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Maintenance and Service Tips
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! For whatever reasons you might have purchased your new home, we are happy to provide with your new home warranty. Refer to your warranty document for specific coverages, specific terms, and limitations. There are some basic guidelines you must follow to protect and maintain your home. The following will provide you with some of those guidelines.
Let's start on the outside.
Roof
• Do not walk on the roof, but rather inspect it from the edges. If you must walk
on the roof, do so very carefully.
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Snow, ice and high winds can damage a roof. Every spring and after a heavy
storm, you should check for water stains under the overhang and in the attic.
Loose or damaged shingles should be replaced.
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Check for water stains in the attic, and also under the overhang after heavy
storms and each spring.
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Check the flashing around the chimney, in the roof valleys and against any walls
to see that it's secure and watertight.
Gutters and Downspouts
• It is very important that you provide or maintain splash blocks and downspout
extensions so they are in a position to carry roof water a minimum of five (5) feet
away from the foundation.
• Make sure the gutters are sloping properly, allowing water to flow freely to the
downspout.
• Keep the gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris.
• Keep gutters and downspouts in good repair.
Fireplace and Chimney
Prior to building the first fire of the season, you should:
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Check to see if any of the "fire clay" (mortar) has fallen out and replace it if
necessary.
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See if the damper works properly; make sure it closes tightly.
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Check the flue with a flashlight for soot build-up. For heavy soot deposits, a
professional chimney cleaner should be employed.
• Remember, to keep the damper closed when you're not using the fireplace to
prevent heat from escaping up the chimney.
Now, let's go inside the house.
Floors
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Wood floors should be mopped or vacuumed. Use a paste wax (if
recommended by the flooring manufacturer) on hardwood floors, and if
excessively soiled, clean with mineral spirits or a commercial cleaner. Check
with a flooring company to find out if your hardwood floors should be
professionally cleaned and resealed after a certain period of time.
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Linoleum, asphalt, vinyl, vinyl-asbestos and rubber floors should be swept,
mopped or vacuumed regularly. You can clean these floors with diluted
detergent or a recommended floor cleaner and then wax if required.
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Slate or clay tile should be sealed to protect and prevent staining. Use a diluted
detergent or tile cleaner to clean.
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Carpeting should be vacuumed regularly and shampooed when needed. Avoid
excessive wetting when shampooing.
Windows
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For lightly soiled windows, use a solution of one cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
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For heavily soiled windows, use a solution of one tablespoon of household ammonia and three tablespoons of denatured alcohol or vinegar to one quart of warm water.
Doors
• If you have a door that sticks, check to see if the hinges are aligned and tightly
screwed to the frame and door. If they still stick, wrap a piece of sandpaper
around a block of wood and sand those edges that stick. Seal or repaint the
sanded area. This will prevent moisture, which can cause warping from being
absorbed by the wood. Tops and bottoms of doors should be sealed or painted.
• Inspect all exterior doors each spring and fall. Check for wear and to see that
weatherstripping is tight and free from defects.
Paint
Exterior paints can usually be used for inside areas, however, the opposite is not always true. Do not use acrylic or latex paint over enamel or varnish, since it will not adhere. Use a washable paint in the bathroom, kitchen or utility area. Before you paint, be sure to:
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Clean the surface.
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Repair minor cracks and imperfections with spackle.
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Reset nail "pops" in the drywall, spackle and sand smooth.
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Sand woodwork, enameled or varnished surfaces.
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Be sure the surface is dry before painting. It is also important to follow the paint
manufacturer's directions.
Cleaning Walls
• Some painted surfaces may be cleaned with a mild solution of detergent and
water. If you are not sure about the washability of the paint, try washing in an
inconspicuous place.
• Glazed brick or tile should be washed with soap and water. Use a non-abrasive
household cleaner to remove stains.
• Wood paneling should be cleaned with a wood cleaning product and then
treated with paneling wax or with linseed oil.
Drains
• Never pour grease down your drains. Keep hair and food out of the drain. Do not use any kind of lye if you have a plastic pipe system.
• Every month or so you should:
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Run hot water down the drain.
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Add three tablespoons of baking soda.
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Add a little hot water and let stand for 15 minutes, and
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Flush with hot water.
