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G CAM LTD.
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Home Maintenance
Maintain the air conditioning compressor in a level position to prevent inefficient operation and damage to the equipment. Keep the unit free from obstructions, which may prevent the flow of air to and from the unit. Do not allow grass or leaves to collect around the unit.
Remember to change or clean the filter regularly. A clogged filter can slow the flow of air. Vacuum air supply and air return registers to remove dust and lint.
AppliancesYour new appliances come with an instruction manual. Read them carefully, and fill out and mail any necessary warranty documents. Read all instruction manuals thoroughly prior to operating any of the appliances and keep the instructions available for reference.
Should problems arise with the operation of any kitchen appliance during the warranty period, please contact the manufacturer through their local service company. When reporting warranty items to the appliance manufacturer, be prepared to supply the following details: date of purchase (your closing date), serial and model numbers (found on a metal plate or sticker on the side or bottom of each appliance), and a description of the problem.
Remove excess food or debris from your dishwasher to insure uninterrupted use. The range and oven should be kept clean and free from grease build-up on a regular basis. Use non-abrasive cleaners on enameled surfaces to avoid etching.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, do not use any other method to clean it, as this will damage the self-cleaning mechanism. Clean the outside of your oven with a non-abrasive cleaner such as baking soda. Your oven has a separate electric circuit. If the oven fails to work, check the oven circuit breaker. Clean range hood filters on a regular basis. Consult your owner's manual for instructions.
It is important to avoid gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and other chemical spills and leaks on the asphalt. They can dissolve or damage the surface. Wash any spills with soap and water, and then rinse them thoroughly with plain water. Any holes left by these spills should be filled with cold patch. Any hairline cracks that may develop due to the contraction and expansion of the ground should be filled with crack filler. These products can be purchased from your local building supply store or hardware store.
Regular cleaning requires only wiping with a damp cloth and drying. Remove grease, oil, or general soil using a clean cloth dampened with a fresh solution of mild soap and water. Rinse with a clean water-dampened cloth and let dry. Avoid using harsh detergents, strong soap, abrasive cleaners, or polishing waxes. They could have a deteriorating effect on the finished surfaces. Make sure not to leave the wood soaked with water, as it may swell or warp. Damage can also result from operating appliances that generate large amounts of moisture too near the cabinet. When operating such appliances, do not place them directly under a cabinet.
Readily visible variations in wood grain and color are normal in all wood or wood veneer selections. Replacements will not be made due to such variations.
With proper regular care, you can add years of life to your carpet and help to maintain its original appearance. It is important to vacuum thoroughly and frequently, especially in high traffic areas. Vacuuming helps remove dirt particles and prevents it from looking dull and faded. Wipe spills and clean stains immediately. For best results, blot or dab any spill or stain; avoid rubbing.
Sharp-edged objects can grab or snag the carpet fiber. If this occurs, carefully cut off the snag, EXCEPT if you have Berber carpet. If the snag is large, or if you have Berber carpet, call a professional.
Caulking should be used to seal water out of areas where it can cause damage, such as toilets and tubs, kitchen sinks, doors and windows. Time and weather can shrink and dry calking so that it no longer provides a good seal and will cause serious rotting problems. As a routine maintenance, check the caulking and make needed repairs. Caulk and dispenser guns can be found at most hardware stores.
See manual for instructions and tips on your central vacuum system. Or check out the manual online at www.garysvacuflo.com
It is not mandatory to seal your tile and grout. Grout that becomes discolored or stained can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush, a non-abrasive cleaner and water. If the stain is not easily removed, call a tile company and ask what to use before permanently damaging the surface with something abrasive. Sealing the tile grout will help prevent staining and discoloring, although it makes future repair extremely difficult. Once grout becomes sealed, ongoing maintenance of that seal is necessary and repair coverage on grout that has been sealed is void.
Concrete foundations, walks, drives and patios can develop hairline cracks not affecting the structural integrity of the home. There is no known method of eliminating this condition, which is caused by characteristics of expansion and contraction. Wait 6 to 8 days before driving on your freshly poured concrete. Do not use any de-icer on your concrete for the first year (use sand only). Never use de-icers containing ammonium sulphate or nitrate on your concrete.
Light maintenance for stone, if required, would be lightly washing with water and dish soap to remove dust or dirt. Do not sandblast or wash with acid, abrasive cleaners or high-pressure water.
