New Home Warranty Guide

Transcription

1 RW Custom Homes Expert Craftsmanship and Superior Quality New Home Guide 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE # INTRODUCTION...2 ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PROGRAM. 3 SUBMITTING A PUNCH LIST. 4 COMPLETION OF PUNCH LIST REPAIRS...5 EMERGENCY SERVICES.6 INTERIOR WARRANTY COVERAGE INTERIOR WOODWORK...7 INTERIOR DOORS..8 DRYWALL...9 PAINT. 10 FLOORS 11,12,13,14 PLUMBING..15 APPLIANCES 16 WATER HEATER 17 HEATING, AIR-CONDITIONING, AND VENTILATION...18 WINDOWS..19 KITCHEN CABINETS AND BATHROOM VANITIES..20 GLASS SHOWER DOORS.21 SLIDING GLASS DOORS..22 FOUNDATION WALLS AND CONCRETE FLOORS 23 FIREPLACES.24 EXTERIOR WARRANTY COVERAGE ROOFS, GUTTERS, AND DOWNSPOUTS..25 BUILDING EXTERIOR...26 GARAGE DOORS..27 CONCRETE WALKS, STEPS AND PORCHES.28 ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS.29 GRADING AND SEEDING 30 ADDITIONAL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS...31 CONCLUSION 32 LIST OF SUBCONTRACTORS DAY PUNCH LIST FORM.34 1-YEAR PUNCH LIST FORM.35 NOTE TO ALL HOMEOWNERS..36 2

3 INTRODUCTION In order to help make the transition into your new home as carefree as possible, we have prepared this homeowners manual. This manual contains instructions and tips for the proper care of your home and your responsibilities as a homeowner. It also includes the scope and coverage of your one-year limited warranty program. Please take the time to read this manual in its entirety. This manual defines the warranty responsibilities to you and its responsibilities to your home. It is vital that homeowners perform the required maintenance. This manual will help you get acquainted with your new home and help protect your investment. It is our goal to make to make the warranty process simple for you and our subcontractors. This warranty guide will help enable us to have our subcontractors make one or two visits to your home during the first year of occupancy. 3

4 ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PROGRAM The builder s one-year limited warranty covers only some of the items relating to the structure, construction, workmanship, and quality of materials used in your home. The one-year limited warranty is for the term of one year and starts at the day of settlement. This is not an insurance policy nor a maintenance agreement, but a definition of what the homeowners have a right to expect in terms of warranties. Failure to follow the homeowner s responsibility guidelines could void applicable parts of this warranty. Please be advised if structural and or cosmetic changes are made to your home during this one-year warranty period and those changes are not completed by RW Custom Homes or our subcontractors, your warranty will become void. Exclusions: This limited warranty excludes the following: 1. Loss or damage which the homeowner has not taken timely actions to minimize or prevent. 2. Loss or damage caused by or resulting indirectly from accidents, theft, falling objects, aircraft, vandalism, windstorms, hail, floods, or any other circumstances that are deemed abnormal. 3. Normal wear and tear. 4. Loss or damage caused by termites, insects, rodents, or any other animals. 5. Bodily injury or damage to personal property. 6. Any condition which does not result in actual damage to the home, including but not limited to: A) Inhabitability or health risks due to the presences or consequences of electromagnetic fields, mold, or other pollutants, and contaminants; B) The presence of hazardous or toxic materials. 7. Any damage to the extent it is caused or made worse by: A) Negligence, improper maintenance, or improper operation by anyone other than RW Custom Homes, their employees, or subcontractors. B) Failure by the homeowners or by anyone other than RW Custom Homes, their employees, or subcontractors to comply with the warranty requirements of manufacturers of appliances, fixtures, and items of equipment. C) Failure by the homeowner to give notice to RW Custom Homes of any defects within a reasonable time. D) Changes of the grading of the ground by anyone other than RW Custom Homes, their employees, or subcontractors. 8. Any defect in, caused by, or resulting from materials or work supplied by anyone other than RW Custom Homes, their employees, or subcontractors. 4

5 SUBMITTING A PUNCH LIST During the first year of your new home you are provided two opportunities to submit a punch list, if necessary. With the exception of emergencies we provide punch list repairs 30 days after your settlement date and at your 1-year settlement anniversary. At the end of this manual you will find two punch list forms to aid you in making any requests for repairs. These forms must be sent to the main office by their deadlines and clearly describe any requested service(s). The deadlines for submission of punch lists forms are as follows: 30-DAY PUNCH LIST: The 30 day punch list is due no later than 30 days from the date of your settlement. For example, if you settled on your home on Monday April 16, 2007, then your 30 day punch list will be due no later than Wednesday, May 16, YEAR PUNCH LIST: The 1-year punch list is due no later than 30 days prior to the one year anniversary of your settlement date. For example, if you settled on your home on April 16, 2007, then your 1-year punch list would be due by March 16, The reason that your 1-year punch list is due earlier than your actual anniversary date is due to our subcontractors warranties expiring at the end of your one year. By having the repairs requested before the one-year date, we can ensure that all necessary repairs, under warranty, are covered. If you have misplaced your forms, you can request new forms by contacting our main office at or by ing our Manager at walker@rwcustom.net. 5

