Warranty and Maintenance Information – Novella Homes' Commitment to Customer Service

Novella Homes is proud to provide some of the most comprehensive new home warranties in the building industry. For an outline of our coverage and guarantees please see your Novella Sales Representative.

What is the safest way to clean stainless steel sinks? How should you prepare your home for winter weather? Answers to questions like these – and many more – are provided below in Novella’s helpful Maintenance Information.

A Maintenance Guide to Your New Home

I. Exterior
II. Interior
III. Winterizing Your Home
IV. Water Well Instructions
V. Septic System Maintenance

I. Exterior

A) Foundation - Proper water drainage around the foundation will keep the basement dry. A drain tile system and, in some cases, a sump pump is installed in your home. You should check periodically to ensure that all drains are clear of debris, pumps are operating, window wells are clean, and that there is a proper grade so that water drains away from the foundation walls.

B) Basement and Garage Slabs - Clean concrete floors with a solution of baking soda and water, avoid using salt in icy conditions as this can cause severe damage to exterior concrete surfaces. A sealer may be used to protect concrete from water penetration.

C) Brick Veneer- Bricks can be cleaned with a soap and water solution
using a stiff brush. Efflorescence, a chemical process that leaves a white chalky residue on the brick can be removed with a stiff brush and water.

D) Exterior Wood Trim and Wood Siding - Keep garden sprinklers away from your home. Moisture and direct sunlight are the worst enemies of these products. Inspect joints and wood seams to make sure they are caulked tightly.

E) Aluminum/Vinyl Siding - Aluminum or vinyl siding is an almost maintenance free material. For specific cleaning instructions refer to the manufacturer's specifications.

F) Decks - A deck is constructed of pressure treated wood and is impervious to rotting and insect damage. To prolong the life of your deck, treat it with water repellant or wood preservative found at your local hardware store. To ensure tightness, check nuts and bolts and deck supports annually.

G) Gutters and Downspouts - Keep gutters clean and free of leaves or other debris that would obstruct a proper flow and drainage. Check to make sure downspouts are directing water away from the house, and that splash blocks are installed at each downspout location.

H) Attic - The roof truss system is not designed to accommodate additional weight and should not be used for a storage area. The Novella Group installs heat and moisture controlling devices in the attic which include ridge vents, covers, soffit vents, and in some homes, exhaust fans. Do not cover these vents. Every now and then the insulation in the attic gets displaced. To maximize efficiency, you should periodically check for even coverage.

I) Garage Doors - Lubricate moving parts every three (3) months and check the screws, bolts, and hardware for tightness annually.

J) Door Locks and Door Hardware - Occasionally check screws on the lock set and on the keeper plate for tightness, and adjust accordingly. Spraying white graphite into the key lock holes keeps them operating smoothly.

K) Windows - Wood frames should be maintained and painted regularly. If a window does not slide freely, rub the channel with paraffin or a wax candle. For metal doors or windows, use a silicon lubricant.

L) Exterior Hose Bibs - Conventional exterior hose bibs require winterizing. To avoid a rupture, or bursting of a water pipe, this procedure must be performed prior to the first frost.
To prevent exterior pipes from freezing:

1) Turn off the interior water pipe valve, then open exterior faucet.

2) Loosen the bleeder nut located on the underside of the interior water valve. This will allow air into the line.

3) Leave the interior valve turned off and the exterior faucet open throughout the winter season. Then to start the water flowing, reverse this process in the Spring.

M) Asphalt Driveways - Fill holes and cracks with a ready-mix asphalt patching compound. A sealer should be applied to the driveway, but wait until after one year of occupancy. The asphalt sealer protects the driveway from water penetration and can prolong the life of the asphalt.

Consult sealant manufacturer specifications for recommended sealant application intervals.

N) The Lawn - The condition of your yard depends on how you care for it after it is installed. The Novella Group will not be responsible for neglect or improper landscape maintenance. We offer the following suggestions to help you nurture your yard:

1) Seeding-Where grass seed is used, a layer of straw or hydro mulch is placed on top of the seed. Do not rake the straw or mulch away, as this will disturb the germination of underlying grasses. Gently redistribute the straw or mulch if it is heavily matted. The straw or mulch will eventually decompose to provide the soil with additional nutrients.

2) Watering

(a) Both sod and grass seed require constant moisture throughout the first growing season. If allowed to dry out, the grass seed will not germinate, and the sod will shrink causing gaps to appear between the sections. If this occurs, the Homeowner will need to repair these areas.

(b) Water each section of the lawn for approximately 30 minutes twice a day, once in the morning, and once in the late afternoon. When moving the sprinkler, check to see if you are leaving foot prints. If so, the area has been over watered.

(c) Extremely hot weather or above average rainfall will affect these instructions.

3) Mowing - Mow the new grass when it grows to height of 3 to 4 inches. Do not rake the newly seeded areas, as the grass is still young and fragile. Do not mow if the ground is soggy. Set the mower at the highest setting and be sure the mower blades are sharp.

