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Charlotte NC New Homes Maintenance FAQs
It’s the weekend and if you’re like the majority of home owners in any part of the country, you have a whole list of household chores to get done. We know you’d rather be playing tennis, golfing or watching TV, but maintaining your Charlotte NC new home is important for your quality of life as well as for investment purposes. Your home may be the largest investment you’ll ever make –for most Americans, that’s the case. Taking good care of your property with consistent maintenance is necessary in order to maintain its value and ensure it will provide a comfortable, safe shelter for you and your family for a long time.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions owners of Charlotte NC new homes often ask CedarCroft builders. Read up on these basic issues and you’ll save yourselves time and money in the long run when it comes to taking care of your new home.
- How often should forced-air furnace filters need to be changed?
At least every three months during the heating season.
- Which part of the faucet usually needs to be replaced when you have a water leak?
The washer.
- Should hot or cold water be used when operating your garbage disposal?
Cold water.
- How often do you need to oil the moving parts of garage doors?
Every three months.
- What tools can be used to unclog your drains?
A plunger and a plumber’s snake.
- What tool is best to use to unclog a toilet?
Coil spring-steel auger.
- What faucet part needs to be cleaned every three to four months?
Aerator—the screen inside the end of the faucet.
- What can you use for traction on icy sidewalks, steps and driveways?
Cat litter or sand. Never use salt because it damages the pavement.
- The fire in your fireplace should be built where?
On the grate or andirons; never on the fireplace floor itself.
- What will prevent soot and add color to the fire in your fireplace?
Throw in a handful of salt.
- Where should your firewood be stored?
Outside your home - away from the house and not directly on the ground (to avoid insect inhabitation and unnecessary moisture accumulation).
- What helps keep unpainted concrete floors easy to keep clean?
Concrete sealer.
- What should you use to clean unpainted concrete floors?
A solution of 4 to 6 tablespoons of washing detergent in a gallon of hot water. Mix scouring powder to the solution for tough jobs.
- When can you clean hardwood floors with water?
When the floors have a polyurethane finish.
- Do hardwood floors need to be waxed?
Hardwood floors that do not have a polyurethane finish probably will need to be waxed periodically. Use liquid or paste “spirit” wax.
- What is the best floor polish for vinyl floors?
Water-emulsion wax.
- When is basement condensation at its maximum?
In new homes, because gallons of water went into the concrete of basement walls.
- Why should noisy water pipes be fixed promptly?
Any condition that causes noisy pipes may be accompanied by vibrations that can cause fittings to loosen and leak.
- Why should frozen pipes be thawed slowly?
Frozen pipes should always be thawed slowly to prevent the formation of
steam, which could cause the pipe to burst from the expansion process.
- How often should your roof be inspected?
A qualified roofer should inspect your roof every three years.
- What should be regularly checked on your security system?
The alarms and circuit breakers should be checked to make sure they are in working order and each sensor should be inspected individually.
- To ensure your safety, what household equipment uses batteries that must be checked regularly to make sure they are operable?
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- What do you use to fill nail holes and cracks in plaster walls and gypsum wallboard?
Spackling compound.
- What is the white powdery substance that develops on masonry walls?
Efflorescence sometimes appears on masonry walls. It is crystallized soluble salts that can be removed by scrubbing the walls with water and a stiff brush.
- At what temperature should your water heater be set?
120 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn it down to the Vacation setting when leaving your homes for several days to save on bills and help conserve resources.
- How often do skylights need to be inspected?
Skylights should be inspected each time your roof is inspected so leaks don’t develop from cracks and interruptions around its seals, caulking and flashings.
- What is a simple solution you can use to wash extremely dirty exterior windows?
A solution of equal parts vinegar and water, or 3 tablespoons of denatured alcohol per quart of warm water. Use a piece of crumpled newspaper to wash
the glass to avoid lint left behind by paper towels.
- What can you use to help a window slide easily?
Rub the channel with a piece of paraffin.
- When inspecting the siding on your Charlotte NC new homes, what should you look for?
Determine if wood-sided homes need to be repainted. Check to see if the caulking around the windows and doors has split and cracked, and replace the worn caulk. Clean away all mildew. Trim shrubbery away so it does not touch the siding.
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