6 COMPLETION OF PUNCH LIST REPAIRS Upon receipt of your punch list and verifying that the repairs requested are covered under this warranty, a representative from RW Custom Homes will contact you for an initial inspection appointment. After the inspection, our subcontractors will be in contact with you to make the requested home repairs that are covered in this warranty. It is important to note that we will not enter your home unless an adult is present. You must make arrangements to have yourself or another adult present at all times while work is being done inside your home. Please contact our office in advance should you need to cancel any appointments. In the event that we do not receive a response to several attempts made to contact you for your repairs, a letter will be sent to your home explaining that we are trying to schedule your repairs. If you do not contact the office in a timely fashion, we will assume that you no longer wish to have these repairs completed. This same policy applies to any of our subcontractors that may need to contact you to schedule repairs. 6

7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Emergency service can be obtained during normal business hours by calling the appropriate subcontractor, our warranty manager, or our main office. For purposes of this warranty, emergencies shall be limited to: 1. Plumbing leak. 2. Roof leak. 3. Electrical problem. 4. Heating and Air-conditioning issue. 5. Exterior doors not locking or closing properly. A list of our subcontractors and their phone numbers is included with this booklet. 7

8 INTERIOR WARRANTY COVERAGE INTERIOR WOODWORK Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Wood is an organic building material and will expand and contract as the weather changes. It is affected by heat and cold, and may shrink under conditions of low humidity and expand when humidity is high. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the problem, keeping the house at an even temperature and humidity will help. Joints in molding and joints between molding and adjacent surfaces (door casings, miters, base to walls, casing to walls, chair rails to walls, etc.) should not have gaps exceeding 1/8 in width. Defective joints by this standard will be repaired by the builder, only during the first year of the warranty. Caulking is an acceptable repair. --Restoration of repaired areas to any condition other than to the original surface supplied to your home. --Normal homeowner s maintenance (i.e.: caulking or cracks less than 1/8 in width). 8

9 INTERIOR DOORS Description and Homeowner Responsibilities During the summer months there is usually very little trouble with interior doors, but winter heating may change the moisture content of the wood, causing temporary warping. Interior slab doors and bifold doors often stick or warp due to various weather conditions. It is the homeowner s responsibility to apply wax to the tracks or jamb as required, to prevent sticking. Use graphite on door locks and do not allow the door to be slammed. Some doors will have hinge-pin type doorstops and caution must be used to prevent the door from being opened too wide or with too much force. This would cause damage to both the doorstop and the door, which will not be covered by this warranty. Interior doors are warrantied for one year after closing on your home to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. We will repair or replace doors that become inoperable, have splits, or cracks wider than 1/8 or that warps more than 1/8, measured diagonally from corner to corner, during the warranty period only. --Repair or replacement of doors which warp less than 1/8, measured diagonally from corner to corner, during the warranty period. --Glass is not warranted by builder unless noted on original walkthrough report. -- Damage due to neglect or misuse by the customer. 9

10 DRYWALL Description and Homeowner Responsibilities The interiors of your walls are constructed of drywall installed over wood. Due to the nature of organic materials, some contraction and expansion may occur. This shrinking and swelling can cause nail pops and settlement cracks during the drying out or settling of your home. This is normal. We suggest that repairs for such occurrences in the drywall should be done once your home has gone through this drying process (approximately one year). Slight defects and irregularities on the finished surface of interior walls are normal. Obvious defects such as blisters in tape, significant trowel marks, seam lines from tape, and nail pops, will be repaired by the builder with your one-year punch list items. The builder will also repair any area where cracks due to settlement are greater than 1/8. 10

11 PAINT Description and Homeowner Responsibilities The walls and woodwork of your home have been primed and finished with premium quality paints and the colors should be uniform throughout the house. Some areas may tend to flash or have variations in color or texture under certain lighting conditions during certain times of the day. Such conditions are usually the result of normal touch-up practices during the finishing of your home and are acceptable under the terms of this warranty. Stained and varnished woodwork should have a warm, pleasing appearance, but will contain variations in color ranging from light to very dark. While an attempt is made to control the color of wood being installed, some degree of color variation is to be expected. Never attempt to clean your walls, trim, or woodwork with abrasives or solvent based cleaners. Natural interior finishes on woodwork should not crack, peel, flake, check or otherwise deteriorate during the first year warranty period. If they do, the builder will retouch the affected areas, matching the color as closely as possible. The builder will retouch inadequately painted interior surfaces (paint too thin to cover the original surface) of specific walls, ceilings, and trim surfaces. --Any surfaces that have been repainted or modified by the homeowner or anyone other than the builder. 11

