Halldorson Homes, Inc.
Revised 9/27/04
PROPERTY:
ADDRESS:
All of us at HALLDORSON HOMES would like to thank you for putting your trust in our company. We will construct your home to give you a lifetime of comfort and enjoyment.
Despite our care in building your home, problems may occur and service will be required. We have found that most problems occur in the first twelve months. To most effectively serve your needs, we ask that you wait for your ten-month inspection to take care of the minor problems.
An emergency situation, however, may arise. An emergency situation exists if a heating, plumbing or electrical problem is uncontrollable or represents a danger to your family. If an emergency arises, please call our office at (360) 332-2212 or (360) 815-5201 Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:00PM. If an emergency arises in the evening or on the weekend you can call the appropriate sub-contractor directly (use the list of contractor phone numbers given to you when the house is turned over to you.). Please let us know immediately after such requests so that we can maintain an accurate file on the timeliness and quality of work performed on your home.
After settlement, additional issues covered by this warranty that occur and need attention are to be documented by you on a list and turned in to our offices at the 10 month mark.
We will review your list and approve work orders for items covered by this warranty. To expedite the completion of warranty work, it will be necessary for you to be home for scheduled appointments (which are during normal business hours of Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.) or to arrange with Halldorson Homes to allow access to your home. Cancellation of scheduled appointments or lack of response to calls made by Halldorson Homes or the subcontractor to you trying to schedule appointments will result in the cancellation of the work order by Halldorson Homes.
Our warranties with contractors expire at one year after settlement, and are therefore very time sensitive. Please be sure to mark your calendars to remind yourself to do your 10-month list so as to not miss your deadlines. Work orders for your list must be completed by the 1-year warranty time and extensions cannot be granted.
Please be aware that drywall cracks and wood trim settlement crack repairs are made one time at your 10 month follow-up and do not include sanding or painting of the affected areas. We also provide you with a paint touch-up kit at the time of your New Home Orientation.
This limited warranty is in lieu of any other warranty, expressed or implied, is not transferable and is for the use and benefit of the Homeowner(s) only during the occupancy of the premises within the period of this warranty. HALLDORSON HOMES expressly warrants to the original Homeowner(s) for a period of ten (10) years form the date of settlement that the home will be free from major structural defects. A major structural defect is defined as being an actual defect in the load-bearing portion of the home, which seriously impairs its load bearing function to the extent that the home is unsafe or unlivable. For purposes of this definition, the following items comprise the structure of the home: the foundation system, load bearing stud walls, floor joists, beams, columns, trusses and rafters.
HALLDORSON HOMES will also not be liable for any loss of damage caused by:
a) Changes of the grading of the ground by any one other than HALLDORSON HOMES
b) Changes, alterations or additions made to the home by anyone after the date of settlement
c) Dampness or condensation due to the failure of the Homeowner(s) to maintain adequate ventilation
d) Accidents, fire, explosion, smoke, falling objects, acts of God, lightning, windstorm, hail, flooding, mud slide, wind-driven water or changes in underground water table
e) Insect damage
f) Abnormal loading of floors by the homeowner which exceeds design loads as mandated by codes
HALLDORSON HOMES excludes the following items from this warranty:
a) Variations, minor shrinkage or warpage in stained doors and floors, wood cabinets, resilient flooring, wood panels, doors and trim
b) Chips, scratches or mars in tile, woodwork, walls, porcelain, brick, vinyl, mirrors, plumbing fixtures, Formica, glass, fiberglass or other defects not recognized at the time of you New Home Orientation
c) Minor cracking or loss of grouting between ceramic tile and other materials
d) Minor floor variations – minor seams and slight color variations are characteristics of carpet. Color variations and fading can often result from direct exposure to sunlight. Hardwood flooring may develop minor cracks and squeaks and can fade from direct exposure to sunlight. Resilient (vinyl) flooring may “telegraph” slight sub-floor and/or underlayment imperfections and can be dented by sharp objects such as high heels and chair legs. Ceramic tile will break if impacted by sharp heavy objects and grout may loosen or discolor with time and need to be repaired.
e) Floor squeaks – much care has been taken to ensure a squeak-proof floor, however, total avoidance is almost impossible. Often squeaks will appear and disappear with seasonal weather changes.
f) Insect infestation after date of settlement
g) Mineral or chemical contact or hardness of well water supply.
HALLDORSON HOMES further warrants that it will correct defects due to faulty construction and/or defective materials, excluding normal wear and tear, brought to its attention in writing during the period of one (1) year from the date of occupancy of the home by the original Homeowner(s). No steps taken by HALLDORSON HOMES to correct defects shall act to extend the warranty period beyond initial term of one (1) year. Certain manufacturers limited warranties may extend beyond one (1) year. HALLDORSON HOMES warrants the following items to be in proper working order and to be free from defective workmanship for a period of one (1) year from date of settlement:
a) Heating and air conditioning system
b) Plumbing system
c) Roof
d) Electrical system
Some points of major importance:
a) Frequent changing of your thermostat setting wastes electricity. Try to leave thermostat at whatever temperature you select.
b) To regulate airflow, there are floor and ceiling registers. There are adjustable dampers (lever), which will allow you to control airflow to meet your comfort needs. When using the heating system, do not expect the air coming from the registers to feel hot to the touch. The air temperature should stay constant and should be allowed sufficient time to register on the thermostat. Under normal conditions, it will take about twenty-four (24) hours to completely condition the air in your home.
c) Always keep your furnace filter clean. This is a major cause of malfunctioning units. These filters should be changed with every heating and cooling season (4 times/year). During the first five months, filters should be changed once a month to remove the excessive dust, dirt and lint caused by construction. If you cannot easily see through the filter held in a source of light, it needs to be cleaned.
d) Regularly check your condensation pump outflow lines if you have them, as they will become clogged over time.
