Frozen Pipes: Your water and drain lines are warranted to be adequately protected as required by applicable building codes during normal anticipated cold weather. We recommend the following precautions be taken during extremely cold weather to protect pipes from freezing.
• Remove garden hose from outside faucets during the winter months or when temperatures are expected to be below freezing
• Close crawl space vents…these should remain open except in extremely cold weather
• Open cabinets under sink located on an outside wall
• Keep storage room and garage door closed to protect water heaters
• Do not turn your heater off while away from your home during the winter months.
Appliance Hook-Ups: Your home is equipped with hook-ups for your washing machine and refrigerator icemaker. Leaks caused by improperly installed appliances are not covered by the warranty.
Water Shut-off Valves: Your home is equipped with a main shut-off valve located at the street meter box. There is another shut off located inside your home, usually in a closet or garage. Each sink and commode has an individual shut-off. You need to familiarize yourself with each of these shut-offs in case of an emergency.
Low Water Consumption Toilets: National and state code requires the installation of “low water” consumption toilets. These are 1.6 gallon flush toilets and they do not flush like an older toilet, which typically used 3.5 gallons of water or higher. You might find it necessary to change your “flushing habits” as well as lower paper usage. Also flushing every time the toilet is used is important. If you find toilets are slow or occasionally stop up, this is not unusual due to low water capacity. If all toilets stop flushing, then there may be another problem in your drainage system.
Manufacturer’s Warranty: The finish or function of your plumbing fixtures is the responsibility of the manufacturer’s warranty and is outside of the H & H Homes warranty. Any problem
detected with the fixtures should be reported to your plumbing contractor who will then refer you to the proper manufacturer. Each fixture should be cleaned only with warm, soapy water, since harsh cleaners will damage the finish on your fixtures. DO NOT use toilet tablets in your tank.
These tablets will have a damaging effect on the internal parts of your toilet. They may also cause your toilet to “drip” or run which the manufacturer, subcontractor or H & H Homes will not cover.
We know of no product that is safe for your toilet tank, despite what the advertisements say. Drain cleaning products may also void your warranty, because they are corrosive to the drainpipe. If you have a slow drain, most likely it is due to food or hair, therefore call a rooter service or snake out the drain. The charges for this service are far less than the cost to repair damaged piping caused by these corrosive products.
Homeowner Awareness: Any changes or addition of fixtures other than those supplied and installed by the plumbing contractor voids your warranty.
Electrical
Warranty: One Year
CONDITION:
Fuses blow or circuit breakers “kick out” (excluding ground fault interrupters).
PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
Fuses and circuit breakers which deactivate under normal usage, when reset or replaced are a deficiency.
BUILDER RESPONSIBILITY:
Builder shall check all wiring and replace wiring or breaker if it does not perform adequately or is defective.
CONDITION:
Ground fault interrupter trips frequently.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
Ground fault interrupters are sensitive safety devices installed into the electrical system to provide protection against electrical shock. These sensitive devices can be tripped very easily.
BUILDER RESPONSIBILITY:
Builder shall install ground fault interrupter in accordance with approved electrical code. Tripping is to be expected and is not covered unless due to faulty installation.
NOTE: GFCI Circuit Breakers: Your bathroom, kitchen, garage and exterior receptacle are on a ground fault interrupter (GFCI) circuit breaker. The GFCI breaker will trip when there is moisture detected near the electrical receptacle or if a faulty appliance is being used. To reset the receptacle simply press the “Reset” button located in the middle of the receptacle, or reset GFCI breaker inside the panel box.
NOTE: Circuit Breaker Switches: These are enclosed in the electrical service panel box located on the inside of your home. These will trip if overloaded by the simultaneous use of too many appliances. To reset a circuit breaker switch, push the tripped breaker to the extreme OFF position and then push it all the way to the ON position. Nothing more should be necessary.
CONDITION: Drafts from electrical outlets.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
The electrical junction box on exterior walls may produce a slight air flow whereby the cold air can be drawn through the outlet into a room. This is normal in new home construction.
BUILDER RESPONSIBILTY:
None
CONDITION: Malfunction of electrical outlets, switches or fixtures.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
All switches, fixtures and outlets should operate as intended.
BUILDER RESPONSIBILITY:
Builder shall repair or replace defective switches, fixtures and outlets.
Smoke Alarms: Your home is equipped with one or more smoke alarms depending on the building code and the municipality. The smoke alarms are equipped with a battery backup. The smoke alarm should be tested regularly by pressing and holding the reset button until the alarm sounds. Batteries should be replaced at least once a year.
Security System: Your home has been wired for a security system. Using anyone other then the original contractor for continued service voids the warranty.
Electrical Devices and Fixtures: These items are warranted to be free of defects for one year.
Bathroom Exhaust Fans: Plans that require exhaust fans have been installed in bathroom areas to help prevent moisture damage. Always use fans during bathing to remove excess moisture from the area.
Range Hood or Microwave Exhaust Fans: Range hood fans are equipped with filters that need to be cleaned regularly. Exhaust fans that are vented to the outside should be checked regularly for excess grease buildup.
Ceiling Fans: A ceiling fan can only be installed in a reinforced pit-wired outlet. Ceiling fans supplied and installed by the builder are warranted for one year.
WARNING: Do not attempt to convert an existing ceiling light outlet to a ceiling fan in your home that was not pre-wired for a ceiling fan. The non-pre-wired installations are not supported to withstand the weight and vibration of a ceiling fan.
Power Interruption: When overall power is interrupted or surges in power are experienced, call your power company first. An electrician may charge you for a service call and power companies may refuse to reimburse and would not be covered by H & H Homes.