12 FLOORS Description and Homeowners Responsibilities As wood contracts and expands, it will cause many conditions that contribute to floor squeaks. The combination of metal joist hangars and wood also are a contributing factor to squeaks. Floor squeaks and pops are considered normal and will appear and disappear with changes in weather conditions. Floor squeaks and pops are not covered by this warranty unless otherwise stated by the builder. VINYL FLOORING Homeowner Responsibilities Your new home may be equipped with vinyl floors in the bathroom(s), kitchen, foyer, and utility room. We would like to make you aware of some of the nuisances that may occur with these floors. The following are three troubles which occasionally are experienced: 1. Raised staples - These are caused by movements of the floor because of shrinkage and deflections. We have attempted to minimize the problems by using special nails and gluing the sub-floor. 2. Seam lifting or peaking - This is caused after installation by water seeping into mastic through a seam. It usually occurs in the bathroom near the tub or toilet. As part of routine maintenance you must calk tub and floor joints with a compound made for this purpose. (We recommend DAP Acrylic Latex Caulk with Silicone ). Precautionary measures should be taken to prevent spilling water on the floor from baths and showers. Spilled water should be cleaned up immediately and any damage from water is not covered by this warranty. 3. Ridging of Underlayment - We have sanded or filled the underlayment joints to minimize the possible problems of ridges showing through. Ridging still may occur and is unpreventable because of the necessity of using pieces of underlayment. Please note: Vinyl Floors can be permanently damaged by sharp objects. Using casters will help protect your floor against damage which may be caused by sharp objects or furniture legs. Any nicks or cuts in the vinyl flooring that are noted on the initial walkthrough report, will be repaired by the builder, but become the responsibility of the homeowner after occupancy. All vinyl floor coverings are warrantied to be free of defect in material and workmanship. However if defects are not noted on your original walkthrough, we will not warranty these items. -Raised staples which have not broken the surface of the floor covering. -Seam lifting or separation of flooring arising from water spillage such as that which may occur around the tub, shower, or kitchen areas. -Damage arising from sharp objects such as spike heel shoes, furniture s legs with sharp edges or small areas at the bottom, roller skates, animals, and/or children. -Precise matching o any vinyl floor repairs. -Cutting or replacing pieces of defective floor area is an acceptable repair. 12

13 CERAMIC TILE: Description and Homeowners Responsibilities Your new home may include ceramic tile floors. Care should be taken to avoid dropping heavy objects on these surfaces, since cracked or broken tiles can result. Hairline cracks may develop in the grouting between floor tiles due to normal settling; and cracking may develop between ceramic floor tile and bathtub for similar reasons. Both can be repaired by simply filling with a grouting available from any hardware store. The builder will replace any broken floor stone/tiles which are noted on the walkthrough report. Tiles damaged after occupancy will not be covered under this warranty. Cracks in the grout between the stones or tiles greater than 1/8 will be repaired by the builder, but cracks 1/8 or less are normal and will not be repaired unless the adjacent stones or tiles become loose. Any cracks, chips, or other defects will be repaired by the builder if noted on the walkthrough report, but become the responsibility of the homeowner after settlement on the home. -Damage, including cracked or broken tiles arising from dropping heavy objects. -Hairline cracks which may develop in grouting between tiles. -Any separation in the grout such as that which may occur between bathtub and ceramic floor tile. CERAMIC AND PORCELAIN Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Due to normal shrinkage that occurs as grouting dries, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to regrout cracks in the joints of ceramic tile located around the tub and shower areas. It is also the homeowner s responsibility to re-caulk as needed, those areas where ceramic tile meets drywall surfaces. This must be done periodically to maintain the integrity of the tile surrounds, and is the responsibility of the homeowner throughout the life of the home. He builder will not be responsible for damage resulting from improperly maintained grout and caulk joints in the tub, shower, and kitchen areas. It is also the responsibility of the homeowner to refrain from using abrasive cleaners on these surfaces. Only manufacture-approved, non-abrasive cleaners should be used on countertops, ceramic tile, sinks, bathtubs, and appliances. Loose and/or cracked tiles not damaged by lack of maintenance or negligence of the homeowner will be re-secured or replaced by the builder within the first year of the warranty. (Discontinued patterns or color variations in ceramic tile will not be the builder s responsibility). -Chipped or nicked ceramic tiles; nicked or dented porcelain surfaces not listed on the walkthrough report. -Damages to the surface areas caused by abrasive cleaners. 13

