A CME LLC, A C ALIFORNIA L IMITED DEVELOPMENT L IABILITY C OMPANY HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE MANUAL ACME VILLAS This manual has been written exclusively for Acme Villas, a project of Acme Development LLC, a California Limited Liability Company and is protected by United States copyright laws. No copying of this publication is permitted without the express written consent of Murakami Law Office of Los Angeles, CA (310) 979-0325. Copyright 2005-2009 by Murakami Law Office. All Rights Reserved.
HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE MANUAL ACME VILLAS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (OWNER COPY) RECEIPT Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! We are delighted to be able to help you achieve your dream of home ownership. It is our sincere desire to provide you with a quality home with long lasting value. This manual will highlight your new home s features, and offer maintenance guidelines. Please read the information thoroughly, and keep it on hand for reference whenever general maintenance is required. Please retain this sheet for your records that you received this Homeowner Maintenance Manual. Unit No.: Street Address: Buyer Buyer Date Date Authorized Agent Date This manual is not intended to replace the detailed information contained in any other warranty contract, including an insurer s homeowner warranty. Employees or agents of Acme Villas LLC, a California Limited Liability Company are not authorized to extend, modify, or change any other warranty in any way.
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS...1 OVERVIEW...3 Purpose of the Maintenance Manual...4 What This Manual Contains...5 HOME CARE...6 Appliances...7 Cook Top and Microwave...7 Dishwasher...7 Range and Oven...7 Range Hood and Vent...7 Smoke Detectors...8 Surfaces and Finishes...9 Cabinets...9 Caulking and Sealants...9 Countertops...9 Drywall... 10 Methane Ventilation Pipes In Walls... 10 Exterior and Interior Doors... 11 Windows and Screens... 11 Skylights...12 Ceramic Flooring... 13 Hardwood Flooring... 13 Marble Flooring... 13 Stair Banisters or Railings...14-1 -
Balcony Areas...15 Electrical, Heating and Plumbing Systems...16 Air Conditioning/Heating... 16 Circuit Breakers... 16 Plumbing... 16 Fireplace...17 The Fire Safety System...18 Fire Suppression Sprinkler System... 18 CIRCUMSTANTIAL MAINTENANCE ISSUES...19 Water Intrusion...19 Control, Observe and Cure...19 Mold...20 Pest Control...21 Pollution Prevention of Storm Water...22 PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR EXTENDED ABSENCES...24 Electricity and Appliances...24 Security...24 Plumbing and Water...24 Pest Control...25 HOMEOWNER S INSPECTION CHECKLIST AND PROOF OF INSPECTION AND SERVICE...26 USEFUL FORMS AND INFORMATION...36 Emergency Phone Numbers...36 Heating and Air Conditioning... 36 Plumbing... 36 Electrical... 36 Interview Questions to Ask a Potential Contractor...37-2 -
OVERVIEW Welcome to Acme Villas! We realize that you have had a number of alternatives in choosing a home, and we are pleased and grateful that you have chosen Acme Villas. Proper maintenance is key to continued enjoyment and comfortable living in your home. As the owner, you have a responsibility to keep your home in good condition. We have prepared this Manual to assist you in maintaining and caring for your home. It is not intended to be a substitute for any other maintenance information you may receive, such as manufacturer's manuals. Please take the time to read this guide and implement its recommendations as soon as possible. We hope that you find this Manual a useful tool and resource for you to become acquainted with your home and to become familiar with its care requirements. On behalf of everyone at Acme Development LLC, a California Limited Liability Company we extend our best wishes for many years of happiness in your new community. We are confident your new home will be a source of joy for you and your family. Warmly yours, Acme Development LLC, a California Limited Liability Company - 3 -
PURPOSE OF THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL THIS MANUAL WILL ACT AS A REFERENCE to help you in maintaining your home. It offers various obligations, preventive maintenance practices and schedules that are required to keep your home in top condition. You must maintain your home according to the enclosed guidelines in order to retain your full rights to require your seller to remedy a construction defect. Poor or negligent maintenance may invalidate your home warranty, according to California state law. Since it is not possible to foresee every potential maintenance condition that may arise, this Manual should not be construed as all encompassing and should not be considered as the sole source of information of maintenance guidelines for your home. Some items in this manual may not apply to your particular situation. Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, if any maintenance schedule or procedure referenced in this booklet differs from any written maintenance schedule or procedure provided to you by the seller, contractor, or the manufacturer of the specific product, you agree to follow the written maintenance schedules or procedures provided by the seller, contractor, or manufacturer, instead of those provided in this publication. - 4 -