4) Fertilizing, Weeding, and Liming

(a) Proper fertilization and weed control are paramount to the success of your lawn. For proper fertilizing, weeding, and liming guidelines, contact a lawn care specialist.

(b) To help the lawn through its early growth period, fertilizer is applied to the initial seeding.

(c) Do not spray immature grass with chemicals to kill weeds. If you live in a community with highly acidic soil, apply lime as necessary following manufacturer's directions.

O) New Shrubs and Tree Care - all trees and shrubs are nursery grown and initially planted by a landscape contractor. The Homeowner is responsible for maintaining the new plantings with proper maintenance care and with water. The first six to nine months are the most crucial for new plantings. The type of tree or shrub will dictate the specific care needed.

II. Interior

A) Drywall

(1) Minor drywall cracks and nail pops on the interior walls and ceiling surfaces are caused by home settlement and the normal drying of stud framing and drywall materials. Nail pops are nails that come loose from the studs, pushing the drywall joint compound up to produce a bump on the drywall surface. Both nail pops and small drywall cracks are simple to repair.

(2) Reset the protruding nail slightly into the gypsum board surface or remove it entirely. Place another drywall nail two inches above or below the popped nail, and gently hammer it slightly below the paper surface. Then cover the area with spackling compound, allow to dry, sand smooth, and repaint the surface.

(3) For drywall joint cracks, press a small V shaped indentation using the back of a putty knife along the length of the crack, about 1/8 inch deep and 1/8 inch wide. Spackle, sand, and repaint as with nail pops.

(4) To prevent cracks wider than 1/4 inch from reopening, first apply the spackling compound, cover the crack with a strip of drywall tape, add another top layer of spackle feathering the edges well, sand to a smooth finish, repaint.

(5) Deep scrapes and indentations on drywall surfaces can be filled with two or three applications of spackling compound. Allow it to dry thoroughly, and sand between each application.

B) Painting

(1) Cleaning Flat Latex Painted Surfaces - Latex paint is applied to the interior walls of the home. This is not a washable paint, and will smudge if cleaned. Novella Homes does not recommend washing these surfaces, but instead suggests using the supplied touch-up paint to cover scuffs and marks.

(2) Cleaning Semi-Gloss Latex Painted Surfaces - Semi-gloss latex paints are applied to interior wood trim and doors. These surfaces may be cleaned with a sponge and lukewarm water.

(3) The less moisture on the sponge, the better. Wipe quickly with a gentle washing pressure from top to bottom without allowing the solution to run down the door or trim. If the water does not work, try the same procedure using a small amount of mild detergent mixed with water. Once complete, lightly rinse the washed area with plain water and allow to dry.

C) Ceramic Tile

(1) Tile can be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner or tile cleaner. Cracks between tile and adjacent material should be caulked with a quality grade tub and tile caulk, taking care to wipe clean once caulking is complete.

(2) Grout can be sealed to reduce the moisture penetration and stainability of the grout. Follow directions given by the grout sealer manufacturer to ensure proper application and to safeguard against discoloration of the grout.

D) Carpeting

(1) Frequent vacuuming and immediate stain removal are primary carpet care steps. For complete instructions, please refer to the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations.

(2) While normal vacuuming will only remove loose fibers from carpet yarns, an occasional tuft may be lifted above the surface. Do not pull out the tuft, instead, snip it off to the length of the other tufts using scissors.

(3) Color fading caused by sunlight can be minimized by closing the draperies during the day, or by using sheer draperies to reduce incoming sunlight.

E) Resilient Floor Coverings

1) For resilient floor cleaning and maintenance guidelines, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

2) Mop up bathroom water spills from showers and baths immediately. Water seeping into the mastic through the seams and under the baseboard trim can cause seam separation and lifting. To minimize this problem, a silicone caulk, available at hardware stores, is recommended for use at tub and floor joints.

3) To protect the resilient flooring from scuffing and surface damage, attach furniture protectors to the bottom of furniture legs. Be aware that high heel shoes will damage resilient floor coverings.

F) Hardwood Flooring

1) For hardwood floor cleaning and maintenance guidelines, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

2) Use entrance rugs or mats to protect wood flooring from dirt and water spots. Mop up water spills immediately. Do not set plants directly on a hardwood floor as moisture can leak through and cause permanent staining and warpage.

G) Interior Doors - Home settlement or damp weather may cause swelling that puts the door out of alignment. In some cases, this may only be temporary due to seasonal variations, and the sticking will correct itself without any adjustment. If adjustment is required, check hinge screws for tightness.

H) Sliding Glass Doors

(1) Clean glass with a spray glass cleanser and wipe frames with sudsy water and a soft cloth. Periodically clean the bottom of the door track, and check to ensure that drain holes are clear of obstructions. To keep the doors moving freely, apply a silicone spray to the tracks.

(2) Keep sprinklers away from sliding glass doors and windows when watering the lawn.