14 CARPETING Description and Homeowners Responsibilities The carpeting in the primary living areas of your home has been professionally installed. Carpeting comes in standard widths and seaming of the carpeting is unavoidable in installation. Every effort is made to limit the number of seams and to locate them as unobtrusively as possible. Nevertheless, seams can be noticed, especially when one is looking for them. Seams tend to show more in flat, evenpile carpeting than in shag carpeting, and become less noticeable over time. In certain instances, your carpet may appear to be loose, for reasons other than faulty installation. Often this condition is due to an increase in humidity. Carpet comes in continuous and non-continuous fiber. Non-continuous fiber will fill up your vacuum bags during the first several cleanings. This is normal and not a defect in the carpet. Following these useful maintenance tips will help your carpet remain beautiful for as long as possible: 1. Have your carpet professionally cleaned periodically. The frequency of cleaning depends on the type of yarn and the color of carpeting (light colors soil sooner than dark colors), the size of your family and the amount of dirt tracked in. Steam cleaning is hard on carpet and often results in the heat set twist coming out, thereby resulting in permanent damage to the pile. Usually conventional shampooing is less harsh. 2. When cleaning spots, do not rub the spot, but blot it clean with warm water and or as suggested by the manufacturer. 3. If you prefer not to wear shoes, we recommend that you wear socks or bedroom slippers when walking on your new carpet. This will prevent the oils in the skin on the bottoms of your feet from getting in the carpet fibers. Wall to wall carpet installed by the builder will be re-secured should it come loose or separate as its point of attachment or re-stretched if it should stretch excessively. If necessary this repair will be done during the first year of warranty. -Precise matching of your carpet to the carpet sample (dye lots in carpeting vary slightly between batches of manufactured carpet). -Seams in carpeting which are reasonably visible. -Reasonably loose carpeting arising from factors such as humidity, normal wear and tear or from moving/dragging furniture across room and/or pulling carpet back to install T.V. cable across a room. -Fading of carpet due to sunlight or stains of any kind once the home is occupied. 14

15 Hardwood Floors Description and Homeowners Responsibilities Hardwood is often installed in our homes. It is important to remember that real hardwood floors expand and contract depending on humidity and temperature. All hardwood floors have the potential to be dented and scratched. It is the homeowner s responsibility to ensure that dents ad scratches are avoided. Hardwood can also discolor due to exposure to sunlight. When cleaning your wood floors, do not use excess amounts of water. Following these useful maintenance tips will help your carpet remain beautiful for as long as possible: 1. Use a humidifier to regulate the changes in humidity. 2. Do not use harsh chemicals or steamers to clean the wood. Harsh chemicals and steam cleaners can take off the wood finish or damage the sheen of the wood. Any hardwood floors that have manufacturer defects will be warranted by the installer. Defects such as squeaky plans due to improper installation, discoloring in stain, and flawed planks will be warranted. Any unfilled nail holes or non-caulked thresholds will be refilled or repaired by the installer. -Gaps due to neglect by the homeowner. -Any water damage not noted in the original walkthrough. -Any dents, scratches, or marks not noted in the original walkthrough. 15

16 PLUMBING Description and Homeowners Responsibilities We ask that you thoroughly inspect all plumbing fixtures in your home during your walkthrough. Any chips or other damage must be noted at that time. Single lever faucets have been used in many areas. These faucets usually require little or no maintenance. Please note, however, that faucets may leak or drip due to worn or defective washers. Care should be taken to close the faucets just hard enough to shut off the flow of water. If closed too forcefully, the washer may be cut. Washer replacement is the responsibility of the homeowner and is part of normal homeowner maintenance. Following these additional suggestions will help prevent any possible inconveniences with your plumbing: 1. Do not flush diapers, disposable napkins, or any other foreign material down your toilets. The builder does not warranty clogged toilets or sinks. 2. Never pour grease, oil, paint, or thinner into the garbage disposal unit or other drains. 3. Never step into a bathtub or shower with shoes on. Shoe soles carry hundreds of gritty particles which can scratch the surface. 4. Do not use plumbing fixtures as receptacles for photographic or developing solution. Developer stains are permanent. Your garbage disposal, if installed, is equipped with a built-in circuit breaker. The reset button is usually on the bottom of the unit under the sink. You should check this button before calling for assistance. Your garbage disposal also has a manual wrench that can be used to help unblock foreign material. Your owner s manual will guide you in how to use this wrench and cover all safety features you should follow before clearing any items. If pipes leak or break as a result of defective materials or workmanship, the builder will make the necessary repairs. These systems have been designed and installed to meet all approved building, plumbing, and health codes. Conditions beyond the builder s control which disrupt the water supply, eliminate the source of water supply, or cause the pipes to break/leak are not covered by this warranty. Leaks that occur during times other than normal business hours require the homeowner to immediately shut off the main water supply to avoid any further water damage. -Leaking or dripping faucets arising from worn or defective washers. -Visible defects other than those noted on the walkthrough report. -Any whirlpool bath, garbage disposal, water heater, or sump pump installed in your home. (These items, to the extent present, are warrantied and serviced by the manufacturer, installer, and/or supplier.) 16

17 APPLIANCES Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Your appliances have been selected for ease of use and durability. Should you require service for your appliances, please consult your warranty manual (provided by the manufacturer) for the appropriate contact information. The builder does not provide warranty or scheduling of service on appliances. As stated above, appliances are warranted by their manufacturers. 17

18 WATER HEATER Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Your water heater is installed with a pressure relief valve to relieve excess pressure in the tank due to high water temperature. When the relief valve is operating, it may appear the tank is leaking; however it may be merely releasing excess pressure. Water heaters normally collect a small amount of dirt and scale in the bottom of the water tank and should be flushed out every six months using the hose connection at the bottom of the tank. We recommend the homeowner hire a licensed plumber to do this. If a gas water heater is installed, the pilot light may go out due to a drop in pressure or dirt in the gas main. Please review your selections to determine whether you have a gas or electric water heater. The builder will warranty problems that occur within your one year warranty period. However, if the plumber is called to address a concern and discovers the resulting repairs are due to negligence by the homeowner, then that homeowner will be charged the trip/labor fee as well as the cost of the repair and/or replacement of the unit. 18

