One of the perks of apartment living is avoiding costly repair bills. Still, problems can arise, and some need urgent attention. That’s why it’s important to know when to call for emergency maintenance and when to place a standard request.

What Is Considered An Emergency?

Emergency maintenance situations involve potential injury or serious property damage. Most apartment communities provide a 24/7 number for these issues. You may also receive a list of what qualifies as an emergency.

Common examples include:

• Flooding or a burst pipe
• Gas leaks or broken gas lines
• Broken locks on doors or windows
• Air conditioning failure during extreme summer heat
• Heating failure in freezing winter conditions
• A clogged toilet in a one-bathroom apartment

Some emergencies are obvious. For instance, standing knee-deep in water in your living room requires immediate attention. On the other hand, if one of two toilets is clogged, it doesn’t count as an emergency.

What Doesn’t Count as an Emergency?

Maintenance teams must prioritize calls. Not every issue can be handled right away—especially those that don’t cause harm or major damage.

Examples of non-emergencies include:

• Dripping faucets
• Small leaks that can be contained
• Air conditioner failure on mild days
• Heating outages when the weather is warm
• Appliances not working (microwave, stove, washer, dryer, etc.)
• Broken cabinet handles or hinges
• Faulty light fixtures

These issues should be fixed, but they don’t put residents at immediate risk.

Issues That Feel Urgent but Aren’t

Some situations feel like emergencies but still fall outside that category.

Getting Locked Out

If you lose your key or lock yourself out, you’ll want a quick solution. However, because you and your belongings aren’t in danger, it doesn’t qualify as emergency maintenance. Instead, call a locksmith for help.

HVAC Problems

Air conditioning or heating problems may not always count as emergencies. For example, AC outages are urgent only when temperatures rise dangerously high. Heating outages matter most during freezing weather.

Utility Outages

Maintenance won’t handle general power or water outages. Often, these stem from weather events or problems with utility companies. If your utilities were shut off for nonpayment, maintenance staff also cannot resolve the issue.

Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse

Even if the problem isn’t an emergency, don’t ignore it. Submitting a request early helps the maintenance team fix issues before they grow worse. If something puts you or your family at risk, always call the emergency line immediately. For smaller problems, use your online portal or submit a regular maintenance request.

Gateway Apartments: Maintenance You Can Count On

At Gateway Apartments, our dedicated maintenance team works hard to keep residents safe and satisfied. Submit requests through your Resident Portal or call our 24-hour emergency line for urgent issues.

If you’re not yet part of our community, apply today and discover the peace of mind that comes with maintenance-free living at Gateway Senior Apartments in Fishersville, VA.