Page 82 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance management company. If you are unable to reach them, call us for assistance. In the future you may add plants, trees, flowerbeds, a walkway, a patio, or even a pool. By improperly installing any of these you may be affecting your home’s drainage flow, causing serious water problems in your yard, foundation, concrete work, and even with your interior floor coverings. In addition to water problems created by changes at your own home, you will also be liable for any water damage that you cause to your neighbor’s property as well. So, before doing any improvements on the exterior of your home, make sure that you have properly routed water away from your home and your neighbor’s home. Doing so will save you time and money. The best way to keep the basement dry is to maintain the original grading around the home. Proper grading ensures that surface water will flow away from the home, rather than accumulating and soaking into the ground immediately around foundation walls. Remember that your lot is part of the overall drainage plan for the entire subdivision. Please keep this in mind when changes in landscaping are being considered (i.e., construction of retaining walls, fences, decks, or when using rock or landscaping timbers). Changing or blocking the drainage in any way will void your Builder’s Limited Warranty, and you may be responsible for any damage that you cause to your neighbors home. It is of the utmost importance that close attention be given to maintaining proper grade. The excavated area outside the foundation is usually filled with loose soil when the home is constructed. This is called the backfill area. We compact the area in an effort to reduce settling as much as possible. However, it is not uncommon for a backfilled area to settle. We will fill settled areas affecting proper drainage one time only during the first year. You are responsible for removal and replacement of shrubs, rock, sod, concrete patios, pavers, decks, and all other landscaping or sprinkler systems which you have installed that will be affected by the placement of such fill. Should additional settling occur at a future date after we have already applied our required fill, it is your responsibility to take corrective action. Failure to do so will void your warranty. Maintenance Guidelines • If you have below surface drain lines, flush them out periodically with your garden hose to ensure that they are clean and working. • We recommend that you consult with a landscape specialist before doing any additional work on your home. • If you hire a company to add a deck, pool, etc., make sure that they will warrant their work, as this will end any warranties from K. Hovnanian® Homes. • Donotwateryourlawntoapointwherewaterponds in low areas or swales. • To prevent erosion and puddling of water: • Do not alter the soil grade. Keep water ditches or swales open and free of leaves and debris. Do not build sheds, hot tubs, decks, fences, pools, or gar- dens in the swales. If you do, water may not flow properly through the swale. • Direct water run-off away from the home to pre- vent washouts. Water from sprinklers should not be allowed to spray water within 5 feet of the foundation. • If applicable, downspout extensions must be left in the down position. • You are responsible for any settlement or dam- age caused by downspout extensions left in the up position. LANDSCAPING - GRASS, SHRUBS & TREES The grass, shrubs, and trees around your new home have just been planted and conform to your communities HOA requirements (if applicable). They will require water regularly. Take special care of your grass and shrubs during dry periods. Due to the amount of water that these materials need, watering may need to be completed for longer periods of time 64 | Edition July 2019