19 HEATING, AIR-CONDITIONING, AND VENTILATION Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Your home is furnished with forced air wall heaters and includes and air-conditioning system. The following points are suggested in case of any difficulties you may encounter. Before calling for services, please check the following: 1. Check your circuit breaker. 2. If you are not receiving the heat distribution you desire, be certain that all room registers and dampers are open. 3. In many instances insufficient heat is caused by dirty air filters. Filters should be cleaned or replaced regularly. Forced air wall heaters should be blown out on a regular basis. 4. Close doors in rooms to heat just portions of the house when using forced wall heaters. The forced air wall heater should provide enough heat to provide an inside temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit measured in the center of the room at a height of five feet above the floor. The degree settings on the temperature control are estimate approximate and are not covered by this warranty. The builder will warranty problems that occur within your one year warranty period. However, if a technician comes out to address a concern and learns that the cause of the problem is due to homeowner negligence then that homeowner will be charged the trip/labor fee as well as the cost of the repair and/or replacement of the unit. 19

20 WINDOWS Description and Homeowners Responsibilities The windows in your home may be taken out for ease of cleaning and repair. The windows have seepage holes and during windy times dust and dirt may accumulate in the tracks. Use a vacuum attachment to clean the tracks on a regular basis. This warranty does not cover broken glass unless noted on the original walkthrough report. Window screens are not warrantied against damage unless noted on the original walkthrough report. These windows are manufactured to withstand 30mph winds. If the winds become stronger you may feel drafts or experience leakage around your window sills. This will not be warranted by the builder. Windows and skylights will collect condensation in their interior surfaces when high humidity within the home turns into water on the colder window or skylight surface. The homeowner is responsible for controlling interior temperatures and humidity levels in order to avoid condensation. Draperies and blinds should be left open to encourage air circulation and even temperatures during periods of cold weather and high interior humidity. Under this warranty, no action on the part of the builder is required. If windows do not operate as they are designed to, they will be repaired and/or adjusted by the builder to operate properly. When extreme temperature differences and/or high humidity levels occur, condensation and/or frost will collect on interior window surfaces. Unless condensation and/or frost are the result of a faulty window or faulty window installation, the builder will not make any adjustment or repairs. -Broken glass or damaged screens not listed on the original walkthrough report. -Damage associated with leakages or drafts due to winds in excess of 30 mph are not warranted. -Condensation or frost on window or skylight. 20

21 KITCHEN CABINETS AND BATHROOM VANITIES Description and Homeowner Responsibilities The cabinets in your home are factory finished and should be cared for as suggested by the manufacturer. Care should be taken to avoid overloading cabinets with excessive weight, and to make sure standing water is not left sitting on or in the cabinets. If a water leak occurs, it is the homeowner s responsibility to keep water from pooling in the cabinets. If water damage occurs due to standing water, the builder will not be responsible. Under normal use, if kitchen cabinet drawers, doors, and other operating parts do not function properly, the builder will replace or repair them as necessary. The builder will repair or replace kitchen and vanity drawer fronts and/or doors which have warped more than ¼. Doors, drawer fronts, rails, and/or stiles will be repaired or replaced if they crack or split apart under normal use. Scratches, gouges, and nicks not noted during the walkthrough will be considered as part of normal wear and tear and are not covered under this warranty. Cabinets that separate more than ¼ from the wall or ceiling will be warranted by the builder. The cabinet(s) will be refastened as necessary. -Visible defects in cabinets or vanities not listed on the original walkthrough report. -Wood grains and variations due to wood species and natural wood variations. 21

22 Glass Shower Doors Glass shower doors may be installed in your home. Glass shower doors are tempered safety glass and there is no warranty against breakage from the builder. Adjustments necessary to insure ease of operation will be made by the builder, but maintenance of caulked or sealed joints is the responsibility of the homeowner. -Any scratches or material defects not noted on the original walkthrough report. 22

23 SLIDING GLASS DOORS Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Sliding glass doors lock from the inside only. The bottom tracks must be kept clean so they operate freely. Paraffin is a good lubrication for these tracks. Under certain light conditions, door glass may be hard to see. To prevent accidently walking into a glass door, screen doors should remain closed at all times. Visual decoration should also be placed on the glass portion of the doors for safety. Sliding glass doors are warrantied to be free of defects in material and workmanship and to operate to the manufacturers specifications for one year after the closing of your home. -Sliding glass patio doors are glazed with tempered safety glass. This is a feature to minimize injury in the event of an accident and is building code requirement. However, tempered glass is very brittle and is not warrantied against breakage under the terms of this warranty unless noted on the original walkthrough report. 23

