This section has three purposes:

• To give you a general introduction to the most familiar components of today's new homes.
• To provide you with an understanding of the warranties of these components.
• To prepare you for the minor adjustments and repairs necessary in most new homes.

Some of the items listed in this section are essential to every home and some are not. For instance, your home may have stucco or may not, but you will certainly have a water supply shut-off valve.

The order used to explain these various components is the general order in which the components are installed during the construction of your home.

Termite Pre-Treatment

Termites are easier to bar from a new home than exterminate from an old one.

Therefore, in southern Arizona, special chemicals are used beneath the foundation of all living areas to prevent termite infestation. In your Homeowner's Kit, you should have a warranty certificate showing that your home was pre-treated for termites, the date of the treatment, and the express warranty of such treatment, which is generally for five (5) years from the date of treatment.

You should make your own inspection in the Spring of each year searching the sides of foundation walls and piers for the earthen tubes which termites build to reach the wood above the foundation.

If you suspect the presence of termites, and it is within five (5) years from the date of the pre-treatment, call the exterminator shown on your termite warranty certificate. If it is after five (5) years, you should call a professional exterminator of your choice.

Foundations

The weight of your home rests upon the foundation which generally consists of three components.

• First is the footing which is a large mass of concrete which spreads the weight from above to the earth below.
• Second is the stem wall which is a wall of masonry or concrete that stands vertically on top of the footing.
• Third is the slab which is the concrete poured within the perimeter of the footing and stem, forming the floor.

Foundations are subject to a wide variety of stresses and strains, extreme temperature changes, and during summer months, extreme hot winds, all of which can cause the concrete to expand and contract.

This expansion and contraction may cause your concrete to crack, which, although visible, does not usually affect the strength of the structure. The repair of these cracks is not within the scope of your general warranty; it is considered homeowner maintenance.

To repair small or hairline cracks, you can use cement and sand, (one part cement to two parts sand with water), or a dry cement base and water, to form a paste which you fill into the crack with a stiff brush or putty knife.

To repair medium sized cracks, (1/8" to 3/16" wide), roughen both edges of the crack, clean out all loose particles, wet the crack, fill the crack with patching cement, allowing a little extra for shrinkage, and just before the patching cement hardens, rub it with burlap or similar material for a rough texture, or use a wet trowel for a smooth texture.

To repair larger cracks, cut or chip back the crack in the form of a V-shaped groove; then follow the same procedure used for repair of medium-sized cracks.

Plumbing

Your plumbing has been installed by a professional and should need only minimum maintenance for many years if you care for it properly. The most important thing about plumbing is that you and your family or tenant be familiar with the various water supply shut off valves in your plumbing system. Shut off valves for toilets are usually under the water chamber; those for sinks under the sink; and most important of all,the main shut-off valve, usually located in the front of your home under the front hose bib.

The two main areas in plumbing that tend to cause the most service problems are those associated with drains or with minor leaks.

Warranty for drain stoppage is for one (1) year after closing, but most drain stoppages are caused by a homeowner's carelessness or abuse, and in such cases a service call results in a service charge to the homeowner. To avoid these unnecessary service calls, it is important for you to understand how a drain system works and how to maintain it.

Each plumbing fixture in your house has a drain trap, a J-shaped piece of pipe, designed to provide a water barrier between your home and the danger of sewer gas. The trap holds water which prevents the air-borne bacteria and odor of the sewer gas from entering the house. These traps, because of their shape, are also the point at which drains are most likely to become clogged. The cardinal rule to avoid plugging drains is never allow grease, hair, lint, rubbish, paper, etc. down a drain. If your drain does appear to be clogged, you can try working a plunger up and down rhythmically 10 to 20 times in succession. If this does not work, there are many approved chemicals you can purchase, but remember to follow the directions; don't use chemicals and a plunger at the same time. A helpful hint to prevent the entrance of sewer gas is to periodically use any fixture which otherwise may not be used for long periods of time to replace the water which may have evaporated.

Faucets, like all plumbing with moving parts, are more apt to require repair than nonmoving fixtures. The less needless strain you put on faucets, the less frequently the need of repair. If leaking around your faucets does appear, generally the leaks can be fixed by replacing the washer or washers which can be obtained at most hardware stores. If the leak is in the main piping system and occurs with the one (1) year warranty period, contact the plumber listed in your Homeowner's Kit, or our Customer Service Department. If your warranty period has expired, it is suggested you obtain the services of a professional plumber of your choice.

Frozen water pipes and clogged aerators are two areas not covered under your general warranty and should be discussed briefly.

In the southwest, a frozen water pipe is a rare occurrence. If this does happen, however, the main thing to remember is to thaw out the pipes slowly. Insulating your main intake line (which comes out of the ground under the front hose bib) may help eliminate the rare problem.

