Page 72 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance corrosion and tarnishing can result. Do your best to keep the area dry. • Avoid excessive force when turning your faucets on and off. The less unnecessary strain you put on faucets the less frequently they need repair. Provide enough pressure to prevent them from dripping as the seals in the faucet can be damaged in a short time. Because they have moving parts, faucets are more likely to require repair from time to time. • Atyourfaucetspoutthereisasmallscreencalledan aerator. The device adds air to the water to reduce splashing and water usage. However, minerals in the water line can clog the aerator so we recommend that you clean it every three to four months, or as needed. To clean the aerator, unscrew it from the mouth of the spout, remove any debris, remove and rinse the washers and screens, and then replace them in their original order. • Warranty Caution: Any addition, alteration, or modification to the water heater, sump pump, or plumbing fixture installation, unless performed by a licensed Plumbing Contractor, may void all applicable warranties. • Manufacturer Warranties: The water heater and sump pump installed in your home are protected by Manufacturer Warranties that may extend beyond our First Year Coverage. Should you experience warranty-protected problems beyond the first year of occupancy, please contact the Plumbing Contractor listed in Direct Dial Telephone List. PLUMBING - DRAINS Each sink or shower drain in your home has a j-shaped pipe, otherwise known as a “sink trap,” that is designed to keep a water barrier between your home and the sewer system. The trap holds water which keeps the odor of sewer gas from entering your home. However, from time to time this trap can become clogged and will need to be cleaned out. In areas that have drains that are infrequently used (i.e., basement floor drain, second or third bathrooms) it may be necessary to occasionally pour a quart of water in the drain to prevent water from evaporating out of the sink trap. Maintenance Guidelines • Hair, grease, and cooking oil build-up in the kitchen sink trap is the most frequent cause of plumbing drain blockages. If you cannot avoid disposing of cooking oils and grease in any other way, run cold water down the drain while you dispose of the materials. • Petroleum based products, such as paint or lacquer thinner, can damage pipes and should never be put down the drain. • Over time your drain system may eventually have a plumbing blockage. There are several materials on the market that can take care of this but be sure to pick a brand that will not harm plastic or metal drains. Also, a good plunger will work well for you. If you still can not free the blockage on your own, call a professional plumber for further assistance. • If you have a leak under a sink check the drain trap. It may need tightening at one or more joints. Usually you can hand-tighten the slip nut. If not, apply gentle pressure using a wrench. PLUMBING - GARBAGE DISPOSAL Garbage disposals are a useful addition to your home. Many homeowners assume that because the disposal is capable of grinding up most of their garbage that it is also capable of eliminating grease and other substances that they would not otherwise put down the drain. When grinding greasy substances, use plenty of cold water. Use a steady flow of cold water and allow the unit to run long enough to do a thorough job of disposing of the waste. Maintenance Guidelines • Materials like steak bones, corn husks, potatoes, coffee grounds, banana peels, and apple cores should not be put down the disposal. • If your unit jams, you should: First reset the breaker at the electrical panel box. If your unit still does not operate you will need to reset the button at the bottom of the unit. • Make sure the unit is off and unplugged. Then, take the special wrench that comes with your disposal to manually work the gears free. The wrench attaches to the bottom of the unit under the sink. When the 54 | Edition July 2019