9) The Boozer Sometimes as adults we come to work with a hangover. Once every year or two is life. However, “the boozer” takes it to another level. Clocking in all glassy eyed while looking like a Nick Nolte mugshot every week will get you blacklisted from the apartment industry…
Staying motivated in the apartment industry can be a real chore. Aside from 2 or 3 great residents who show appreciation, it’s pretty much a thankless profession. Dealing with Mr. Johnson coming into the office with his list of why he hates the place that you work so hard…
“Why can’t I find good help?” The complaint I see online and hear over and over. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but there are a lot of great technicians out there. I know this for a fact because I talk with them in person and online every week.…
I’ve been on both sides of this issue. I’ve dealt with shops that had the bare minimum to work with and shops that had more than enough to work with. Needless to say, working in a skeleton shop annoys the piss out of me. Early in my maintenance career I…
The hider. It may surprise some people how rampant and common this problem is. If you’ve worked in the apartment industry long enough then you know who I’m talking about. It’s the person that you only see when they’re clocking in and clocking out. Or, they’re standing over you blabbing…
The debate that has been going on for decades. And will continue to rage between management and maintenance techs for years to come. Should the company pay for a maintenance tech’s tools? Yes they should! Now, before you feel like putting my head in a vice let me explain. Does…
Ah yes. The lowly maintenance man that doesn’t know anything. Usually a shady, filthy looking, lazy, Jerry-rigging hack that fixes very little in between his naps. Am I right? Nope. Actually dead wrong! I’m not sure when this happened, but there seems to be a stigma tied to the maintenance…
Maintenance techs who know their way around air conditioners are always in high demand in the apartment industry. You’ll pretty much have a job for the rest of your life with HVAC knowledge and skills. I enjoy HVAC work and continue learning it every day. Like my pal Steve Lav…
I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news. The good news is there’s a huge, fun, party tonight. The bad news is: you’re on call. After 15 years in the apartment maintenance field, I’ve finally made my peace with going on call. It is what you make…
Dirty Maintenance Nation would like to shine a spotlight on Chad Henry this week. He and Ty Petersen got a call Thursday about a bouncy floor. After pulling the carpet, there was damage to the subfloor. They ended up having to remove the subfloor and replace most of the supports…