Some suggestions for heating and cooling your home:
a) Keep all fireplace dampers closed to avoid escape of heat up the chimney.)
b) Close window draperies at night to reduce heat loss.
c) When going away for the weekend or an extended vacation, turn heat down to about 50 degrees F.
d) When cooling your home, set your thermostat at least 5 degrees higher than your normal setting.
e) Be sure to check all caulking and weather-stripping around exit doors and windows. This is a homeowner’s responsibility.
Cooling variations:
Homeowner is responsible for minor adjustments such as balancing dampers and registers. All rooms will vary in temperature by 5 or 6 degrees. This is acceptable under industry standards.
Heating variations:
Where applicable, the heating system should be able to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees (measured 5 feet above the center of the floor in the room where the thermostat is located) under current building code specifications. In the case of excessive outdoor temperatures, a 5 to 6 degree difference between the actual inside temperature and the thermostat setting is acceptable. Home is responsible for minor adjustments such as balancing dampers and registers. All rooms will vary in temperature by about 5 or 6 degrees. This is acceptable under industry standards.
Noisy ductwork – when metal ducts heat and cool some noise will result. HALLDORSON HOMES will correct excessively loud noises only.
Condensation lines – condensation lines will clog eventually under normal use. This is a homeowner maintenance item. Lines will be free of obstruction at time of New Home Orientation.
The following are checklists to review if you feel you have a problem with your heat system. Please go over these checklists before calling our offices or your heating and air conditioning contractor.
a) Check to make sure the circuit breaker for your heat system is on.
b) Make certain that the thermostat is set on the appropriate heating or cooling cycle.
c) Are all the registers in the open position?
d) Make sure the filters have been recently cleaned.
Remember that before the onset of the first cold temperatures of winter and the first tepid days of summer, you should check you heat system to assure everything is in working order. You will be able to avoid a long wait for service if your unit is not functioning properly since service calls are often very numerous during these periods.
Maintenance Guidelines:
Electrical cautions: Do-it-yourself electrical wiring is dangerous. Improper electrical repair can endanger the safety of you and your family. Always use a licensed electrician to make electrical repairs and additions. Always turn off current before doing anything electrical, even to change light bulbs.
Power failures: If your electricity goes out completely, first, check to see if your neighbors are also without power, and if so, contact utility company. Also, be aware that not every power problem is due to problems within your home’s electrical system. Utility companies experience a variety of situations that affect power supplies, including power surges and possible interruptions. Power surges and lightening storms can cause damage to your electrical system such as G.F.I’s, smoke detectors, etc. These are not covered under warranty.
Circuit breakers: Electrical wiring and appliances are protected by safety valves called circuit breakers. These serve to stop circuit overloading and eliminate having to replace fuses. The main circuit breaker is located in the panel box. This breaker, if tripped, will cut off all electricity to your home. (The small circuit breakers in your panel box control different appliances, your heating and air conditioning system and receptacles). To reset a circuit breaker simply turn the breaker completely to the off position (usually all the way to the right). Circuit breaker tripping can be caused by several reasons, some of which are listed below.
Continued tripping: If resetting the circuit breakers and removing appliance plugs fails to solve the problem, you should then call the electrical contractor on your contactor list. Do not try resetting the breakers more than one time. The continued tripping means there is a problem. This could possibly cause damage to the circuit breaker or wiring system.
a) Power surge: A surge of power through utility lines can cause tripping, usually at the time of an outage. When power returns, reset circuit breaker.
b) Thunder storms and the possibility of a lightening strike: If a breaker trips, go to the panel box and reset the breaker.
c) Defective cord on appliances or lamps
d) Circuit overload due to too many items being plugged into a circuit or a large motor plugged into the circuit.
Ground Fault Interrupters (G.F.I.’s): These are special outlets installed to help prevent shock, mainly where moisture or wet conditions could occur such as bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, basements and areas adjacent to the kitchen sink. G.F.I’s are very sensitive to power surges and moisture at the outlet or with an appliance plugged into one of these outlets. To test these outlets, just punch the test button on the outlet; this should turn off the outlets and possibly others that are controlled by the G.F.I. To turn the outlet back on, just push the reset in completely and let it go; this will reset the outlet. If an outlet controlled by a G.F.I. stops working, try resetting the G.F.I. If this does not work, check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped. Also, unplug any appliances plugged into G.F.I. receptacles, as this is also a possible cause. If this does not work, please call our Customer Relations Coordinator. Do not plug refrigerators or freezer into G.F.I. receptacles or those controlled by G.F.I.’s since automatic shutoff due to overload or trouble could cause food to be damaged or spoiled. Halldorson Homes will not be responsible for any losses due to power failure.
Lighting Fixtures: Do not use a higher wattage bulb in fixtures than what is stated on the fixture. This could cause damage to the fixture or the wiring above and is not included in the Halldorson Homes Limited Warranty.