I) Plumbing

(1) Water Supply Valves - To facilitate minor repairs or for emergencies, most plumbing fixtures have a water supply valve to individually shut off the water supply to that fixture. Show your family members how to operate these valves and where they are located. You will find them on sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, on the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and the laundry tub.

(2) Toilet Valves are behind the toilet, sink valves are under the sink.

(3) Drain Traps - Drain traps can be cleaned by putting 3 tablespoons of ordinary washing soda (not baking soda) into the drain. Add a little hot water, let stand for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Use a rubber plunger to unclog a blocked toilet.

(4) Sanitary Sewer Lines - Do not put hair, grease, lint, garbage, heavy tissue, disposable diapers, or sanitary materials into the sewer system.

(5) Water Heaters

(a) Hot Water Temperature. Water temperatures ranging from 125F to 145F are preset at the factory, as specified in the manufacturer's service manual. While lowering in the settings reduces utility operating costs, bear in mind that dishwashers do not sanitize properly with settings below 125F. Most gas water heaters feature a "vacation setting" switch to reduce costs while you are away, without completely shutting the water heater off.

(b) Do not store combustible items, oily rags, clothing, brooms, or dust mops near the water heater, since this obstructs airflow and presents a potential fire hazard.

(c) Scale. Small amounts of scale deposits will collect and settle to the bottom of the water tank. Remove this residue by periodically draining water from the tank.

(d) For electric water heaters, shut off the power first, using the appropriate circuit breaker, then open the valve at the bottom of the water heater, allowing a quart or two of residue to drain out until the water runs clean. Do not completely drain an electric water tank without first shutting off the water heater circuit breaker, otherwise, the heating element will quickly burn up.

(e) For gas water heaters, drain out one gallon.

(6) Porcelain Fixtures

(a) To clean, use a non-abrasive spray cleanser and sponge. Dropping heavy objects onto porcelain can chip or crack the surface, and may produce permanent damage. Do not leave steel wool pads on sink surfaces, as they will rust and stain the finish.

(b) Be aware that continuous action toilet bowl cleansers, placed in the toilet water tank can prematurely wear out the rubber tank flapper and discolor the bowl.

(7) Sinks and Bathtubs

(a) For routine cleaning, use a non-abrasive household cleanser with warm water and a sponge. Do not scrape the surface with utensils, pots, or pans. Do not leave leftovers in the sink or drainer, particularly tea bags, which contain harmful acids. Washing soda, not baking soda, should be added to the drain to keep it grease and soap free.

(b) Do not clean stainless steel sinks with steel wool or metal brushes, and do not leave rubber mats in the sink because they trap water and produce surface discoloration. To restore luster to stainless steel, apply a small amount of mineral oil with a soft cloth, then wipe dry.

(c) Clean porcelain-on-steel bathtubs, fiberglass tub and shower combinations, and shower stall floors with warm water and a non-abrasive cleanser. Check bathtub stoppers and shower floor drain grates for hair accumulation.

III. Winterizing Your Home

Listed below are some suggested procedures for winterizing your home and protecting your plumbing system.

• From November 1 to May 1, remove the outside garden hoses and store them in a warm place.
• Shut off the water supply to your hose bibs.
  Remove screw on pep cock and store in a safe place.
• Go outside and open your hose bib to drain the water from in the line where it might freeze passing through a masonry wall.
• Pull upward on anti-siphon ring on your hose bib to insure all water is drained out of the water line.
• Remember that in the Spring, before you turn on the water, do the above in reverse order.

  - Lower the anti-siphon ring
  - Close the outside hose bib to the off position
  - Put screw back on pep cock
  - Turn on the water at the inside locations

IV. Water Well Instructions (If Applicable)
Including Submersible Well Pumps

The well and submersible well pump, (the water system) provided to you meet all State and local Health Department Regulations.

However, prolonged usage for outside irrigation is discouraged as this may cause pump failure, which is not covered under the terms of your warranty.

The well system is of the highest quality and design, but has its limitations. These include the gallons of water per minute the well can produce and the depth of the well. Each well differs in depth and rate of recovery. Please review your well certification for details. If you should run your well for a long period of time, the reserve may be depleted. If this occurs, there is a chance that your water use would outpace the rate at which your well refills or recovers. When using water outside for washing vehicles or watering lawns, care should be taken not to operate the dishwasher, clothes washer, or run interior water extensively.

V. Septic System Maintenance (If Applicable)

Pumping the septic tank regularly greatly reduces the need for costly repairs and may enhance the life of your sewage disposal system.

Accumulation of solids and grease in the drain field is a primary cause of premature failure of the sewage disposal system. Pumping the septic tank every 3 to 5 years minimizes the amounts of sludge and grease that reach your drain field.

Pumping the septic tank aids in the protection of groundwater and surface water resources from contamination due to failing sewage disposal systems.

Please Note: Regular maintenance of septic systems is now required. For more information please refer to "Your Septic System Reference Guide" located in the front pocket of your Homeowners Manual.