Plumbing

The plumbing system installed in your home involves new materials and modern design. You will find information in your “New Home Express Limited Warranty” that informs you as to care and maintenance for the various plumbing systems in your home. You should spend some time getting to know your plumbing system in case you have an emergency or simple problem that can be solved in minutes.

There are numerous water shutoffs in your home. Most importantly, you and your family should become familiar with the main water shutoff to your home. This is the shutoff for water from the street to your home, located typically at the hose bib near the front of your home. You must shut this water source off in the event of a water emergency.

Your sprinkler system has a water shutoff located next to the irrigation control valves. If you have a landscape water emergency you may shut the water off to the sprinklers without loosing water to your home. Each plumbing fixture also has a water shutoff. These can be located where the plumbing comes out from the wall, behind the toilet tank or under the sink. These shutoff knobs are oval shaped valves, which can be turned on or off; your family should become familiar with this operation.

Another water shutoff is located on your water heater, towards the top of the system. There is also an overflow device that can be used to empty the system if needed. Only an adult should operate the water heater. Please keep children away from the water heater, as it is a dangerous appliance if played with. Your water heater has a manufacturer warranty; contact the Builder if under your Express Limited Warranty period and they will contact a licensed plumber for you. If you are not under warranty, contact a licensed plumber for service.

You will find U-shaped drainpipes under your sinks which the Builder uses to keep sewer gas from coming into your home. These drain pipes can become clogged due to their design. It is homeowner responsibility to maintain clean running pipes throughout the home. If you do not use your sinks very often, it is possible that the water in the U-shaped pipes can evaporate allowing a smell of sewer gas into your home. To prevent this, try to regularly use the plumbing fixtures in your home.

Bathtub and Tub/Showers- The bathtubs in your home are made of three different materials. They can be acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain on cast iron. Jetted tubs are fiberglass set in a concrete base. Your bathtubs will need routine maintenance, as all other components in your home. Clean your tubs using a non-abrasive cleanser and always wash all cleansers completely from the surface of your fixtures. Your plumbing fixtures are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Please become familiar with your warranty included in your “New Home Express Limited Warranty,” Trades section. You are responsible for replacing the caulking at your bathtub as needed. Builder cannot be responsible for homeowner negligence concerning caulking.

Water Systems- Your new home may have a water filtration system installed at the kitchen sink. This is intended to reduce the amount of contaminants in your drinking water. Water from the system has been pre-piped to the refrigerator area for your refrigerator’s icemaker. The Builder does not hook up the water to your refrigerator and assumes no liability in the case of a water leak due to hose connection. You will need to keep up a regular routine maintenance schedule for the filter on this appliance. Builder does not provide water system warranty or repair. Your home may also have a soft water system installed to reduce the amount of minerals and sediment from your water. This will help keep your plumbing fixtures clean, as it reduces the amount of elements that cling to the surfaces of your home. You will need to become familiar with the cycles that your system goes through. Salt will need to be placed in your systems tank regularly. Do not let the tank empty completely of salt.

Fixtures- The Builder provides suitable plumbing fixtures in order to add beauty and durability to your home. Some materials are softer than others, Brass and Chromium in particular. For these fixtures, do not scrub or use abrasive cleaners. Keep them dry and clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Polished brass and bright chromium are also used in new homes and are more durable than other materials. Use a standard nonabrasive cleanser and keep dry. These fixtures are less likely to corrode than other products.

Do not apply excessive force to any of your plumbing fixtures. You can break the seals and cause leaks that are sometimes undetected until much damage has been done. These seals will need to be regularly replaced which can be done by a licensed plumber, or if you opt to purchase parts yourself, this can be easily accomplished. There are aerators on the end of your faucets that will need to be cleaned. To do this wait until you notice that the water coming out of your faucet has decreased, unscrew the end cap, and rinse clean, then replace when clean.

Toilets- The toilets in your home are made of vitreous china. This product is resistant to staining but can break or chip easily. Due to this, Builder cannot warrant toilet or bathtub/shower after close of escrow. These items are covered by a manufacturer warranty located in your “New Home Express Limited Warranty.”

Your Express Limited Warranty covers toilet stoppages that occur due to construction debris. The warranty does not cover stoppages that are not construction related. Make an attempt to clear the stoppage from your toilet before calling the Builder under the warranty. If the Builder responds to a homeowner maintenance item, you will be charged a standard service fee. You have water saver toilets installed in your home. These toilets are designed to use the least amount of water and more pressure to force objects through your sewer system. If you find that your toilet is not completely clearing debris from the bowl, try to flush again after the tank has refilled.