Smoke Detectors: You will find that your home is equipped with smoke detectors on every floor, and virtually every room. They are pre-wired into your electrical system and they have a battery back-up system. Please note that when electrical power is on and one detector senses trouble, it will also activate all the smoke detectors in the home. However, in the event that the power is turned off to the smoke detectors and one senses trouble, only that detector will sound an alarm when on battery back up. When periodic beeping occurs, the smoke detectors are letting you know its batteries are dead and need replacing – PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING.
Telephone and TV Wiring: Halldorson Home’s residences are pre-wired for telephone service inside. This wiring is covered by your Halldorson Home’s Limited Warranty. Upon hook-up of you telephone service, if there is a problem inside your home, please let us know. We will not, however, be responsible for any charges or repairs made by others to phone wiring inside your home.
Septic systems are not self-maintaining and care should be taken not to put grease, bleach, oil or dairy products in the system. Failure of septic systems due to Homeowner negligence or abuse is not covered under the Halldorson Homes Limited Warranty. Your septic tank should be pumped every 18 months. Septic systems are warranted for (1) year from date of your New Home Orientation.
When a house is under construction, a large amount of moisture is present along with up to 17% moisture content in the lumber itself. As your home is heated it starts to dry out and materials begin to shrink. This leads to cracking and separation of drywall seams, trim caulk joints, hardwood flooring materials and ceramic tile grout joints. We will, on a one-time basis, at your ten-month follow-up, make touch-up repairs to those cracks or separations. Please note that we do not sand and touch-up paint these repairs. It should also be noted that these cracks and separations could be seasonal in that expansion can occur during moist months and shrinkage will reappear during drier times of the year. This is the nature of a wood constructed home. Over time, the wood will absorb less water so the situation becomes less obvious. NOTE: The installation and use of a whole house humidifier not only greatly reduces trim, wall and drywall movement but also makes the home much more comfortable.
If the caulking around your bathtub, shower stall or sink should appear dried out or cracked, remove the old caulking and replace it. It is extremely important that the areas be checked periodically so that any cracks and voids in the tile joints of the wall and floors of shower stalls and bathroom may be watertight. If these areas are not properly maintained, water will, in time, penetrate through the voids and cause considerable damage to the ceiling below and/or adjacent wall areas. This is a Homeowners(s) maintenance responsibility. This situation may develop depending on living habits, maintenance and settling of the house. It is also very important that the shower water be contained in the tub or shower stall when using these facilities, as the water will cause damage to the adjacent tile on the floor and walls. These areas will not withstand a steady saturation of water without suffering some deterioration that will eventually involve considerable maintenance repair. Caulking material can be bought in applicator tubes or in disposable caulking guns at most hardware stores. Check your window and doors often for cracked caulk and then re-caulk them with an exterior silicone caulk. We will re-caulk bathtubs and showers one (1) time only. After that it is a Homeowners(s) maintenance item.
Condensation takes place wherever warm, moist air inside the house comes in contact with a colder surface such as a window, basement wall or an exposed pipe. A perfectly dry basement can have wet walls because moisture in the air condenses on cold basement walls. This may lead you to believe moisture is seeping through the basement walls, that pipes are leaking, or that water is coming through the window.
Condensation also may be reduced by using the vents included in your home such as the exhaust fans in the bathrooms or dryer vents. Also, opening windows and running the furnace fan constantly. Be sure to use these fans. There is not a window manufactured today that is not subject to condensation, Wood, metal, with or without storm windows, even insulating glass will show condensation under the right conditions. When there is a difference in temperature, and the relative humidity is high, condensation will form on the warm side of the dividing partition, be it glass, metal, masonry or wood.
Exterior – While the color fastness of paint under conditions of exposure to sun and weather cannot be guaranteed, wood surfaces will still have the protection of paint. Paint cracks, chipping and mildew may occur that are not attributable to the paint or its application. Variations cannot be controlled. Touch-up paint, when applicable, may vary slightly from the original color and does not necessitate the repainting the entire surface. Halldorson Homes does not warrant vinyl shutters or siding against fading.
Interior – To avoid damaging the interior painted surface of the home be very careful when cleaning the walls. Flat wall paint is used on the ceilings for a low luster finish and Satin finishes are used on the walls to facilitate cleaning as needed yet not be as harsh in appearance as gloss finishes.
A certain amount if expansion and contraction in width is normal due to changing temperature and humidity. Doors will be wider in the summer and in humid periods and narrower during dry weather conditions. Therefore, do not be too hasty in adjusting, planning or cutting your door, as it will usually tend to correct it. If sticking is the problem and it must be corrected, you need only to sand down the edge that binds until the necessary clearance is obtained. Be sure to seal any raw wood to prevent moisture damage. On sliding glass doors and bi-fold doors, minor adjustments may be required. Any track, pivot or guides should be kept free of all paint and dirt. A little silicone spray applied to the tracks will allow the doors to operate smoothly. Be careful not to get any spray on the carpet as it may cause discoloration. These minor door adjustments are the responsibility of the Homeowner.
Garage Doors
Garage doors are adjusted at the time of installation and should be fairly
watertight during normal weather. Occasional driving rain will sometimes cause
minor moisture intrusion. Additional garage door adjustments are the
responsibility of the Homeowner.
