Spring

April showers may bring wet ceilings, walls, and basements if the harsh winter weather has caused damage to the exterior elements of your home. The following items should be inspected for damage or failure and corrected as soon as weather permits.

• Check the roof for any loose or damaged ridge vents, shingles, flashing or caulking. This inspection should be performed from the ground or from a ladder. Use extreme caution when climbing onto a roof. Repair or replace as needed. Contact IntegraTech if damage is verified under normal weather conditions. Your builder is not responsible for damage caused by severe weather such as ice damming, high winds and driven rains.
• Check the chimney for any signs of separation from the main structure. Caulk any gap up to ½” in width. Any gap measuring more than ½” in a 10’ measurement should be reported to IntegraTech during the contract period.
• Check the gutter system for signs of seam separations, separation from the main structure, or other damage that may cause water to stand more that one inch in depth, such as buckles, sags or improper pitches. Report such deficiencies to IntegraTech if during the contract period.
• Clean any debris from the gutters and downspouts to allow proper drainage. This is the homeowner’s responsibility.
• Re-connect or replace any leaders (downspout extensions) that have become dislodged or missing. Leaders should discharge at least 4’ from the foundation.
• Check all exterior caulking (sealants) and weather stripping around windows and doors for deterioration that will cause the intrusion of water or excessive drafts. The builder is responsible to correct such deficiencies one time during the first year of occupancy. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain caulking once the condition has been corrected.
• Check exterior siding for delamination, splitting, joint separation or deterioration. Contact IntegraTech if these condition exist during the contract period. Such deficiencies are the responsibility of the homeowner after the first year.
• Check the exterior painted and stained surfaces for deterioration. Contact IntegraTech if deterioration is observed during the contract period.
• Check the grading around the foundation for signs of settlement that will cause water to not drain away from the structure. Fill any areas that have not settled more that 6” in depth. Contact IntegraTech if settlement of more than 6” has occurred during the contract period.

Those days of frigid cold temperatures are finally behind you (depending on your location of course) and your furnace is no longer under the stress of heating the home 24 hours a day. This is a good time to take measures to insure your indoor comfort during the heat of summer.

• Check the air filter in the furnace and replace it if it looks dirty. Dirty air filters are the number one cause of heating and cooling deficiencies and should be replaced every 30 days during periods of heavy use. This is the homeowner’s responsibility.
• Change the mode on your thermostat to “cool” (if so equipped) and run the cooling system. Check the air at the registers to insure there is cold air coming out. If the air does not feel cold, check the circuit breakers and exterior service box to make sure the electrical system is working. The unit may need charged with coolant gas if the system is operating but not cooling properly. Call IntegraTech if during the contract period if unit is not cooling. Note: The outdoor temperature MUST be above 60 degrees to perform this test. Operating the cooling system in temperatures below 60 degrees may cause serious damage to the equipment.
• Set the mode on your thermostat to “auto” at this time. This will allow the cooling system to operate during the heat of the day and the heating system to operate during those cold nights keeping your home at a constant temperature.

As outdoor temperatures rise, you may wish to open some windows to allow fresh air into the home.

• This is a good time to inspect the operation of the windows and the condition of the window screens. Windows should not operate with difficulty and double hung windows should not move up or down more than 2” when in the open position. Call IntegraTech if these conditions are observed during the contract period. Homeowner’s are responsible for replacing or repairing damaged glass and screens after the pre-close inspection.

Most carpet manufactures recommend complete carpet cleaning by dry cleaning or steam cleaning every 10 to 24 months to maintain appearance and wearability.

• This is the perfect time for that type of cleaning to take place. Also, check the carpet for any separating at the seams or looseness at this time. Contact IntegraTech if seam separation or looseness is observed during the contract period. Note: Check manufactures instructions prior to cleaning. Carpet cleaning is the responsibility of the homeowner after the pre-closing inspection.

The flowers are blooming and the grass is growing again. Now is the time to get the lawn mower in shape for the first gutting of the lawn.

• Since your grass is new, it is important to have a sharp blade in the mower. A dull blade could rip new grass from the ground leaving bare spots in your yard. The same thing could happen if you mow while the lawn is wet.
• Along that same note, you do not want to scalp the lawn. Setting the mower blade too low could damage the grass. Set the blade height to 2 ½ to 3 inches for new lawns.