Page 86 - KHovanian Homes - Pathway to Homeownership

Section 9 | Home Care & Maintenance beyond the screen itself. We strongly advise that you never allow children near an open screened window, or place any weight on, or push against a window screen. Similarly do not place furniture near windows so that children have easy access to the window. WINTERIZING YOUR HOME During the winter months there are some necessary precautions that every homeowner should adhere to concerning the protection of the water system and maintaining gutters. For more information, refer to the Water Shutoff Section under Plumbing and the Gutter and Downspout information in the Exterior Systems. Maintenance Guidelines • Leaves can cause big problems. When gutters get clogged with leaves, water overflows and can sometimes result in leaks. We recommend constant checks of your gutter system. • Remove all water hoses from the outside water faucets. Any water left in a hose could freeze and result in pressure on the faucets causing them to crack and/or leak. Freezeless faucets will not work if a hose is left connected. • If your water heater is located in the utility room, leaving the light on will generate some heat in warmer temperatures. During extreme cold weather conditions you may want to consider an additional source of heat. • Closing the crawl space vents can help prevent water pipes from freezing. • Neglecting preventative maintenance can result in voided warranty of certain repairs. HOME CARE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE FOR WATER INTRUSION Pro-active maintenance steps to keeping a home sweet home. HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITY Your home requires proper care from your first day of occupancy, continuing throughout its lifetime. Many of its care and maintenance needs are very simple, but ongoing. One of the biggest problems that improper maintenance can cause is mold. Notify K. Hovnanian® Homes if mold is found or a water leak occurs. Call the Homeowner Service number you were given at closing and follow up with a letter. What is Mold? Mold is a type of fungus. It occurs naturally in the environment. It spreads by means of microscopic spores borne on the wind, and is found everywhere life can be supported. Residential home construction is not, and cannot be, designed to exclude mold spores. In order to grow, mold requires a food source. This might be supplied by items found in the home, such as fabric, carpet, wallpaper, or by building materials, such as drywall, wood, and insulation, to name a few. Although mold is more prevalent in cold, damp climates and tends to grow in dark, interior spaces, it can begin to grow on construction materials within twenty-four to forty- eight hours following water damage and can expand exponentially as it uses the building materials as its food source. Natural disasters such as floods and storms can contribute to the growth of mold on roofs. Mold spores can enter a building through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Spores also attach themselves to people, animals, clothing, shoes, bags, and pets, which are a common means of transport. Finally, mold growth requires moisture. By minimizing moisture, a homeowner can reduce or eliminate mold growth. Spills, leaks, overflow condensation, and high humidity (greater than 50% indoors) are common sources of home moisture. Good housekeeping and home maintenance practices are essential in the effort to prevent or eliminate mold growth. Common sources of moisture include water leaks through roofs and windows, water leaks from faulty piping, water leaks through basement foundations, water associated with poor ventilation practices, water associated with condensation, failure to maintain 68 | Edition July 2019