WHAT THIS MANUAL CONTAINS Overview Fit and Finish Warranty Home Care Seasonal Maintenance Schedule/Checklists Helpful Forms and Information Outlines the purpose of this Manual and explains how your home will benefit from its implementation. Highlights items covered by your seller during the first year of your home ownership. Describes necessary maintenance inside your home. Provides a schedule and checklists detailing maintenance and inspection needs. Contains useful forms, checklists and other information about your home. - 5 -
APPLIANCES BEFORE OPERATING ANY APPLIANCE in your home, please read the manufacturer s manual for proper operating instructions and maintenance tips. Remember that you should always follow the manufacturer s recommendations when there is a conflict between this Manual and the manufacturer s instructions. Complete and mail all warranty registration cards directly to the manufacturer as soon as possible. COOK TOP AND MICROWAVE Clean the cook top/microwave often to avoid food particle and grease buildup. Allowing food spills to clog the pilot light burners or gas outlet holes will cause the stove or cook top to malfunction. Make sure that the electrical power is off and all surfaces are cool before cleaning any part of the cook top/microwave. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals such as bleach. Refer to your manufacturer s manual for proper operation and maintenance. DISHWASHER Use only detergents specifically designed for use in automatic dishwashers. Refer to your manufacturer s manual for proper placement of your dishes and recommended water temperature for optimum cleaning. Keep the pump strainers and spray arm holes free of small food particles and other deposits. RANGE AND OVEN Make sure the oven is off and cool before cleaning or servicing the oven. Please follow the manufacturer s instructions for cleaning. Do not use any commercial oven cleaning solutions or abrasive cleaners with self-cleaning ovens. Follow directions in the manufacturer s manual for replacing the light bulb in your oven. Don t forget to disconnect the power before changing the bulb. RANGE HOOD AND VENT Clean the underside of your range hood monthly with a damp, sudsy cloth to prevent hard residue from forming. The vent filters should be removed and cleaned periodically with hot water and detergent. - 7 -
DRYWALL As temperature and humidity change, slight cracking or seams may become visible in walls and ceilings. After move-in, it is your responsibility to make repairs to the drywall and repaint as necessary. Inspect exterior and interior walls and surfaces for mold or mildew growth. Periodically open windows to air out the unit, utilize fans to prevent excessive moisture in rooms, and repair any leaks immediately. Properly remove any mold/fungus or mildew with products that will eradicate it and prevent any return. Notify your seller IMMEDIATELY of any mold or mildew infestation. METHANE VENTILATION PIPES IN WALLS Certain common walls may contain methane ventilation pipes, which passively vent at the roof and do not require maintenance. These pipes have warning labels on them and should not be disturbed. Do not drive nails into any common wall without checking first with the Association to make sure that the wall does not contain methane ventilation pipes. - 10 -
TO MAINTAIN YOUR SELLER S WARRANTY, please fill this form for each year as labeled and fax to (818) 956-5943 by January 31 of the following year, or call (818) 956-5941. YEAR 4 2 OWNER: ADDRESS: TASK Furnace/Air Conditioning Faucet Aerators Plumbing Exterior Doors Wood Cabinets GENERAL DESCRIPTION VENDOR PHONE NUMBER Clean/replace filters Clean aerator screens Check kitchen/ bathroom/ hot water leaks Lubricate hinges and locks. Touch up painting Apply lemon oil wood product DATE INSPECTED EVERY MONTH EVERY 2 MONTHS INSPECTOR INITIALS REPORT/RECEIPT ATTACHED SERVICE COMPLETED PER INSPECTION REPORT EVERY 3 MONTHS Interior Doors Lubricate hinges EVERY 6 MONTHS Kitchen Tile Grout Tiled Areas Check loose/ missing grout. Regrout. Inspect missing/ damaged caulking. Re-caulk. EVERY 12 MONTHS Smoke Detectors Change batteries Furnace/HVAC Professional inspection General Home Professional Inspection inspection Termite/Mold/Dry Professional Rot inspection Plumbing Professional inspection Tile Grout/Granite Seal annually Garage Door Professional inspection - 29 -