Doors are natural wood products and are subject to shrinkage and warpage. Wood moves and will expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. It is important for wood doors not to be directly exposed to water. If a door warps slightly, keep it closed as much as possible and it should return to normal.
Drywall
Drywall will sometimes develop nail pops, slight cracking, or seams may become visible in walls and ceilings. Cracks can be filled with spackle or caulk. When dry, smooth it out with fine sandpaper, spray texture as needed and then paint.
Make sure all household members know where the breaker panel is, in case of emergency. Every home has a master circuit breaker that controls all the electrical power to the home, along with smaller circuit breakers. When a breaker trips, you must first switch the breaker to OFF and then back to ON. Breakers trip due to overloads caused by plugging too many appliances into the circuit, a worn cord or defective appliance, or operating an appliance with too high a voltage required for the circuit. Starting an electric motor can also trip a breaker (motors require more current to start than they require when operating).
GFCI’s (Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters) offer more protection than just overloads. Many areas require these for outdoor wiring, or for rooms with outlets exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Ground fault circuit breakers are also recommended for workshops and areas where power tools are in use. Once a month, press the test button, then press reset. If, during normal use, a GFCI breaker trips, rest the breaker. It if trips again it may indicate a faulty appliance. If it is not the appliance it may be a faulty GFCI, in which case you should call an electrician.
Chimneys need cleaning like everything else. Have your fireplace cleaned about once a year (or more depending on use). A dirty fireplace can cause chimney fires or contribute to air pollution. Creosote, a flammable substance that is hard, dark, and crustlike, is produced during the wood burning process. It must be removed so as not to start a dangerous chimney fire. You can minimize it by burning dry hardwoods, since their lower moisture content promotes more complete burning. Close the damper when the fire is out to keep warm room air inside. If you notice any cracks in the chimney, and any loose mortar or brick, have your chimney repaired.
The foundation of your home has been designed and installed according to the recommendations of an engineer. See Grading & Drainage for tips on protecting your home’s foundation.
Every 6 months, apply some garage door lubricant to all moving parts: tracks, rollers, hinges, pulleys, and springs. Read the manufacturer’s manual to be familiar with what to do in the event of a power failure.
The final grades around your home have been inspected and approved for proper drainage of your lot. Maintain the slopes around your home to permit the water to drain away from the home. It is essential to protect your foundation. We established the final grade to ensure adequate drainage away from the home. Always monitor the grading because soils consolidate over time. Settling typically occurs within 3 feet of the foundation (where the foundation forms were positioned during construction and later removed), so supplemental soil may need to be added to maintain the required slopes.
Granite is a natural product and simple care and maintenance is required to keep it looking beautiful. Your counter has a polish applied to the surface. However, you may wish to use a sealer to protect the surface from stain and scuff marks. Sealer needs to be re-applied every six months or so, depending on use. Sealer can be purchased at various tile and granite suppliers such as Home Depot, Color Tile, Daltile, Tile City, etc. To maintain your granite, simply keep it clean by wiping with a damp cloth and mild liquid dish washing detergent. Too much cleaner or soap should be avoided to reduce streaks. After using soap, the surface should be rinsed properly with water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or steel wool; these products will damage the luster of the surface.
Check your gutters periodically and make sure they are clean and free of debris and ensure that the downspout traps are free of obstruction. The best times to inspect gutters are at the end of fall and spring.
For the first 5 or 6 weeks after a hardwood floor is installed, do not put any throw rugs on floor, especially those with a rubber, foam, or plastic backing. They may cause yellowing and warping of the floor surface. Do not drag furniture or heavy items across floor, as it will get scratched. Keep dirt and grit off the floor to prevent scratches.
If hardwood floors come into contact with direct sunlight, it can cause irreparable damage to the floor. Install and use window coverings in these areas.
Do not use wax on finished floor. Use 1 gallon lukewarm water with 1 cup of white vinegar to clean floor. Do not flood floor with water. If you have a stubborn spot, you can use mild soap on a sponge to remove. Thoroughly rinse floor after cleaning with soap.
Wood is a natural product and varies in color and grain. Wood moves and will expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. This movement may result in cracks appearing in your floor. The temperature in your home should be maintained at 65 to 72 degrees. This will help limit floor movement. Warping will occur if the floor becomes wet repeatedly or is thoroughly soaked even once. Slight warping in the area of heat vents or heat-producing appliances is also typical.
Avoid overheating. Overheating can cause excessive shrinkage of framing lumber and may materially damage the home.