24 FOUNDATION WALLS AND CONCRETE FLOORS Description and Homeowners Responsibilities Settling and temperature changes will cause cracks in the foundation walls and basement and garage floors; such cracks cannot be prevented. Normal homeowner maintenance should include filling these cracks with any commercially available calk or grout designed for this purpose. Due to the movement of soils, basement and garage floors will crack and lift, sometime unevenly, during the first year of a home s life. If cracks excess 1/8 in width or vertical displacements, repairs will be made by the builder. Repairs will be made by grinding, patching, and replacing the concrete area. However, please keep in mind that the repaired area(s) will be a different color from the original concrete due to the time of placement or the grinding showing underlying aggregate. Cracks in foundation walls excessing 1/8 will be filled by the builder. Cracks which affect the structural integrity of the home will be repaired by the builder one year after the closing of your home. -Repair of cracks in basement and garage floors 1/8 or less in width and/or vertical displacement. -Repair of cracks in foundation walls 1/8 or less in width. Please Note: The builder has the option of repairing cracks or chips in concrete with concretecompatible grouts, sealants, epoxies, caulking compounds, or grinding. Exact color matches cannot be guaranteed. 24

25 FIREPLACES Description and Homeowner Responsibilities If your home is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace, there are certain procedures that should be followed to insure proper operation. Before lighting a fire, make sure the damper above the firebox has been opened. Likewise, be sure to close the damper after the fire has been completely extinguished. Avoid using manufactured paper logs in metal fireplaces as they contain chemicals that can induce a flue fire. We advise that you read through your fireplace owner s manual before attempting to operate the fireplace. For fireplace warranty information, please contact Comfort Solutions at

26 EXTERIOR WARRANTY COVERAGE ROOFS, GUTTER, AND DOWNSPOUTS Description and Homeowners Responsibilities The composition roof shingles used on the builder s homes are asphalt shingles that seal themselves together after exposure to warm sunlight. Gutters and downspouts, if installed, should be kept free of tree limbs, leaves, balls, and any other obstructions which will stop the downspouts from functioning properly, and which may in time, cause leaks. Normal shrinkage will require re-caulking around vents and flues on the roof. Failure to perform this maintenance task may result in leaks over time. During the cold weather, snow may build up on the roof and ice dams may occur. It is the homeowner s responsibility to prevent or remove ice dams. We recommend that homeowners have heat tape installed to help prevent roof and gutter damage from ice. You can contact Eric Wimmer at for questions and estimates for heat tape. Roof or flashing leaks occasionally occur in severe weather conditions, but should not happen under normal conditions. The builder will correct or repair roof leaks which are the result of defects in material or workmanship that occur during the first year of this warranty and not thereafter. When gutters are unobstructed by debris, the level of standing water in the gutter is not to exceed one inch. There may be small amounts of water standing in sections of the gutters immediately after a rainstorm. This condition is not considered a defect for the purposes of this warranty. If the standing water is in excess of the standard one inch in unobstructed gutters, the builder will level the gutter to drain. -Caulking of vents or flues, or damage including leaks arising from: -Damage from winds exceeding 30 mph velocity. -Failure to keep the gutters and downspouts free of obstruction, including but not limited to, tree limbs, leaves, twigs, and toys. -Any attachment or installation through the shingles of any structure of appurtenance not installed by the builder. -Failure to maintain the caulking of vents and flues in proper condition; -Roof or shingle damage resulting from severe weather such as hail, tornados, thunderstorms, high winds, or damage caused by persons walking on roof. -Ice buildup. (We recommend having heat tape or other melting devices installed.) 26

27 BUILDING EXTERIOR Description and Homeowners Responsibilities Exterior siding materials have been selected for both appearance and ease of maintenance. The builder within the manufacturer s warranty will repair or replace any hardwood or composite siding that has delaminated (separated into layers). The effects of improper homeowner maintenance, negligent damage caused by objects striking the siding, and weathering are not covered by this warranty. The builder, within the manufacturer s warranty, will repair joint separations by filling them with sealant. The builder will try to match the texture and color of the existing siding as closely as possible for any repair or replacement of siding but a perfect match is not guaranteed. The builder will correct siding materials that become loose or detached for a period of one year unless the problem is a result of an act of God or unusually high winds that exceed the manufacturer s wind limits. - Waviness of panel siding. -Visible defects, including denting of siding not noted on original walkthrough report. -Variations in style and color that occur as the siding weathers. -Variation in style and color when repairing in an acceptable repair. 27

28 GARAGE DOORS Description and Homeowner Responsibilities The garage doors are mounted with rollers and torsion or exterior springs for easy operation. The hardware does require periodic maintenance. Oil the lock mechanism, pulley, and rollers at least twice per year with light oil. Garage doors are not intended to be water-tight structures. Because of the nature of the door, water may come underneath the seal at the bottom of the door. All garage doors are warrantied to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for one year following closing on your home. -Warping or sagging due to doors being left open for extended periods of time. -Normal amounts of water coming underneath the door. 28