Many faucets have a screened adapter at the water outlet end. It is not uncommon for these aerators to collect small particles, especially when you first move in. You can clean these aerators by merely unscrewing them, rinsing and replacing. This should be periodically done as a form of preventative maintenance.

Masonry

There are various types of masonry currently being used today, (i.e., concrete block, brick, adobe, slump block), and very few problems have been encountered with such masonry. Minor cracking may occur due to settling. This is covered under your general warranty, but we request that you wait until your eleven (11) month call-back to allow all settling that may occur to take place, so that all cracks, if any, can be repaired at one time.

Moisture sealant for block-stucco, adobe, or slump block is an area where you as a homeowner can increase the durability through proper and periodic maintenance. We apply the original coat of silicone sealer to these type of surfaces; however, this coat does not last indefinitely, and you should check regularly to see if the stucco or masonry is absorbing moisture. If so, a silicone sealer can be purchased at most hardware stores and can be easily applied, following the directions found on the label.

Framing

The material used in framing of your home is graded in accordance with Federal standards. The specifications as to which standards shall be used are selected by a professional architect in accordance with our local building codes. The installation of these materials is constantly checked by various governmental inspectors to insure proper methods are being used. The framing stage of your home is one of the most important structural phases of building. Usually very few service calls require framing corrections. However, some of the more common "framing" service complaints involve shrinkage of the various wood members. It is not uncommon for homeowners sitting in a quiet room of a newly built home to hear a sudden crack or pop coming from wood walls or ceilings, and even though it may be discomforting at first, generally it is nothing to be concerned about. Depending on weather conditions, this cracking or popping diminishes in six to eight months.

Expansion and contraction may cause splitting of exterior posts or beams. Because of the moisture content in the wood itself and also the extreme variances in temperature and low humidity in the southwest, this splitting does happen, and unless it becomes structurally unsound or is caused by improper installation, this splitting is not covered under your general warranty.

If splitting occurs, allow sufficient time for additional expansion and contraction (6-8 months); then fill the splits with caulking or wood filler and paint.

Stucco

In residential building, there are two basic forms of stucco. One is stucco over concrete block and the other is stucco over wood frame.

The stucco itself is mainly comprised of a cement base. Minor stucco cracking, even though all phases of application are completed correctly, may appear like that of concrete slabs. This is due to shrinkage, expansion and contraction movement within the structure. Stucco cracks, unless structural or which can be determined to be caused by improper application, are NOT covered under your general warranty.

The method of patching stucco cracks is basically the same as patching cement cracks. (See repair instructions under Foundations). Another method of repair is to use a tube of silicone caulk from a hardware store, fill the crack, rub fine sand into the caulk for texture, and paint to match.

Another important item to remember about stucco (as also explained under Masonry), is that stucco is not a water repellent substance; thus, it should be sealed periodically.

Roofing

Your roof will give you many years of good service if it is properly maintained. The warranty on your roof, which includes protection from leakage, is for one (1) year after closing. If a problem occurs due to a structural defect, an additional year of coverage is given.

You should exercise proper care in order to not void the warranty. If for any reason you are on the roof, stay away from flashing, vents, or corners, as stepping there could break a proper seal.

If a leak does appear, take action quickly. If it is repaired as soon as the roofing material is dried after the rain, the cost will be far less than if the job is postponed.

After your warranty expires, a periodic check by a professional roofer every three years is recommended to help preserve the roof. If a leak does appear, you may be able to seal it yourself temporarily, but we suggest you have a licensed roofer inspect it also.

Electrical

The electrical phase of building your home is governed by a strict governmental electric code and inspected by government inspectors. The warranty period is one (1) year from the date of closing. Keep in mind that this is probably the most dangerous phase of all components utilized in the construction of your home. Do not attempt any changes or alterations that involve electrical modifications without proper knowledge or supervision.

You are instructed to check all electrical receptacles on your initial walk-thru inspection, and even though all receptacles worked, you may find certain bathroom outlets may stop working after use. The reason for this is that a very sensitive G.F.I. breaker, required by the revised electrical code, is used, and many types of hair dryers, razors, or other electrical devices may trip this breaker. Call the electrician who is listed in your Homeowner's Kit and discuss the problem with him.

Generally, all of the wiring to your home is collected in the panel box located on the outside of your home at the same spot as your electric meter. Inside this panel box are various circuit breakers which control the various circuits of power throughout your home. These breakers have what is known as a "tripping" device as a safety precaution against overloading or short-circuiting. If some type of electrical malfunction becomes apparent, be sure to check these breakers and verify that they all are in the "on" position before you request a service call. If you request a service call, and the problem is only a breaker which has "tripped," you may be charged for this service call. Familiarize yourself with the location of the panel box and its contents, but DON'T try to replace or modify these breakers yourself.

