BBSG Welcome Homeowner Hints

Keeping Concrete

2011-09-29T13:09:00.000-05:00

Protect you exterior concrete surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios with quality sealers designed to keep the moisture and damaging chemicals out. Never use ice-melt products; instead use sand or kitty-litter on slippery or icy surfaces.

BBSG DEFINES HOMEOWNER MAINTAINANCE

2011-09-28T14:25:00.004-05:00

Congratulations, your builder is providing you Builder/Buyer Services Group’s VIRTUAL> Builder/Buyer care. We’re part of your new home transition team.

We've worked with thousands of homeowners and we know a lot about home maintenance. We want you to enjoy the transition period and beyond.

As you settle in to your new home there are a number of basic tasks that will help you keep things working well and looking good. Take good care of your new home and enjoy it for a long time. Following are a few tips...

Protect the finish of your hardwood floors by installing felt pads under the legs of tables and chairs. If the floor was freshly coated, allow 30 days for the finish to cure before placing rugs (or, if you put down a rug pick it up at night so that the floor can breathe). Don’t leave moving boxes set on freshly coated floors for more than a few hours. Like rugs, boxes don’t allow the finish solvents to evaporate properly. (If the solvents cannot evaporate properly they are forced back down into the wood causing permanent discoloration.) Whenever rolling out the refrigerator or other heavy appliances, protect the visible portion of the floor from wheel ruts by placing down thick cardboard first.

Smoke detectors are made more sensitive by dust, which is why most builders try to keep them covered during construction. If you have a unit that causes false alarms, try to correct the problem by first blowing out the dust using a compressed air product like those used for computers. If you are not sure which detector is triggering the false alarm, check the indicating lights. Typically when a unit alarms the indicating lights will blink at a different rate (or remain steady, depending on the design) until you press the reset (or test) button.

When first used, fireplace inserts will put off a strong odor and even generate a light haze or smoke. This is a result of the paint products baking and manufacturing oils burning off, and you may need to ventilate the home with open doors or windows. Most manufacturers claim that the odor and haze will dissipate with 6-8 hours of operation. Our experience suggests this break-in period takes about twice as long!

Storm doors are recommended at exterior (hinged) doors that have direct exposure to the weather (e.g., doors not protected by an overhanging roof or covered deck, etc). Nearly any door on the market will leak during severe weather conditions, which can cause damages to the house. A storm door can often mitigate these types of damages. When shopping, always request vented storm doors. If unable to escape, the solar heated air can permanently warp metal doors and deform the plastic frame around windows.

When using jet tubs, avoid using oil-based bathing products. Even when drained, the pump holds water. If unused for a period of time, the oil in the water can emulsify creating a sticky substance that can ruin the pump seals. If the tub will not switch on, first check the GFCI device. (All jet tubs are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device, such as a GFCI outlet characterized as an electrical outlet with “test” and “reset” buttons). The GFCI device may be located inside the tub enclosure, on a nearby wall, or even in a nearby closet or room.

Whether moving an existing washing machine or buying new, be sure to install new water supply hoses. Hoses with braided jackets are recommended, as they will minimize the potential for a hose rupture. Catch or drip pans installed under washing machines are also recommended, especially if the laundry room is above a finished area. Pans are recommended even if the laundry room has a floor drain because the floors typically do not slope to the drain!

Always replace (or clean) air filters per the manufacturer’s recommendations. When first occupying the home, it may be necessary to significantly decrease the time between replacing (or cleaning) filters due to the residual construction dust in the house. For example, if using disposable filters rated for one-month, consider changing the filters weekly for the first four to six months after move-in.

When first constructed, houses contain a large amount of moisture (e.g., in the lumber, concrete, drywall compound, paint, etc.). It generally takes about a year for this moisture to dissipate. If humidity levels are too low this drying process can be too quick which could lead to an abundance of drywall cracks, nailpops, rubbing doors, trim shrinkage, etc. If humidity levels are too high the drying process can be delayed which could lead to moisture condensation, mold, etc. Even after the drying process is complete, seasonal humidity swings can create similar issues. In regions of the country with high humidity during all or portions of the year, consider running a dehumidifier. In regions of the country with low humidity during all or portions of the year, consider installing a whole house humidifier. Ideally, the humidity levels in a home should be fairly consistent year round.

Protect you exterior concrete surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios with quality sealers designed to keep the moisture and damaging chemicals out. Never use ice-melt products; instead use sand or kitty-litter on slippery or icy surfaces.

Like concrete surfaces, wood decks and stairs exposed to the elements should be treated to ensure long lasting beauty and functionality. Weathering wood tends to crack, warp, and discolor; all conditions that are not covered by the builder’s warranty!

Furnace Filter Time

2011-09-28T13:53:00.004-05:00

It's fall...time to replace/clean air filters per the manufacturer’s recommendations. When you first occupying your new home, it may be necessary to significantly decrease the time between replacing (or cleaning) filters due to the residual construction dust in the house.

For example, if using disposable filters rated for one-month, consider changing the filters weekly for the first four to six months after move-in.