29 CONCRETE WALKS, STEPS, AND PORCHES Description and Homeowner Responsibilities It is impossible for us to prevent cracking in the concrete walks, porches, or steps because of the nature of the material and underlying soils. There are two basic causes for these cracks. Some of the concrete in the ground maintains a fairly constant temperature, whereas the top portion of the concrete is subject to extreme temperature changes. Such changes cause concrete and other masonry products to contract and expand. This, in time, could cause major cracks. We have provided control joints in the concrete in an effort to localize the cracking resulting from stress. On the other hand, there are some cases over which we have no control, such as severe frost, settlement, and aggravation from the use of salt and other chemicals for melting snow. (Even though you may not be using ice melt products, they may be tracked in from the street or your car.) It is also important that homeowners take responsibility for proper snow removal and water drainage to keep concrete from being damaged and underlying soil from being compromised. Changing temperatures may cause porch posts to become loose and walks to lift, even though we have installed proper piers and rods for support. Corrections can be made by you shimming and re-nailing the trim along the bottom. Concrete surfaces should not disintegrate to the point where large portions of aggregate are exposed under normal weather conditions and use. If a large area of aggregate is exposed in non-excluded concrete, builder will repair or replace concrete as necessary for a period of one year from the date of closing your home. -Cracking, scaling, pitting, or shifting of concrete arising from changes in temperature or settlement cracks. -Damage arising from heavy vehicles such as moving vans, delivery trucks, etc. -Damage caused by customer misuse or neglect. -Damage from the use of salt or other chemicals. -Damage from the settling of sub-grade material. Please note: The builder has the option of repairing concrete with concrete compatible grouts, sealants, epoxies, or caulking compounds, and exact color matches should not be expected and is not guaranteed. 29

30 ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Asphalt is less susceptible to cracking than concrete and will last a considerable time with proper care and maintenance. Some expansion cracks are unavoidable and sharp objects such as bicycle kickstands, ladders, or tire jacks, will case indentation, especially in hot weather. Gas and oil spilled on asphalt will cause the material to soften and disintegrate. Driveways are designed for normal auto traffic and individual conditions, driveways should be coated by the homeowner before one year, but no sooner than 90 days after installation. The asphalt driveway and the driveway sub-base are warrantied to be in good condition at the time of closing on your home. Should settlement, creating a depression, which will retain water in excess of 1 deep, due to improper sub-base occur during the first year following the closing of your home, the driveway will be repaired. -Normal expansion cracks. -Damage arising from heavy vehicles such as moving vans or delivery trucks. -Damage from sharp objects or spillage of gas or oil. -Depressions that retain water less than 1 deep. 30

31 GRADING AND SEEDING Description and Homeowner Responsibilities Settlement of graded areas around the foundation, stoop, sidewalk, and general yard areas will occur and is considered normal. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to periodically refill settled areas and to prevent water from collecting in trapped areas. Water standing or ponding for less than 72 hours is considered normal. Drainage swales, sump-pump discharge, or frozen ground may remain wet for longer periods of time. No decisions on standing water will be made while snow or frost is on the ground, and repairs will not be done while the ground is frozen or saturated. In addition, any trees, branches, or limbs that remain in your yard are the responsibility of the homeowner. The builder is not responsible for their removal. As soon as conditions permit, necessary repairs, as determined by the builder, will be made. In regards to the swales throughout the site, these areas are to remain open so that surface water may flow away from the home. Please note that all swales on the Recorded Record Plan are Deed Restricted and are NOT TO BE DISTURBED; these swales are approved by the local County Government. If the swales are disturbed, the homeowner will be responsible for all damages done to adjacent properties, reconstruction and repair of the swale, legal fees, etc. The builder will re-grade or provide drainage for ponding water that stands for over 72 hours. On a onetime basis only and by request within the first year, we will provide dirt and over-seed to fill in the sunken areas around hour home. A subdivision supervisor will come out and determine the amount of dirt needed. -Any areas that have been modified or re-graded by anyone other than the builder. -Any settlement that may occur. -Drainage swale, sump-pump discharge, or frozen ground. -Trees, limbs, branches that are believed to be dead, falling, or standing. 31

