Self Help Maintenance

If you have a clogged drain in sinks, tubs, or toilets, plunge hard several times with your plunger. To unclog sink drains, create a seal by placing a cup over the drain on the opposite side of the double sink before plunging. If the toilet overflows or runs all the time, shut off the water supply behind the toilet tank. Clean-up of the water is the resident’s responsibility. 

There are two types of shower diverters. One is the type most of us are familiar with: to operate, pull the knob to operate the shower. Some units have a diverter on the tip of the faucet that pulls down. If you notice that water pressure has dropped in only one faucet in the apartment, you may need to clean the aerator at the tip of the faucet.

Toilets
Please only flush toilet paper.

Flushing hand towels, paper towels, Kleenex, feminine hygiene products will cause sewage lines to clog, resulting in toilets to overflow and sewage to backup into your living space. These types of products should be thrown away in the garbage for your safety and convenience.

Always turn the water on before engaging the disposal. If there is an odor coming from the disposal, turn on the water then turn on the disposal and add one cup of ice and one-half cup of vinegar.

Do not put the following items down the disposal. It will become clogged and require maintenance to repair it.

• Dry or cooked pasta
• Dry or cooked rice
• Fibrous or stringy fruits and vegetables such as asparagus, celery, banana peels, corn husks and rhubarb
• Bones
• Nuts or seeds
• Potato peels
• Egg shells
• Coffee grounds
• Grease
• Onion layers
• Non-food materials

If you notice a foul smell in the bedroom coming from the water heater, the drain trap may be dry. Pour a couple of pitchers of hot water down the drain near the water heater; this should eliminate the odor in a few hours. A small amount of bleach may be added if the odor persists.

In the apartments, the top outlet in the living room is wired to work with the light switch by the front door. The light switch has to be in the on position for the outlet to work. If the outlet in the bathroom next to the sink does not work, the ground fault breaker may need to be reset. To do this, push the red button.

If you suspect that a breaker may have tripped, do not try to reset the breaker. Your RA or AC can help you. If they are not available, call Fix My Home 812-468-2176 to report the problem.

There are two types of HVAC units used in the campus apartments. O’Daniel North, O’Daniel South, and the McDonald West apartments have through-the-wall units. The controls are located on each unit. The McDonald East apartments use forced-air heat and air conditioning and the unit is operated by a thermostat located on the apartment wall. The residence halls use a central system for the entire building; each suite is controlled by a thermostat located in the common room of the suite. 

Residence Halls
A chill water system is what supplies cooling to residence hall rooms. During the winter when the temperature is below 50 degrees, the cooling system is shut down. This can cause the temperature in suites to rise due to no cold water. If a suite gets too warm, residents may need to open a window to let some cool air in. If the suite is too cold, residents should send in a work order to have it checked. 

When leaving for 24 hours or more during winter or cold weather, make sure that the thermostat is set to 65 degrees and when leaving for 24 hours or more during warm weather, make sure that the thermostat is set to 75 degrees.

McDonald West, O'Daniel North, O'Daniel South
The thermostat for units is set on each computer to go NO lower than 68 degrees. The digital display will go as low as 61 degrees but the actual unit will not function any lower than 68 degrees so please do not set units any lower than this. This will cause them to lock up and freeze. Don't set the air conditioner to the lowest cool setting and allow to operate for extended periods of time. This will cause condensation to form on the walls around the unit promoting the growth of mildew and mold. There must be 18” clearance around the entire unit in order for it to function properly.

It is normal for the heat element to burn off any dust that has settled on it during the summer. You could notice some smoke coming out of the unit, and it may even set off the smoke detector on the ceiling. DO NOT pull the smoke detector from the ceiling. The smoke should only last for about 15 minutes. If sparks or smoke continues to be expelled from the unit for a long period of time, or if you have a concern, turn the unit off and contact your RA or AC. Another method is to do a burn-off once a week, allowing the heat element to run for five minutes. You then should experience no problems when you turn it on for normal usage in the fall or winter. 

When leaving for 24 hours or more during winter or cold weather, make sure that the heat is ON and that the thermostat is set to 68 degrees or low, depending on the HVAC unit in the apartment. When leaving for 24 hours or more during warm weather, make sure that the air conditioning is ON and that the thermostat is set to 75 degrees or low, depending on the HVAC unit in the apartment.

McDonald East
You need to switch the thermostat to heat in order for the furnace to generate warm air. It may smell when you first turn it on due to burning off dust that has settled over the summer. The smell should go away after a few minutes. Open up windows if necessary.

When leaving for 24 hours or more during winter or cold weather, make sure that the heat is ON and that the thermostat is set to 65 degrees. When leaving for 24 hours or more during warm weather, make sure that the air conditioning is ON and that the thermostat is set to 75 degrees.

USI maintenance staff will enter apartments and residence hall rooms in the absence of residents in order to conduct routine maintenance, repairs, and respond to emergencies.

The facility team may enter an apartment or suite to perform a check out inspection or to take readings on the health of your room. 

Staff will attempt to contact residents and will knock on doors prior to entering. All staff will have proper identification.