Remember to change or clean the filter monthly. A clogged filter can slow airflow and cause cold spots in your home. Although it takes less than a minute to change the filter, this is one of the most frequently overlooked details of normal furnace care.
A new heating system may release an odor for a few moments when you first turn it on. An established system may release an odor after being unused for an extended period of time. This is caused by dust that has settled in the ducts and should pass quickly.
If you smell gas, call the gas company immediately.
Do not place sprinkler heads within 5 feet of your home. Make sure the grade is appropriate and slopes away from your home.
Using liquid glass cleaners (available at hardware and grocery stores) and a clean cloth usually gets the job done. If no glass cleaner is available, mixing 1 cup of vinegar to a gallon of water will work just as well. For heavier cleaning jobs, try 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 3 tablespoons of vinegar in a quart of warm water. Do not clean in direct sunlight, as it will leave streaks because the cleaning solution dries before you can wipe it off.
Painted surfaces may be cleaned with a solution of mild detergent and water. Wipe gently; do not scrub or use any abrasive cleaners or scouring pads. Test cleaning solution in an inconspicuous corner first; if wall color and finish look the same, go ahead and use. Re-paint as desired.
Semi-annually, faucet aerators and tub drains need to be cleaned. This is your responsibility as a homeowner.
Sanitary sewer lines can become clogged and cause back-up problems. Do not flush hair, grease, lint, diapers, facial tissues, sanitary napkins, cotton swabs, or other foreign objects down the toilet drain, as these can easily cause blockage problems.
Your porcelain surfaced sinks, where applicable, demand careful use. For daily cleaning of the kitchen sink a commercial window/glass cleaner with ammonia will give excellent results. Occasionally, a more thorough cleaning may be needed, and many commercial cleaning products are available. Never use steel wool products. Your bathtub should not be cleaned with an abrasive substance. Any foaming bath and tile cleaner is acceptable for removing normal soil. The tub spout is an integral part of the tub and under no circumstances should be used as a support when getting in or out of the tub. Using the spout as a support will cause permanent damage.
It's a good idea to inspect and repair your roof in autumn, before the hard weather hits. Then examine the roof again in spring to assess whatever damage may have occurred during the winter. Limit walking on your roof. If you have to walk on it for any reason, be careful not to damage the surface or the flashings.
Inspect your siding for damage in the spring and autumn. Look for obvious problems, such as warped boards, missing or damaged shingles, holes in stucco, crumbling mortar, cracks, and defective paint. Don't ignore less obvious interior problems such as dry rot and termite damage-- these can eventually destroy your house. Make any needed repairs promptly. Clean and repaint regularly. Do not clean siding with chemicals, steel wool, or wire brushes, for there is no effective remedy for scuffed or scraped aluminum or vinyl siding, except replacement.
Sweep floor regularly to remove loose dirt. Damp mop using a gallon of water and a dash of dishwashing detergent regularly, to keep abrasive soil off the surface.
Use a doormat outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Use non-staining mats on your floor. Do not put rubber-backed, latex-backed, or coco-fiber mats on your floor because they will stain or damage the surface.
Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings, including resilient floors, to fade or discolor.
If you need to move heavy furniture and/or appliances, such as your refrigerator, across the floor, always use strips of wood or hardboard runways to protect the floor. Always use runways even if you have an appliance dolly, or even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers.
The interior walls and ceilings of your home have been decorated with quality paint products. They should give you long service if cared for properly. The painted walls are not meant to be scrubbed. Gentle cleaning with a mild soap should remove most spots. The best insurance against repainting is to keep your air conditioning filters clean, to use the exhaust fans over your range and in the bathrooms, and to quickly vacuum dust as it collects. If the need to re-paint arises, your custom color paint is located in the homebuyer’s packet after purchasing the home.
CAUTION: Be very careful when attaching hardware for heavy hanging plants, lamps and macramé. The hardware must be attached to a ceiling joist. The drywall used in your ceiling is not designed to support any weight.Carefully read the manufacturers’ manuals for your specific model of water heater. Water heaters will need to be drained of some water from the bottom about once a year. This reduces build-up of chemical deposits and dirty water.
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G Cam Ltd 221 N. Grant Street, Suite A Canby, Oregon 97013 Tel: (503) 263-2005 Fax: (503) 263-2007 E-mail: info@gcamltd.com CCB# 87501 Copyright © 2004-2007 G Cam Ltd. All rights reserved. |
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