Our apartment is needy. It desperately needs to be coddled and loved at all times or it just falls apart. The whole thing, about 14 years old - I think, according to rumor - was renovated before we moved in, about 4 years ago now, and we do our best to keep up with the maintenance, and usually (... except for the evil AC units, which are possessed by demons and ought to be thrown into the Nile - after many cleansing rituals and banishments are performed...) (ahem...) usually, we have no problems. BUT, we were gone on R&R nearly 4 weeks, a week more than anticipated, and the apartment got its feelings hurt.
So far, all the new halogen lights in the entry are burnt out. Halogens are supposed to be long lasting - "Halogen MR16 lamps are typically more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs, but not as efficient as fluorescent lamps or LED technology. MR16 lamps typically have a life expectancy of 1000 to 3,000 hours." - which in this place, translates to about a week whether we use them or not, if we are lucky. We were gone a month. Why should I expect them to be working??
The AC filters, which were cleaned right before we left, were so clogged that the AC's were not putting out any cool air. When the filters were removed, piles of black ick fell out. They had construction going on while we were gone and all the dust got sucked right in. Yuk! And yea ... that means the whole house had a fine layer of black ick all over too... even after our friend had the place cleaned and vacuumed before our return, there was still time for another layer to form. I am not sure I want to look at the ionic breeze stand-alone air filters - although they may not be too bad. One power flicker (happens all the time) would have simply turned them off.
One good thing is we had weatherstrip tape put around our door - it has already significantly lowered the temps we get in that area. And btw, even though I might complain about the AC, I absolutely do not like a 'cold' house... I just do not like it to be hotter inside than outside! Since we have an apartment with FULL SUN, some AC is needed, and leaky doors are not helpful.
Yesterday, after I finished working in the back room, I walked out to check my laundry... and into a FLOOD. Hallway, living room, kitchen, laundry room ... sigh. The washing machine went psycho. Don't think anything was ruined - but it was a huge mess - the laminate wood floors will not be the same again. (not too bad, considering the amount of water). I'm glad I was home to catch it. Fortunately the maintenance guys were on the ball and ran right up to help clean up and try to fix the washer. The machine in still broken though and I need to do laundry. Hopefully by today.
Today was "Too much water, Part II" - fortunately, contained in the shower this time. The shower faucet has broken about six times since we've been in this apartment - that is six times more than I've EVER in my life seen a shower faucet break! Yet again, the stupid thing snapped and we could not shut off the shower. Had to turn off the shower from the wall - meaning we have no water in the back of the house. The drain is draining way too slow, and the sink is dripping too - which has been temporarily solved by our turning off the water.
Ok, enough is enough... house, you need to start behaving. We are back, ok?! Chill out already!
4 comments:
Ugh! That is a lot to contend with when you are tired and trying to get back into a routine. Hope things look up soon!
Have you tried an exorcism? ;P
I'm leaving the job of reprimanding the naughty house to the facilities guys.. they do a great job! ;-D
Oh Egypt! The facilities guys often take shortcuts which is why you can have the same problems over and over. At least that is how it was with them in our Cairo apartment.
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