During frigid periods, ice can accumulate on the roof causing problems. As the ice starts to melt during the day, it can lie on the shingles and in the gutter. Constant thawing and refreezing can raise roof shingles, which can lead to interior drywall damage. This is not the responsibility of Halldorson Homes.
In the fall and spring of each year, you will need to check all the gutters and downspouts for blockage. As winter approaches, you will need to make sure they are clear to prevent freezing. The extreme weight of debris could also pull the gutter away from the roof. If the gutter/downspout is clogged, it will cause them to overflow, running down the face of the house creating a situation for a possible leak. It can also contribute to ice dams. Gutters may overflow during periods of heavy rain. It is the Homeowners responsibility to keep gutter and downspouts free of all debris.
If you have a splash blocks, they will sit directly under the downspouts, their purpose is to catch the water running out of the downspouts and carry the water away from the house. Halldorson Home’s policy is to provide storm water drains that all of the downspouts drain into when ever possible. Please check periodically to make sure the splash blocks are raised up under the downspouts and sloping away from the house. Water collecting in this area is a major cause of basement, or crawl space leaks. It is the Homeowners responsibility to check and adjust your splash blocks.
The drain at the bottom of the areaway goes into a sump pump crock (hole) in the basement floor. When the crock fills to a certain level, the sump pump will start and pump the water outside. The sump pump is electric and if the electricity is shut off, the sump pump will not work. To check the operation of the sump pump, pour 5 gallons of water into the crock. The sump pump should turn on and the water level should drop. Be sure to keep the areaway drain clear of leaves and debris, as this will cause a backup of water, which will overflow into the basement. Damage caused by any overflow will be the responsibility of the Homeowner.
Where conditions have warranted, Halldorson Homes has damp-proofed the underground portions of your foundation to prevent the trace of water from the surrounding ground. Adjusting downspouts and gutters will help carry surface water away from foundations walls. Avoid planting shrubbery too close to the foundation. When doing any work around your foundation, please remember the ground should always slope away from the foundation of the house. During the first year we recommend that you allow the ground to settle and compact itself by avoiding heavy mulching, fancy landscaping, tie walls, decorator bricks or any other items that would trap the water and not allow it to flow freely away from the house. Halldorson Homes will be responsible for filling in of any excessively settled areas around or about the foundation walls only once; thereafter, maintenance of proper grades and swales shall be the Homeowner’s responsibility. Any of the above items could provide for damp or wet basement walls. Note that this warranty does not cover visible dampness on the walls that does not result in the free flow of water onto the floor. Leaks caused by improper landscaping or failure to maintain proper grade are not covered by this warranty. When a deck or patio is installed it can cause some problems. Sometimes water can collect underneath the deck or patio. Please be aware that if any water does collect causing a basement leak, mildew, etc. it shall be the Homeowner’s responsibility. Halldorson Homes will fix or repair a problem if caused only by the original construction – if it is possible to get to the problem. This may necessitate the removal of your deck or patio so we can get to the problem. We are not responsible for structures or plantings added by the homeowner. This warranty does not apply if any person other than Halldorson Homes or their contractors has made any openings or holes of any kind in the basement walls or floors.
Foundation walls are subject to a wide variety of stresses and strains. Because the base of the wall is in the ground, it maintains a fairly constant temperature. However, the top portion extends out of the ground and may be subject to extreme seasonal temperature changes. These changes can cause concrete to expand and contract leading to cracks. Sometimes these cracks can cause leaks but usually they are minor in nature and require no repair. In the event a crack leads to a water problem, Halldorson Homes will repair the crack if the leak occurs in the first year of the warranty. The poured concrete foundation walls of your home are interlaced with reinforcing concrete steel rods called “rebar” so minor cracks in no way affect the structural integrity of your home. Most foundation wall cracks that do not leak are easily repaired with concrete caulk available from any hardware store. Halldorson Homes will not be responsible for any cracks that do not leak.
Due to the inevitable natural settling of foundation backfill soil and the shrinking of concrete foundation walls, we cannot guarantee that you will not experience minor water intrusions during your first year of ownership. If leakage should occur during this time period, we will correct the cracks and or cause of the leak. If any portion of your basement is finished, however, we will NOT be responsible for any damage or repair of any materials including, but not limited to, flooring, drywall, framing and trim materials. Any costs of these repairs may be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Minor cracks in concrete slabs are common and will not affect the overall strength of the floor in any way.
Cracks may appear due to:
a) Temperature changes which create shrinkage
b) Settlement of the ground below the slab, which create stresses and resilient cracks.
Basement floors are warranted for one year only. Cracks exceeding 3/16 inch in width with 1/8 inch in vertical displacement shall be repaired.
Patching or other recommended manner makes these repairs. However, please note that these repairs may not match in color, and we cannot be held responsible if they don’t match.
Basement floors shall be swept and/or vacuum cleaned prior to occupancy. Some deep discoloration may occur (usually brown mud stains) if the basement was muddy during the time of construction (a normal occurrence). The stains are usually very deep and almost permanent and have no negative impact on the quality or durability of your basement floor. Halldorson Homes is not responsible for removing any deep stains or discoloration from any concrete floors or slabs.