How to Clean or Replace a Furnace Filter:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions; Things You'll Need
Garden Hose, New Furnace Filter, Vacuum Or Broom

1. If the floor or area near the furnace is a dust-bunny breeding area, vacuum or sweep prior to replacing the filter.
2. Locate the service panel, usually on the furnace's lower front or side.
3. Turn off the furnace, then gently pop open or pull down the panel door with your hands; tools usually aren't needed.
4. Locate the filter--a framed-mesh rectangular screen inserted either horizontally or vertically near the intake-outtake blower.
5.
Slide the filter screen out (see A).
6. Check for brown, dusty buildup on the mesh screen (or a screen you're unable to see through).
7.
If you have a reusable plastic-frame or metal-frame filter, use a hose to rinse away the dust particles on the screen in the backyard or driveway (see B). Let it dry, then return it to the furnace.
8. If you have a disposable cardboard-frame filter, write down the size, then throw it away. Buy a new furnace filter of the same size (available at hardware and home supply stores).

Read more: How to Clean or Replace a Furnace Filter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_116602_clean-replace-furnace.html#ixzz1ZH4r9mKI

Protecting Hardwood Floors

2011-09-20T14:21:00.003-05:00

Protect the finish of your hardwood floors by installing felt pads under the legs of tables and chairs. If the floor was freshly coated, allow 30 days for the finish to cure before placing rugs (or, if you put down a rug pick it up at night so that the floor can breathe).

Don’t leave moving boxes set on freshly coated floors for more than a few hours. Like rugs, boxes don’t allow the finish solvents to evaporate properly. (If the solvents cannot evaporate properly they are forced back down into the wood causing permanent discoloration.)

Whenever rolling out the refrigerator or other heavy appliances, protect the visible portion of the floor from wheel ruts by placing down thick cardboard first.

Humidity Control

2011-01-17T10:12:00.003-06:00

When first constructed, houses contain a large amount of moisture (e.g., in the lumber, concrete, drywall compound, paint, etc.). It generally takes about a year for this moisture to dissipate. If humidity levels are too low this drying process can be too quick which could lead to an abundance of drywall cracks, nailpops, rubbing doors, trim shrinkage, etc. If humidity levels are too high the drying process can be delayed which could lead to moisture condensation, mold, etc. Even after the drying process is complete, seasonal humidity swings can create similar issues. In regions of the country with high humidity during all or portions of the year, consider running a dehumidifier. In regions of the country with low humidity during all or portions of the year, consider installing a whole house humidifier. Ideally, the humidity levels in a home should be fairly consistent year round.

This blog is a service of BUILDER/BUYER SERVICES GROUP

Washing Machines

2011-01-17T09:54:00.005-06:00

Whether moving an existing washing machine or buying new, be sure to install new water supply hoses. Hoses with braided jackets are recommended, as they will minimize the potential for a hose rupture. Catch or drip pans installed under washing machines are also recommended, especially if the laundry room is above a finished area. Pans are recommended even if the laundry room has a floor drain because the floors typically do not slope to the drain!

This blog is a service of BUILDER/BUYER SERVICES GROUP

Jet Tubs

2011-01-17T09:48:00.004-06:00

When using jet tubs, avoid using oil-based bathing products. Even when drained, the pump holds water. If unused for a period of time, the oil in the water can emulsify creating a sticky substance that can ruin the pump seals. If the tub will not switch on, first check the GFCI device. (All jet tubs are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device, such as a GFCI outlet characterized as an electrical outlet with “test” and “reset” buttons). The GFCI device may be located inside the tub enclosure, on a nearby wall, or even in a nearby closet or room.

This blog is a service of BUILDER/BUYER SERVICES GROUP

Storm Doors

2011-01-17T09:41:00.004-06:00

Storm doors are recommended at exterior (hinged) doors that have direct exposure to the weather (e.g., doors not protected by an overhanging roof or covered deck, etc). Nearly any door on the market will leak during severe weather conditions, which can cause damages to the house. A storm door can often mitigate these types of damages. When shopping, always request vented storm doors. If unable to escape, the solar heated air can permanently warp metal doors and deform the plastic frame around windows.

This blog is a service of BUILDER/BUYER SERVICES GROUP

"Breaking-in" New Fireplace Inserts

2011-01-10T13:16:00.005-06:00

When first used, fireplace inserts will put off a strong odor and even generate a light haze or smoke. This is a result of the paint products baking and manufacturing oils burning off, and you may need to ventilate the home with open doors or windows. Most manufacturers claim that the odor and haze will dissipate with 6-8 hours of operation. Our experience suggests this break-in period takes about twice as long! Click here for more.

This blog is a service of BUILDER/BUYER SERVICES GROUP.

Smoke Detectors

2011-01-06T14:28:00.006-06:00

Smoke detectors are made more sensitive by dust, which is why most builders try to keep them covered during construction. If you have a unit that causes false alarms, try to correct the problem by first blowing out the dust using a compressed air product like those used for computers. If you are not sure which detector is triggering the false alarm, check the indicating lights. Typically when a unit alarms the indicating lights will blink at a different rate (or remain steady, depending on the design) until you press the reset (or test) button.

This blog is a service of BUILDER/BUYER SERVICES GROUP.