Page 57 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance very easily discolor the grout between the tiles. Water is the best solution for cleaning tile countertops. Use a very small amount of water and when you are finished make sure that the area is completely dry. • If you have a stain that will not come off simply with water, consult with a home improvement expert about products that will work on the stain. • Excessive heat can cause charring, burning, lifting, or blistering. Do not place hot pans, coffee pots, baking dishes, hot irons, or burning cigarettes directly on these surfaces. Use protective hot pad or trivets under countertop electrical appliances. • Avoid exposing Corian® to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water. • DO NOT CUT directly on Corian® countertops. Always use a cutting board. • Run cold water when pouring boiling water into sinks. This is especially needed with Corian® sinks. • Ceramic, Granite and Corian® Countertop Repair: Note: K. Hovnanian® Homes is unable to ensure that ceramic countertop tile repairs requiring new material will match the color of the existing tile material or colored grouting. Color variations, thickness and veining are normal. CONDENSATION/MOLD Condensation occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with a colder surface, like a window or mirror. Condensation is most prevalent in new homes, especially during the first year. It is caused by the large quantities of water used to build the home, from the concrete foundations to the paint on the walls. In addition, the wood that was used to construct your walls and roof also has excess water that will work its way out. As this water evaporates and the drying-out process occurs, the moisture takes the form of condensation on interior windows, basement walls, and plumbing pipes. Condensation is normal. However, it needs to be controlled. If not, it can remain inside your home and in some cases begin to produce mold. For homeowners everywhere, mold is an important issue. It is a product of humidity, condensation, and water leaks. Mold generally occurs when moisture is not allowed to properly vent from the home. Products today such as windows, doors, caulk, and insulation work together to produce a more energy efficient home. These new products and the techniques for installing them also eliminate air leaks, creating a more airtight home. While the changes help reduce energy bills and keep drafts inside the home to a minimum, they also prevent fresh air from coming into the home. Therefore, ventilation is essential to keep condensation and mold to a minimum. If condensation is not properly vented out of the home mold can develop. For more information, please refer to the Home Care and Maintenance Guide for Water Intrusion at the end of this section. Maintenance Guidelines • When showering, cooking, or doing laundry, always use the exhaust fan in the room. This will take the moist air to the outside of the home. You may also want to open a window in the room slightly. • Your home’s HVAC system (especially air conditioning) is the biggest help you have in eliminating condensation and mold. Make sure it is kept in good working order. • Any water leaks that occur inside your home need to be taken care of immediately to prevent mold from developing. If your home is under warranty, contact Homeowner Service for assistance. If your warranty has expired, contact a licensed professional. • During warm, dry weather, open basement windows, and close them when outside humidity is high. Keep windows closed during damp, muggy weather and opened during clear, dry weather. • Ensure that the clothes dryer is properly vented to the outside and that the vent is clear of obstructions and lint. • Do not try to accelerate the “drying out” process by creating high heating temperatures during winter or too cold temperatures in the summer. This will lead to an uneven drying which will exaggerate the effects of normal shrinkage. • Crawl Space Areas: See Crawl Space below. CRAWL SPACE You may have a crawl space in your home. This space is not intended as a storage area. Inside the space, you Edition July 2019 | 39