Due to certain uncontrollable conditions, it is impossible for Halldorson Homes to prevent cracking, pitting, popping, scaling or spalling in concrete walks, driveways, porches, patios and steps because of the nature of the material. Additionally, because of the variables in the production, drying and curing of concrete work, and the effects of weather, certain discolorations and/or variations in color of concrete may occur; and we cannot be expected to break up concrete and replace it due to the minor variations. Halldorson Homes uses only quality materials and the most accepted and proven methods to assist in the prevention of these events and hereby expressly disclaims and revokes any and all warranties, either express or implied for the above mentioned variables associated with the end result of concrete work. There are some cases over which we have no control, such as sever frost, unequal sub-grade settlement, expansion and contraction, utility ditches and aggravation from the use of salt and/or other chemicals for the melting of ice or snow. While homeowners themselves may not apply salt and/or chemicals intentionally to the concrete surfaces, they are brought in from the highways under automobiles and in melting, drops onto the surface of the concrete causing scaling.
It is the policy of Halldorson Homes not to replace or repair concrete walks, driveways, porches, patios and steps with minor cracks, discoloration or scaling caused by weather conditions. Cracks 1/8 inch in width will be repaired by surface patching if they occur within the first year of occupancy.
When winter weather approaches, with it come the hazards of snow covered and icy walks. The best protection is through the removal of snow and ice as promptly as possible. If a thin layer of ice cannot be removed, use fertilizer to melt the snow and ice. It is safe for concrete surfaces and will nourish the surrounding grass, shrubs and trees. Sand or kitty litter is another good product use.
Be sure to provide an outdoor mat to prevent the fertilizer from being tracked into your home. Another mat just inside the front door will give added protection for your foyer floor.
DO NOT USE SALT in any form. Repeated thawing and freezing with salt and chemicals can damage concrete, brick, mortar and macadam. Salt will also kill the grass, shrubs and trees.
Attic – Attic spaces are commonly used for storage, but you should be careful to not strain your attic floor too much. Also, attics are susceptible to extremes of heat and cold because attic walls usually are not insulated. Materials stored in attics should not be combustible or perishable under these extreme temperatures.
Halldorson Homes does not cover any structural damage to the truss system. We do not recommend the use of you attic for storage, as it was not designed for that reason. Articles stored in attics compress the insulation and reduce its insulation value. The clear area affected by the truss construction and the extremes of the heat and cold above the layers of insulation also make this a reason for not storing items in the attic. Your attic has louvered openings to allow warm moist air to escape. These opening should remain unobstructed all year round. If they are closed, harmful quantities of moisture may accumulate.
Cut-off Valves – There is a cut-off valve at each plumbing fixture, behind all toilets, and under bathroom vanities. There are access panels to the soaking or whirlpool tubs.
Fixtures and Drains – Each plumbing fixture in your home will have a drain trap. This is an S-shaped piece of pipe designed to provide a water barrier between your home and the danger of sewer gas. The traps hold water that prevents the air-borne bacteria and odor of the sewer gas from entering the house. If any fixture is used infrequently, water should be turned on at regular intervals to replace evaporating water and ensure that the barrier remains intact. Traps, because of their shape, are also the point at which the drains are most likely to become clogged.
Drains – If the drainpipe from a tub, sink or shower stops up, first use a plunger. Be sure the rubber cup of the plunger covers the drain opening and the water comes well over the cup edge. Working the plunger up and down rhythmically 10 to 20 times in succession will build up pressure in the pipe and do more good than sporadic, separate plunges. We generally do not recommend drain cleaners, as most are harmful to the pipes and are dangerous to skin and eyes. Use at your own discretion.
Toilets – Never overload your toilet or try to flush disposable diapers, paper towels, napkins, metal objects, dental floss or any materials other than those intended to be flushed, through the toilet, as they most surely will clog the line and cause overflow. We recommend that each Homeowner purchase a toilet plunger to be used in the event there is a stoppage. It is the Homeowner’s responsibility to unclog toilets. If the plunging does not solve the problem, please call the plumber on your contractor list provided to you at move in.
However, if the plumber unclogs the line and no defect was present, there will be a service charge. Toilet seats and covers will be noted on the initial walk-thru as to their condition. These items are excluded from any further warranty past the day of settlement. Leaks in toilets can be attributed to a number of sources. Most toilets have a water chamber, flush valve, overflow pipe, float and ball valve. If the water chamber is leaking, the water may only be condensation forming on the outside of the tank and dripping to the floor. This could be due to high humidity. If water leaks into the bowl through the overflow pipe, try bending the rod so that the float will be closer to the bottom of the tank. Flush the toilet, and if it still leaks, the inlet valve washer probably needs to be replaced. If the water trickles into the bowl but in not coming through the overflow pipe, it is coming through the flush ball valve. The connections between the ball valve and the flushing handle may need aligning so that the ball will drop straight down after the handle has been pushed. A worn ball valve or dirt or rust on the ball seat will let water leak into the bowl. If the ball valve or ball seat is dirty or rusty, clean it. If the ball is worn, replace it.
Faucets – The faucets, like all plumbing with moving parts, are most apt to require repair than non-moving fixtures. Cleaning the aerators will be the most frequent task in maintaining your faucets. An aerator is the threaded piece at the mouth of the faucet. This attachment to the faucet adds proper air to the water as it leaves the faucet, reducing splashing and providing more savings because less water is used. Rinse the washers and screens, replace them in their original order and put the aerator back in the faucet.
Winterizing Pipes - Be sure to disconnect all exterior hoses before the first good frost.
