Page 84 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance be at your expense. Please refer to the instructions that came with your sprinkler system. Maintenance Guidelines • Periodically trim the sod back from the sprinkler heads to allow them to function properly. • In the event of a power failure your system will need to be reset, so make sure to keep the manufacturer’s instructions handy. A good place is either at the unit or with this manual. • If you plan any landscaping changes or any additions to your home, such as a patio, deck, or pool, make sure to reconfigure your sprinkler system to allow for the changes. • If you install your own sprinkler system, make sure that you do not place sprinkler heads within five feet of your home. ROOFING Your roof is constructed with roofing felt, shingles, flashing, ridge vents, gutters, and downspouts. These materials are installed following manufacturer’s guidelines and product specifications. Never nail anything to your roof, and never walk on the roof unless it is absolutely necessary, as this will often cause a serious roof leak with damage to interior walls. Roofs often survive repeated storms with little or no damage, but the nature of these storms rules out any guarantee against storm damage. Maintenance Guidelines • Severe weather may cause minor leaks in your roof system. Contact your homeowner’s insurance company immediately. We recommend that you hire a qualified roofer soon after the roof has dried to repair any leaks. • Roofing materials may be loosened or blown off the roof during a storm without impairing the water tight quality of the roof. However, should this happen to you, we recommend having the roof inspected and repaired as soon as possible. • Severe winds may cause some composition shingles to lift slightly. They will settle back into position during warmer weather. Visually check the roof (from the ground) after bad storms to determine if shingles are torn, broken, or missing, and have a roofing contractor immediately replace any to prevent water penetration and damage. • Maintain your gutters and downspouts so they are free of debris and able to quickly drain precipitation from the roof. ROOFING - FLASHING Roof flashings are sheet metal trims used around roof openings on vents, valleys, and skylights. Their purpose is to channel water onto the shingles. ROOFING - RIDGE VENTS In some locations, ridge vents are located at the peak, or top ridge of the roof, and serve to reduce the heat that builds up in the attic. As the hot air rises out of the ridge vent, cooler air is drawn into the attic through the soffit vents. Keep obstructions away from the vent openings. WATER INFILTRATION To reduce water infiltration at basement walls and foundations, we implemented several important precautions during the construction and grading process of your home. A drain around the exterior perimeter, or interior perimeter in some cases, of the basement is installed to carry off any water that might penetrate the structure. Make sure that you know which drain system you have. It should have been discussed at the Gold Key Orientation. If you can not remember which system you have, contact our Homeowner Service Department for assistance. Gutters and downspouts are used to control and direct roof water off and away from the home. It is imperative that all downspout extensions are kept in the down position. Maintenance Guidelines Controlling Foundation Water Infiltration: The following guidelines, when implemented, will help control and prevent water infiltration problems. 66 | Edition July 2019