Page 80 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance weep holes free of dirt and debris that could hinder performance. A vacuum attachment or Dust Buster can do the job. • If a sliding glass door becomes difficult to slide, lubricate the tracks with silicone. The door should now slide freely. • Over time, sliding glass doors may go out of adjustment. If you need to adjust your doors, there are two small round 1/4 inch holes located near the bottom of the sides of the door that have roller adjustments to raise or lower the door to the desired height. • Use a Phillips screwdriver to make the adjustment. If you have small children or pets, be careful about leaving the door open with the screen shut. Children and pets have a way of running through screen doors! EXTERIOR SURFACES - GENERAL Your home’s exterior may be constructed using vinyl siding, stucco, brick, or a stone veneer. Regardless of your exterior choice, every home is different and is affected by the amount of sun, shade, wind, rain, and even children that impact it every day. As a rule, keep garden sprinklers away from the house and do not plant shrubbery too close to the walls. EXTERIOR SURFACES - BRICK Of all exterior surfaces, brick is one of the easiest to care for. A record of your brick color is included in your selection sheets. Slight variations in size, color, and placement create the textural interest that contributes to the look of a brick exterior. Surface chips and cracks add a weathered appeal, while small hairline cracks in the mortar are caused by shrinkage. Minor brick chipping, cracking, and mortar shrinkage are normal. Bricks can be cleaned with a soap and water solution. Gentle scrubbing with a non-abrasive household cleaner and a stiff brush will remove most stubborn discolorations. You will never need to paint your brick but you do need to inspect the mortar between the bricks annually for any cracking. After sometime, you may need to repair some of these cracks. This is called tuck-pointing. A qualified mason can do this for you. On the bottom row of your brick surfaces, you will notice small openings or tubes between the bricks. These are weep holes. They work in much the same way as weep holes in your windows, allowing water an exit point on the bottom of your home. Never fill them in and never cover them up. In time a white powdery substance may accumulate on your brick surfaces. This is efflorescence. It is a natural occurrence that cannot be prevented and is not warranted. You can try removing it with a stiff brush and a solution of a tablespoon of vinegar in a gallon of water. EXTERIOR SURFACES - CAST STONE VENEER Slight variations in size, color, and placement create the textural interest that contributes to the look of a stone exterior. Minor stone chipping, cracking, and mortar shrinkage are normal. Like brick work, you need to inspect the mortar between the stones annually for any cracking. If cracks do appear, a qualified mason can repair them. EXTERIOR SURFACES - VINYL OR CONCRETE SIDING Vinyl or concrete siding is a popular choice for many homes because of its ease of use and durability. Vinyl siding expands and contracts in response to changes in humidity and temperature. Slight waves can be seen in both vinyl and concrete siding under certain weather conditions; this cannot be entirely eliminated. EXTERIOR SURFACES - STUCCO Slight variations in color and placement create the textural interest of stucco. Stucco is a brittle cement product that is subject to expansion and contraction. Minor hairline cracks will develop in the outer layer of stucco. This is normal and does not reduce the function of the stucco in any way. Maintenance Guidelines • To ensure proper drainage, keep dirt and concrete flatwork a minimum of six inches from the stucco. Do not pour concrete or masonry over the stucco. • Like brick work, efflorescence can occur on your stucco surfaces as well. This is a natural phenomenon 62 | Edition July 2019