Hot Water Heaters – Your home has an energy efficient hot water heater. This appliance temperature should be set at 120 degrees or less. Be aware that 20 to 25 minutes of back-to-back showers will deplete the supply of hot water. Hot water heaters normally collect small quantities of mineral deposits and dirty water. This can easily be removed by first turning off the gas or electrical supply, then turning off the water intake valve to the heater and opening the valve at the bottom of the heater and allowing the entire tank to dry itself clean. A garden hose can be hooked to the drain to make the process easier. Follow the instructions for relighting the pilot light after you fill up the tank again.
Depending on the size of your home and the location of the water heater, it may take several minutes of running water too get fully heated water to come out of the faucet or tub filler or showerhead.
Noisy Water Pipes- There is a natural tendency for the water pipes to creak and make noise when hot water is first run through them. This is a regular occurrence and cannot be changed. Reducing the water temperature may help somewhat. Water hammer arrestors have been installed on all quick operating valves to absorb the sudden surge of water that can result in pipe knocking. Quick valves are those that supply washers and dishwasher type appliances.
Siding – Cracks or dents in the exterior siding will be repaired by Halldorson Homes only if noted on the New Home Orientation.
Brick or Stone Veneers – Minor discolorations of brick facades may occur due to efflorescence (or leaching out of line deposits naturally contained in some brick materials). Stone veneers, depending on the manufacturer have limits on what they can be cleaned with. Some accept an acid, some don’t. A good pressure wash annually will keep your stone looking new.
Insufficient draw or downdraft – Trees too close to the chimney or high winds can cause down drafts. Some homes are extremely airtight and a window may have to be opened slightly in order to maintain an effective draft. Halldorson Homes will only repair problems caused by improper construction, or design if we were the supplier of the home plans.
Chimney separation from home – Some minor separation is normal and should be expected to within certain guidelines. Halldorson Homes will repair separations in excess of ½ inch in any 10-foot measurement. This is a one year covered item and is not considered a structural item.
Fireplace Bricks – Heat will cause some cracking and should be expected.
Fireplace brick or stone veneer – Some cracking is common and should be expected within certain tolerances. Cracks in brick greater than ¼ inch in width will be repaired by pointing up or patching.
Creosote or resin build-up or creosote seepage through chimney – creosote seepage is caused by the burning of improperly seasoned wood or improper use of the fireplace. Halldorson Homes is only responsible for defects or loss caused by construction code violations.
Fireplace Inserts - Some types of fireplace inserts will alter the performance of standard fireplaces, causing extreme increases in heat in the fore chamber and creosote build-up. Halldorson Homes is not responsible for any damage or loss caused by fireplace inserts or blowers.
Natural Gas Fireplaces – Halldorson Homes will only be responsible for improper installation of a gas-fired unit. Gas units can produce an extreme amount of heat, especially when a blower is present. Be cautious with putting any combustible material close to the fireplace. Proper operation of your homes gas fireplace will be covered at your New Home Orientation.
Ground settlement around the foundation is a normal result of the back-filling process and normally does not disrupt water drainage away from the structure. Halldorson Homes will fill in excessively settled areas around the foundation one time only during the first twelve months but is not responsible for removal or replacement of shrubs, grass, etc.
Poor lot drainage – After normal rainfall, water should not stand in yard within 10 feet of dwelling for more than 48 hours. These standards will vary upward due to frost, snow or saturation. Halldorson Homes is responsible for establishing proper grades and swales; after that the purchaser is responsible for maintaining them.
Halldorson Homes will install the initial seed or sod on your graded lot under the prescribed accepted practices of the area to assist you in establishing a lawn. The ultimate care and maintenance of the lawn and shrubs is the responsibility of the Homeowner. It is very important that you keep the ground moist at all times until the grass has established roots and is about 3” high. This is especially vital if the lawn has been seeded in the summer months. The lawn will require reseeding, fertilizing and watering by the Homeowner over the first year or two of its life in order to become well established. Existing soil on the lot will be used for the lot. Additional soil or topsoil can and will be installed as needed with options for extra depth.
Halldorson Homes will install only the initial seeding for your lawn and will not be responsible for adverse weather conditions or failure on your part to provide the proper care and maintenance after you settle on your home. These weather conditions include heavy rainstorms that wash out seeding and soil and drought conditions which dry up the seed while it is germinating. Splash blocks should be kept beneath the gutters to prevent wash outs in these areas.
Removal of dead trees, branches or undergrowth in undisturbed areas of the lot shall be the responsibility of the homeowner. It is our policy to provide the initial ingredients (seed or sod, straw and fertilizer), which if properly maintained, will produce a viable stand of grass. A viable stand of grass is not 100% coverage. Your work in properly maintaining your lawn is most important.
Some important tips are:
a) Do not rake up straw on a newly seeded lawn. It is there to trap moisture and help seeds to germinate
b) If the wind blows the straw around and leaves bare spots, re-spread the straw over those spots. They will in turn show quicker growth.
c) Even though nothing is better than rainfall, water your grass as much as possible. It is essential for germination. Watering should be done with the sprinkler. This will insure deeper, stronger roots and grass. Soil should remain moist between watering. Water early in the day, not in the evenings. Evening dampness promotes bacterial and fungi growth, which is detrimental to a healthy yard.
d) Your first cutting should not take place before the grass exceeds 3 inches in height. Otherwise, the grass will be sparse and spindly.
e) Fertilize your lawn at least 3 to 5 times a year with a good slow-release fertilizer. Fall fertilization offers the greatest advantages because it promotes growth and thickening of the roots, creating a healthier lawn. This is also the best time to over seed as the weed season is usually over. The best time is Labor Day to mid October. In the spring, when temperatures are still cool enough to resist top growth, those stored nutrients encourage root growth.
