Page 55 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance tub, in the shower stall corners, and at the floor, are caused by the high degree of moisture present in every bathroom, as well as from the normal shrinkage of caulking material. Separation between the tub and wall tile is caused by home settlement and by the weight of the water-filled tub. Maintenance Guidelines • Clean bathroom mirrors with a spray glass cleaner and a soft cloth, wiping several times to remove all glass cleaner residue. Do not use abrasive cleansers which will permanently scratch and mar mirror surfaces. • Mildew:Moistureandmildewproblemscanoccurin any room where water vapor is present. To reduce mildew, turn on the exhaust fan or slightly open a window when bathing. Wipe off wet tiles when done, and then hang up towels and washcloths to dry. To clean mildewed surfaces and reduce mildew odors, apply a liquid cleaner in a well-ventilated room, followed by a disinfectant and thorough rinsing with clear water. For soap scum, rust stains or other hard to clean residue, consult a home improvement specialist for products or cleaning tips to remove the stain. • Tile Repair: Note: K. Hovnanian® Homes cannot ensure that ceramic tile wall repairs requiring new material will match the color of the existing tile material or colored grouting. Color variations are normal. Cabinets - Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry Room, Study, Etc. Your cabinets are selected for their attractive appearance, durability, and ease of care. They should be cared for in much the same way as fine wood furniture. A light coat of wax or lemon oil applied once or twice a year will protect the finish and appearance. Never clean cabinets with harsh abrasives. It’s best to use a soft cloth slightly moistened with water. After wiping the area, use a dry cloth to remove any moisture that is still on the woodwork. Wood cabinet tone, grain, and color variations are normal, and reflect the natural characteristics of real wood. Maintenance Guidelines • Avoid washing cabinets with water as the water may damage the luster and dry out the wood. • If you have spills, wipe them up immediately. Never leave any liquid on your wood surfaces as it can cause staining and warping of the woodwork. • Over time, your cabinet doors will loosen. Straighten the door and tighten the hardware with a screwdriver as needed. If hinges or drawer glides become sluggish, use a small amount of spray silicone to improve their action. • Cabinet mounted coffee makers are not recommended since the rising steam will damage solid wood and wood veneer, causing fading or delamination. For the same reason, position regular coffee makers or crock-pots out from underneath the upper cabinets and near the front of the counter. • Laminate Cabinets: Clean laminate cabinets with a soapy cloth or sponge, or use a non-abrasive liquid household cleanser for more stubborn stains. There are one-step cleaning products available for laminates that clean, reduce streaking, and leave surfaces polished. As with all cleaning products, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. • Shelves and Lazy Susan Cabinets: Flat and carousel shelves are not designed to hold weight that exceeds 20 pounds per square foot. Keep canned goods, flour, sugar, and heavier products on the bottom shelf of the base cabinets. If desired, apply contact paper to shelves to protect against scratches and water stains. • Drawer and Hinge Care: Check the hinges at least once a year for proper alignment and tightness, using a screwdriver to make necessary adjustments. Over time, your drawers will loosen. Check the drawers for easy movement and tighten the hardware with a screwdriver as needed. If drawer glides become sluggish, use a small amount of spray silicone to improve their action. • Repairing Nicks and Scratches: Hardware stores offer color matching putty, stains, and polymer fillers to cover and repair cabinet nicks and scratches. • Your color selection sheets are your record of the brand, style and color of cabinets in your home. Make sure you keep these on hand for reference. Edition July 2019 | 37