Garbage Disposal
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Always use only cold water when the disposal is operating.
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Occasionally grind some ice cubes and lemon peels to clean and freshen the
disposal.
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Always read the manufacturer's maintenance manual.
Cabinets
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Do not clean with abrasive cleaners, use a "soft-scrub" type cleaner.
• Wood cabinets should be cleaned and waxed just like fine furniture.
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Plastic coated cabinets may be cleaned with a detergent solution.
Counter Tops
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Counter tops should be cleaned with a "soft-scrub" cleaner.
• Although most counter tops are heat and stain resistant, you should not place
hot objects directly on the counter top.
• Formica tops can be cut easily, so a chopping block should be used.
Bathroom
Regular cleaning of fixtures prevents a soap scum build-up. Never use a harsh cleaner, but rather:
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Use a glass cleaner for chrome or brass.
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Use a "soft-scrub" cleaner for marble and cultured marble.
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Use a stiff brush to clean grout. For a heavy stain, use a commercial grout
cleaner. Regrout if necessary to prevent water from seeping behind the tile and
into the walls.
Having taken care of the outside and inside of your home, the following additional guidelines are suggested:
Heating and Cooling Systems
Today's energy costs are high enough, so by following the guidelines listed below, you can help keep the costs down:
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Set your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer and at 68 degrees in the
winter. Constant changing of the thermostat wastes energy.
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Close registers and doors in rooms not normally used.
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Hot air rises and cold air falls. With this in mind, in the summer you should
close some downstairs registers and open some upstairs registers, reverse the
process in the winter.
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Keep registers and cold-air returns free from obstacles, such as drapes,
furniture and other items.
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Check the filter in your heating system at least twice a year, it should be cleaned
or changed. The filter should be checked more often if there is a lot of traffic in
and out of the house.
Landscaping
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Be sure the ground slopes away from the foundation.
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Plant trees at least twelve (12) and shrubs at least four (4) feet away from the
foundation.
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Be sure splash blocks and downspout extensions are in place and carry roof
water away from the foundation at least five (5) feet.
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Do not allow sprinklers to hit the area within four (4) feet of your foundation.
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Do not allow puddles to form near the foundation.
Winterize
• Check the furnace. Clean or replace filters and check for proper operation.
• Check the pumps and valves on a hot water/steam furnace.
• Drain water from outside faucets and put away the hose.
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Clean out gutters and downspouts, as clogged gutters and downspouts can
cause "ice damming", which can result in damage to the roof.
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Check and repair weather-stripping and caulking.
Mildew is a fungus and can be removed by using: three tablespoons of Tri- Sodium Phosphate (TSP) and one and one half cups of household bleach in one gallon of water. (ALWAYS WEAR RUBBER GLOVES) Allow seven days to dry before repainting.
Remember, failure to maintain your home can become costly.
For new homes only:
Landscaping and Grading
There are many areas across the country that contains active soils that can expand and shrink when the soils become wet. It is critical to the success of the home's foundation to keep the soils around the foundation at a consistent moisture content level.
Your builder has provided your yard with a final grade, which is designed to drain your yard and keep excess water away from the foundation. When you landscape, you must maintain this grade, or if you hire a landscaping firm, make sure they also maintain this grade. You can protect the foundation and prevent leaky basements by:
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Keep water drainage swales clear of leaves and debris.
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Plant trees at least twelve (12) feet and shrubbery at least four (4) feet from the
foundation. This allows for a proper root system and helps keep water away
from the foundation.
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Do now allow sprinklers and sprinkler systems to wet the area within four (4)
feet of your foundation or cause puddles near the foundation.
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Keep the watering of shrubbery and plants near the foundation to a minimum.
Keep in mind that under your warranty you are responsible for maintaining the
proper grades that will help keep water away from the foundation.
Condensation
During the construction of your home, gallons of water were used in the foundation, basement floor, paint and even in the bathroom grout. Daily use of the home also creates moisture, so dampness in a new home is unavoidable. About one year should be allowed for your home to "cure". High temperatures of unnatural heating to help speed up "curing" can cause warping of wood products and other types of damage. You should always:
• Use exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen and any utility area.
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Open basement windows when it is warm and dry and close them when it rains.
• Check and adjust your humidifier, if one is provided. |
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