Please be aware that it takes time to grow a viable stand of grass in swale areas (designated areas where water flows off of lot) as soil, seed and nutrients are more easily washed away, especially during rainy periods. Erosion will occur and is to be expected. Please recognize the need to be patient and to provide the necessary care for your lawn. In due time, as the grass grows over these areas, you will not need to contend with these erosion problems. Your lawn will take at least two growing seasons (Fall and Spring) to fully develop. If your lawn was seeded in the fall your lawn will not fully grow and thicken until the following fall. Because grading is not an exact science, we reserve the right to make minor grading changes to your side yards if we build your neighbors house. If we disturb your yard, we will reseed the disturbed areas and will minimize any inconvenience.
Maintenance for Newly Installed Lawns:
Your new lawn has been installed by professionals using the best practices available for new home construction. The eventual establishment of a dense, healthy lawn will depend upon the care and maintenance given to the lawn by the homeowner.
Below are our guidelines on lawn care:
Erosion:
Possible deficiency: Graded and seeded soil can wash, erode or hold water until grass takes root.
Performance Standard: Initial grading, seeding, fertilizing and straw are applied only to areas disturbed by home construction.
Halldorson Homes cannot be responsible for adverse weather conditions such as excessive or insufficient rain, extreme temperatures or unusually high winds.
Homeowners Responsibility: You are responsible for enduring that the straw remains intact on the lawn to prevent erosion. The straw should remain intact until after the first mowing.
Lawn Growth:
Possible Deficiency: Grass fails to grow or grows poorly.
Performance Standard: Initial grading, seeding, fertilizing and straw are applied only to areas disturbed by home construction.
Halldorson Homes Responsibilities: Halldorson Homes cannot be responsible for adverse weather conditions such as excessive or insufficient rain, extreme temperatures or unusually high winds.
Homeowners Responsibilities: The ultimate care and maintenance of the lawn is the responsibility of the homeowner. The lawn will require watering, fertilizing and reseeding during the first year. This will be a continuing maintenance task for the life of your home but it is critical during the first year.
Care/Maintenance:
Water is the most important requirement for the establishment of a new lawn. GRASS WILL NOT GROW WITHOUT WATER!! Watering will be critical during the hot, dry summer months to prevent dieback of desirable grass and the take over of undesirable weeds. Manually seeded areas require that the straw be moist at all times w/ proper watering at regular intervals. Do not refrain from watering your lawn in hopes that forecasted rain will do it for you. Your failure to water properly will result in a damaged or dead lawn for which Halldorson Homes will not be responsible.
If you choose to provide the lawn maintenance your self, you should have the soil tested to determine what deficiencies exist so you will not be treating the soil incorrectly. If you have any technical questions about your lawn, please contact the Landscape Agent provided on your contractor list.
While your house is under construction, care was taken to save trees and to avoid injuring the remaining trees. However, trees are fragile and changes in the water table, grade and compaction of the roots may weaken your trees.
Despite our efforts to leave only healthy trees, some may eventually die. Halldorson Homes will not be responsible for removing dead trees, brush or debris outside of the area of disturbance before or after settlement. This is a Homeowner’s responsibility, as we cannot guarantee continued tree life.
All wood materials are subject to contraction and expansion due to humidity and drying out of the product. This will usually lead to some separation of wood trim from walls and/or floors. Halldorson Homes will re-caulk separated trim one time only either at the 1month or 10month service inspection. Unfortunately bowed walls may result because of the movement of wall studding. Halldorson Homes will repair one and one time only any wall with a bow of more than 1/3 inch for any 32inch measurement or 3/8 inch within a 4-foot measurement (floor to ceiling or wall-to-wall). The installation and use of a whole house humidifier not only greatly reduces trim, wall and drywall movement but also makes the home much more comfortable. Passage doors from room to room will have an opening between the bottom of the door and the floor not to exceed 1 & ½ inches. Closet doors shall not have an opening in the same area of more than 2 inches.
Cracks between hardwood floorboards – some separation is normal and should be expected within certain tolerances. Separations exceeding 1/8 inch will be repaired by filling or replacing at the option of Halldorson Homes.
Nail/Staple pops through resilient flooring – only nail/staple-pops, which have broken through the floor will be repaired or replaced at the sole discretion of Halldorson Homes. (Halldorson Homes is not responsible for discontinued patterns or colors or for variations in color).
Ridges/indentations in sub-flooring – minor ridges or indentation are common and should be expected within certain tolerances. Ridges or indentations in excess of 1/8 inch (measured with a straight edge perpendicularly over the right and the deflection measure no more than 3 inches from the ridge) will be repaired and affected floor covering will be repaired or replaced (not responsible for discontinued patterns or colors or for variations in color).
Gaps in seams of resilient flooring – minor gaps are common and should be expected within certain tolerances. Gaps in excess of 1/8 inch will be repaired or replaced at the affected area (not responsible for discontinued patterns or colors or for variations in color).