Heating & Cooling

Because we use various methods of heating and cooling, an operating manual from the manufacturer of your particular system has been left in your home. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this manual. If a manual was not left for you, or if you don't understand the manual, call the appropriate subcontractor shown on your list of subcontractors in your Homeowner's Kit. Your warranty is for one (1) year after closing with an additional four (4) year parts only warranty on the compressor, if you have refrigeration.

The main thing to keep in mind is your need to review the operating manual and understand the system, so as not to be charged for unnecessary service calls.

Windows & Screens

No windows will be replaced due to mars, scratches or cracks except those specifically acknowledged on your original walk-thru inspection. The warranty for windows and screens is for their proper mobility only, and shall last until three (3) months after closing. To maintain proper mobility after warranty, a silicone lubricant in aerosol form is recommended.

Siding/Sheetrock Walls & Ceilings

Repair of nail pops and settling cracks are the two main areas of service that may arise with this component, and are covered within the scope of your warranty for a period of three (3) months, unless caused by structural defects. If one or both these problems should arise, please note them on your three (3) month call-back sheet. After three months from your date of closing, if a minor settling crack should appear, you can obtain a small tube of "DAP" caulking and conceal the crack fairly easily by applying a small amount of the caulking in the crack and touching up with paint.

Doors

All doors can cause minor problems, and from time to time some of them do. However, most door problems can be handled with minimum skill required.The most common problem with doors, especially in Arizona, is sticking caused by seasonal swelling. As a general rule, this is not covered under your warranty. If sticking does occur, fold sandpaper around a wood block and sand the edge that binds and then paint it. (The sanded edge must be repainted or the warranty against warping is void). Re-alignment of the striker-plate (the metal plate on the door frame which the latch from the door slides into) may also be necessary. Also make sure that all hinge screws are tight and holding properly.

If door sticking is caused by the panels of the door separating, this is within the scope of the warranty for one (1) year. In future years, if the door panels begin to split, simply glue the panels together and clamp until completely dry.

Cabinets & Tops

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets (or vanities) must never be cleaned with harsh abrasives. Wood cabinets may be cleaned like any other wood furniture, unless they have been plastic coated, in which case a detergent solution should be used.Cabinet tops are usually made of a plastic laminate or ceramic for kitchens, and plastic laminate, ceramic or synthetic cultured marble for bath vanities. Abrasive materials must not be used in cleaning these surfaces. A detergent cleaning solution is recommended, always read the directions for any cleansers.

In the case of ceramic or synthetic marble, minor cracking of the grout joints may appear due to expansion and contraction. This is covered under the warranty for the first three (3) months after closing. After that, all you need to repair these cracks is a tube of tub and tile caulk found in most hardware stores.

The warranty for all these tops is one (1) year for the material of the top itself under normal use. Under no circumstances should hot irons, pots, pans or baking dishes be taken directly from an oven, broiler, or burner, and placed directly on the surface of these tops, nor should any cutting be done directly on the top surface.

Appliances

The same situation exists for appliances as with the heating and cooling system of your home. Be sure to read and understand the operating manuals for your appliances. The warranty cards should be reviewed to understand what warranties you have, and the cards filled out and mailed in to the manufacturers. Be sure that you understand the proper operation of your appliances to avoid an unnecessary service charge for an unwarranted service call. For example, your disposal may become clogged, requiring only that you push the reset button at the bottom of the disposal.If you are unsure of the correct operation of the various appliances, please contact our Customer Service Department and someone will tell you the proper appliance dealer to contact.

Other Warranties

• Paint
  One (1) year against peeling.
• Garage Door and/or Garage Door Opener
  One (1) year on door, track and operator, under normal use.
• Flooring
  Check with the Interior Decorator where you made your selections.
• Grading and Drainage
  Drainage away from house at time of completion and original Customer Walk-thru Inspection.
• Lighting Fixtures
  Three (3) months on fixture defects. No warranty on bulbs.
• Special Note: Operation of Fireplaces
  Don't build a fire directly on the fireplace brick, and don't burn trash or rubbish in your fireplace. Never use kerosene, gasoline, or other highly explosive liquids to start a fire, and always be sure the fire is completely out each night before retiring. Store firewood outside because it may harbor insects. Also, wood stored outside will burn longer. Firewood stored outdoors should be protected from wet weather. As an aid to cleaning your new fireplace, add a small handful of salt to the fire occasionally. This will help prevent accumulation of soot, and it will also add color to the flame. The chimney should be cleaned periodically.