Page 78 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance and its environment occurs. Continue the process of inspection and maintenance over the years as cracking, settling, and other problems become less common. • Some cracking will occur in most new concrete flatwork; however, cracking tends to be more severe and common on swelling soils. If cracks are not sealed they can cause the flatwork problem to get worse and contribute to deeper saturation that may damage the base. It is the homeowners responsibility to caulk the cracks to prevent water from getting under the slab and causing the soil underneath to settle or expand, further compounding the cracking of the concrete. • Seal all cracks in flatwork as soon as possible. Quality exterior caulking compounds or equivalent products manufactured for sealing can be purchased at most hardware stores, do-it-yourself departments, and lumberyards. • Salt Damage: Salt and other de-icing chemicals will cause severe damage to exterior concrete surfaces. Even when salt is not used it can be tracked in from the street on feet, tires, or accumulated under the fenders of your vehicles. When left to melt, the highly concentrated salt causes pitting, spalling, and possibly the exposure of aggregate. Although unsightly, the surface deterioration eventually stops and does not continue past the contaminated areas. • Weight Precautions: Keep excessive weight, such as firewood, sand, lumber, and moving vans, off the driveway to prevent cracking. DECKS AND WOODEN PORCHES If installed, your deck and/or wooden porch is designed and built with products that enhance longevity. Our dramatic temperature, humidity, and seasonal changes can accelerate the deterioration of wood. The wood can also be damaged by simple wear and tear, snow shovels, water sprinklers, and so on. Without proper care, splitting, cupping, grain lifting, swelling, and shrinkage will occur on exposed wood surfaces. Maintenance Guidelines • To keep the decks and wooden porches looking beautiful for years to come, it is recommended that you implement the following maintenance schedule: • Simply clean and dry deck surface, no sanding required. Apply a high quality penetrating oil finish with a garden type weed sprayer or paint roller and brush. A good quality oil penetrates the wood, leaves no surface film to peel or crack, and blocks out U.V. rays to protect from major discoloration and water damage. • In some cases, with manufactured deck material rather than wood, no maintenance is required. Manufactured deck material does not require penetrating oil or sealant. Any wood product, i.e., railings, stairways, etc., will have to follow the above referenced guidelines. • You may spot apply the penetrating oil to any high traffic areas. Do not use any type of wood sealer on any type of products treated with penetrating oil. • Check nuts and bolts of deck and deck supports annually to ensure tightness. • Excessive weight may cause structural damage to decks. Do not put children’s swimming pools or hot tubs on decks. DOORS - EXTERIOR Like interior doors, oil on squeaky hinges and graphite in latches and keyholes will help preserve your exterior doors. You will need to check the bottom plate on the door as well as the weather-stripping around the door to ensure it has a good seal. If the weather-stripping is loose or damaged, you will want to replace it. Doors that face the sun may need extra attention as the sun causes the paint, or polyurethane on the door, to age prematurely. 60 | Edition July 2019