Gaps in carpet seams will sometimes be very apparent and should be expected within certain tolerances. Seam separations greater than 1/8 inch shall be repaired or re-stretched once so that seams are less visible.
HOMEOWNERS MAINTENANCE LIST
This list is furnished to assist new homeowners in recognizing those types of maintenance activities. These are not warranted and should be handled by the homeowner in order to properly protect his/her/their new home. The list below is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all normal homeowner maintenance requirements.
1. Replacing faucet washers beyond thirty days after settlement.
2. Cleaning sump or ejector pumps and crocks (where applicable).
3. Checking circuit breakers.
4. Changing light bulbs or fluorescent tubes.
5. Repair or replacement of threshold or weather stripping.
6. Repair of glass glazing.
7. Lawn maintenance including fertilization, raking and re-seeding bare spots, adding soil to low spots due to ground settlement and erosion.
8. Damaged concrete or asphalt due to the use of salt, deicers as well as gas or oil leaks.
9. Grout or caulking around tubs, sinks or vanities.
10. Normal concrete cracks.
11. Furnace filter changes or cleaning of coils.
12. Furnace blower motor lubrication,
13. Flushing hot water tank.
14. Condensation and icing during cold periods.
15. Any repair of material failure caused by homeowner alterations. i.e. a roof or siding leak caused by antenna installation.
16. Removing foreign objects from gutters and downspouts. Rain gutter overflows against foundation walls well erode grading adjacent to the foundation and may cause basement or crawlspace leaks.
17. Re-caulking of interior and exterior joints due to normal weather.
18. Adjusting bi-fold door units.
19. Repair of minor cracking of wall surfaces, trim, etc. due to normal settlement or normal material shrinkage.
20. All grading (Except major re-grading) around the house foundation resulting from normal consolidation of backfilled soils.
21. Shrubbery or tree replacement.
22. Dead tree removal.
Certain warranty items are often misunderstood or misinterpreted. In an effort to effectively clarify your warranty coverage, we hereby offer a more detailed explanation of the following items:
RESILIENT (VINYL) FLOORING: Although a durable and economical form of floor covering, resilient flooring has certain characteristics, which cannot be warranted. This flooring can be dented, cut or ripped by sharp objects. Any minor floor variations will “telegraph” through the flooring. Over time, seams and ridges may appear where glue has loosened or sub-flooring has contracted or expanded. Halldorson Homes will not warrant any vinyl flooring beyond the time of pre-settlement inspection.
HARDWOOD FLOORING: Hardwood floors have a durable polyurethane finish but are not totally immune from scratches, warps, shrinking, squeaking, fading or denting. Halldorson Homes will not warrant any hardwood flooring beyond the time of pre-settlement inspection.
DRYWALL: Although we screw our drywall, the wood frame of your home is subject to movement due to expansion and contraction of the wood materials. We will Spackle
nail-pops, and cracks specifically due to settlement on a ONE TIME ONLY basis at your
10-month follow-up. Halldorson Homes does not sand and paint drywall repairs. Issues concerning the quality and or appearance of drywall finish work must be addressed prior to settlement when contractors responsible for the work can come back to correct their work before retainages are released.
FINAL GRADING AND SEEDING: We cannot guarantee soil or weather conditions. Once your yard has been final graded and seeded and approved by you at time of your New Home Orientation, Halldorson Homes WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EROSION OR ADDITIONAL GRADING, FILLING OR SEEDING.
DEAD TREES OR SHRUBS: While we attempt to preserve as many existing trees and shrubs as possible, invariably some trees or shrubs will die at some time after settlement. Halldorson Homes WILL NOT GUARANTEE THE SURVIVAL, REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF ANY TREES OR SHRUBS. There will be some vendor guarantees regarding plantings available to you.
ADDITIONAL GRADING, TREE REMOVAL OR TOPSOIL INSTALLATION: Limits of lot clearing is determined by county or city regulations and community architectural guidelines. Additional grading after initial lot clearing, tree removal, fill dirt or topsoil installation ordered by the purchaser(s) SHALL BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PURCHASER(s).
WOOD TRIM SEPARATION AND COLOR VARIATION: Like all wood products, trim materials are subject to cracking and separation. Clear finished trim such as oak railings and shoe moldings will often have fairly distinct color variations from one piece of wood to another. Halldorson Homes WILL RE-CAULK SEPARATED TRIM ONE TIME ONLY AND WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COLOR VARIATIONS IN CLEAR FINISHED WOOD PRODUCTS.
DRIVEWAYS: Once your driveway has been installed and approved by you at your New Home Orientation, Halldorson Homes WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EROSION OR ADDITIONAL GRADING, and FILLING OR REPLACEMENT.
PRESSURE TREATED DECKING ON PORCHES OR SUNDECKS: Like all wood materials, pressure treated lumber is subject to warpage, shrinkage and fading. This is a natural characteristic of wood especially in an exterior setting. Liquid wood preservatives assist in controlling this process but will not totally eliminate the problem. Once approved by you at your New Home Orientation, Halldorson Homes WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY WARPAGE, SHRINKAGE OR DISCOLORATION OF ANY PRESSURE-TREATED WOOD PRODUCTS.
WE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE WARRANTY COVERAGES AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE HALLDORSON HOMES LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY.
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