris. This will ensure proper air flow. To check function, simply hold up a Kleenex or piece of toilet paper to see if there is air drawing.

4. A/C not keeping up - A/C’s have filters that can plug. Check your A/C filter. This will help air flow and to function correctly.

5. Dryer not drying clothes - Clean out the dryer vent each time it is used. This prevents build up and prolongs the life the machine. If not cleaned regularly the buildup can be dangerous and not work efficiently.

Trying these simple things before submitting a maintenance request or calling management can help things run smoother and avoid down time. If these simple tips and tricks don’t work, maintenance requests can be made by logging into your resident portal and clicking on the REQUEST MAINTENANCE button. You can also give us a call. We appreciate any and all information you can provide and please note, we likely will request pictures of the issue to help us understand the heart of the matter.

Resident satisfaction is our highest priority and working together, we want to make your time with Prolific Property Management the best it can be.

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THE SNUGGLE IS REAL - Your guide to winterizing in North Dakota

By Jeszrai • September 10, 2025

We all know our ND winters can be brutal and have us questioning why we live in a place where the air feels like forced acupuncture. That’s why we want our residents to have a warm and cozy place to retreat to! For optimal comfort during our chilly torture season we have some helpful hints, tips and suggestions to help you through! Insulation is invaluable If the thermostat is set to 76 and it feels 60, it could very well be frigid air coming in from the windows. Our Prolific properties are no spring chickens and may have spots where Jack Frost creeps in. To keep him outside where he belongs, we recommend purchasing an insulation window kit ($10 at Walmart) to cover and seal the windows in the unit. Weather stripping under the doors can also be a game changer for keeping your rooms heated. There is a wide range of super cute and super effective choices on Amazon or at Walmart as well. Team Up to Warm Up! While freezing pipes can be a common annual event, there are ways we can ‘team up’ to help our plumbing and heating systems work properly throughout the “ber” months. Firstly, frozen pipes are the most common reason water pressure decreases and apartments feeling cold even with thermostats turned on high. The pipes can also burst, causing flooding and electrical hazards. To keep these things from happening, we highly recommend keeping the thermostat set to 65-75 degrees during winter. Be sure to keep working batteries in the thermostat as well. If your unit has a digital thermostat but the display is not showing, please replace the batteries. Keeping furniture off and away from the heat vents is also very important to keep the heat working properly. Remember the wise Boyscouts of America Motto: ALWAYS BE PREPARED While prevention is key, the risk still exists of losing heat or the heat not keeping up with our cold state. That is why it is crucial to have enough blankets and proper winter clothing on hand. Heat blankets, pads and portable heaters are all very helpful midwest winter necessities. If you do not own a portable heater and are in need of one due to having no heat, please call 701-566-8445 and we can have our agent deliver one to you. Warm drinks can also go a long way to keep you warm. Apple cider, hot chocolate, coffee, tea etc. are all delicious options to have on hand and keep you toasty! “We’re cold too!” - sincerely, all dakota insects Please do not fret when you see a mini pet! (We’re kidding.) All kinds of creepy crawlies may find their way into your apartment during the season. Pests are attracted to warmth as much as they are garbage. It is necessary to keep your areas clean of anything sticky or damp. Hang up towels to dry, take out the trash often and wipe your counters. Be sure to report any leaks right away. These habits can go a long way in keeping any unwanted guests from invading your cozy home. Call for help There are many things we can suggest to help fight the freezing temps, but should you need our help please have this information ready before reaching out for maintenance: Test the vents to see if they are hot or cold to the touch Please take and text photos of the setting and reading of the thermostat If it feels “too warm,” confirm nothing else could be heating up the unit - such as cooking or hot shower steam Check the hallways to check the building temperature These answers can help us decide how to proceed in offering the appropriate maintenance. We hope we can provide all of our Prolific residents with a safe and heated home this season!