32 ADDITIONAL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS A new home brings with it a lot of work and it s easy to sometimes over look things. Here are a few tips and suggestions to both help you enjoy your new home and possibly eliminate some common inconveniences: 1. New trees and shrubs are small, but they grow. Don t plant them too close together or too close to the foundation, patio, driveway, or walk. Mature tree roots can break concrete and asphalt. 2. Before digging for sprinkler systems, landscaping, fences, etc., call a Utility Locate service. Contact your local utility company for this service. All underground utilities, electrical lines, and phone lines will be marked by the Utility Locate service to prevent cutting them. 3. Areas that are going to be covered with landscape rock, bark, etc., should first be covered with a pervious membrane rather than an impervious membrane such as plastic. 4. Entry doors have a rubber weather strip on the bottom, which will eventually wear down. However, most building stores carry replacements. Check this before each winter by closing the door and checking for light along the bottom of the door. 5. Re-caulking of countertops to walls, ceramic tile to bathtubs, bathtubs and glass shower doors, window frames to sills and walls, and woodwork to the walls is the responsibility of the homeowner for the life of the home. 6. To protect finished floors, do not push, shove, or slide heavy appliances or furniture across them. Clean these floors with a dust mop or a mild solution of vinegar and water. 7. To protect newly installed linoleum floors, allow a few days for the adhesive to completely bond before washing the floor. Soap and water should be used sparingly; using too much will dull the finish and cause some seams to lift and separate. Twice a year, a thorough washing and waxing should be done to protect the floor. 8. Prevent chips and scratches on surfaces of bathtubs and sinks by making sure no heavy or sharp objects hit the surface. Clean these fixtures only with recommended, non-abrasive cleaners. 9. To protect countertops, do not cut or chop without using a cutting board. Use a protective hot pad when setting hot pans on the countertop. De-lamination may occur is moisture is allowed to build up and remain on the countertop. 10. To protect the beauty and appearance of interior woodwork, dusting and polishing should be done occasionally. 11. Change the filter for the heater every 30 days. 32

33 CONCLUSION Now that you have had a chance to read through your Homeowners and Manual, we hope that many of the questions pertaining to your new home have been answered. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Total customer satisfaction is our number one goal. We will do whatever we can to help you feel satisfied with your new home. Thank you for choosing RW Custom Homes for your new home purchase. We hope that you will enjoy your beautiful home for many years to come! 33

34 List of Subcontractors RW Custom Homes Subcontractor Description of Service Phone Number Bybee Electric Electrical Work CF Olsen Designs Kitchen, Bathroom, and Utility Cabinets Comfort Solutions HVAC Elite Hardware Door and Bath Hardware Garage Door Utah Garage Door and Garage Door Opener Hennefer Plumbing Plumbing and Fixtures Homeowner Appliances, Light Fixtures Jason Geisler Exterior Concrete Moyes Glass Windows and Window Screens, Mirrors, Shower Enclosures Mtn. View Flooring Hardwood Floors, Carpet and Carpet Padding Page Drywall Drywall Peterson Exterior Exterior Siding Material, Exterior Rock, Gutters, Exterior Painting, Soffit and Fascia, Foundation Plaster Randy Call Painting Interior Painting Rem Bielazyic Tile Floors and Showers RW Custom Homes Main Office Stock Building Supply Exterior Doors Wangsgard Construction Interior Woodwork Install Manager Questions Wes Wilcox Finish Supply Interior Doors and Front Entry Door, Interior Woodwork Supply

35 30-Day Punch List Form Name: Phone Number: Lot No. Address: Close Date: Development: Please list the items for repair and send to our office 30 days after your original settlement date to: RW Custom Homes, 344 E N. North Ogden, UT 84414, to or fax to Should a written list not be provided as per the above directions, RW Custom Homes will have fulfilled our obligations to the Homeowner. NOTE TO HOMEOWNER(S): The Homeowner or an adult must be at the home during the time(s) that repairs are being completed. Neither RW Custom Homes nor their subcontractors will enter the home unless an adult is present. Please list all repairs and their locations below: Office Use Only Date Received: Date Work Orders Sent: Scheduled Date for Walk-Through: 35

36 1-Year Punch List Form Name: Phone Number: Lot No. Address: Close Date: Development: Please list the items for repair and send to our office 30 days prior to the 1-year expiration of the Period to: RW Custom Homes, 344 E N. North Ogden, UT 84414, to or fax to Should a written list not be provided as per the above directions, RW Custom Homes will have fulfilled our obligations to the Homeowner. NOTE TO HOMEOWNER(S): The Homeowner or an adult must be at the home during the time(s) that repairs are being completed. Neither RW Custom Homes nor their subcontractors will enter the home unless an adult is present. Please list all repairs and their locations below: Office Use Only Date Received: Date Work Orders Sent: Scheduled Date for Walk-Through: 36

37 Note to all Homeowners regarding your 30-day and 1-year punch lists: 1) Please retain a copy of all punch lists for your records along with the date it was sent to our office. 2) When submitting a 30-day punch list, we must receive this list no later than 30 days after your original closing date. After the 30-days have expired; no additional items will be accepted unless these items are noted as emergency items. 3) One month prior to the one year anniversary of your closing date, you will be given the opportunity if necessary, to submit a 1-year punch list. We require this list to be on our office one month prior to your 1-year anniversary date. By having your punch list to our office prior to the Period ending will give our office sufficient time to request items to be repaired. 4) When submitting a punch list, please either mail it into our main office at 344 E N. North Ogden, UT or fax it to Upon timely receipt of your punch list, we will review, inspect, investigate and/or test the item(s) listed. Once reviewed, if the item(s) listed need attention, we will contact you in a timely manner to make an appointment, if necessary, to repair and/or replace the item(s); work to the exterior of the home may not require an appointment. However, not all items are deemed as our responsibility and may not be covered under the New Home. Such as items that are considered as normal wear-and-tear, homeowner s maintenance, etc. 37