Page |0 Warranty Policy Dear New Home Owner, As you settle onto your new Palo Verde Home, small warranty items may arise as with any new home. We are here to offer you the best possible servie. In order to do so, any concerns or warranty items must be submitted in writing to Palo Verde Homes Warranty Division at pvhwarranty@hotmail.com. You may also submit any concerns via fax to 915-584-9091. This will enable us to offer solutions to your needs in a timely manner.
Page |1 CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW HOME! A little time spent with this homeowner’s manual today can help you maintain your home’s built-in quality for many more tomorrows. Please read it carefully so that you will be in the best possible position to preserve your investment. Pride in your home does pay off! Because we at Palo Verde Homes firmly believe that an informed homeowner is a happy homeowner, we have gone to considerable effort to prepare this homeowner’s manual.
Page |2 Homeowner Orientation Your homeowner orientation is an introduction to your new home and its many features. This meeting goes beyond the traditional walk-through to include a detailed demonstration of your new home and review any pertinent information. The home orientation will be scheduled at the same time as the walk through. Scheduling We schedule the orientation and walk through with you as your home nears completion. Appointments are available Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Page |3 Cosmetic surface damage caused during construction is readily noticeable during the orientation. Such damage can also occur during the move-in process or through daily activities. Therefore, after we correct any items noted during the orientation, repair of cosmetic surface damages is your responsibility. This includes paint touch-up.
Page |4 Note to Home Buyer: Insert orientation/walk-though form here.
Page |5 Closing on Your Home Palo Verde Homes recognizes that timing is vitally important in planning your move and locking in your loan. Once construction reaches a point at which weather and other factors are unlikely to affect completion of your home, we can begin to offer an estimated closing date. This occurs 45 days before closing. As your home progresses, we can begin to offer a more accurate date and time.
Page |6 · amount of the loan, plus interest. One-twelfth of your annual taxes and Homeowner’s insurance will be added to the principal and interest payment to determine your total monthly payment. Please note that APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is not the same as the mortgage rate. Deed of Trust- This encumbers your home as security for repayment of the promissory note.
Page |7 Helpful Phone Numbers El Paso Police Department Poison Center Fire Department Driver’s License Motor Vehicle Registration Time Warner Cable El Paso Electric Co Lower Valley Water District El Paso Water Utilities Texas Gas Service AT & T / SBC El Paso Disposal The El Paso Times Garbage Collection Time & Weather Clint School District Canutillo School District El Paso School District Socorro School District Ysleta School District Central Appraisal District City Tax Office City Zoning El Paso Irrigati
Page |8 Caring for your Home Palo Verde Homes has constructed your home with quality materials and the labor of experienced craftsmen following all applicable building codes. Before using any material, it must meet industry specifications for quality and durability. All work is done under our supervision and inspected by appropriate agencies during various stages to obtain the best possible result for your investment. A home is one of the last hand-built products left in the world.
Page |9 Palo Verde Homes Limited Warranty Guidelines While we strive to build a defect-free home, we are realistic enough to know that we may make mistakes or that something in the home may not perform as intended. When either occurs, we will make necessary corrections. In support of this commitment, Palo Verde Homes provides you with limited warranty. The purpose is to let you know what our quality standard is for the typical concerns that can come up in a new home.
P a g e | 10 · · · Total loss of water. (Check with the water department to be certain the problem is not a general outage in the area.) Plumbing leak that requires the entire water supply to be shut off. Gas leak. (Contact your utility company or plumber if the leak is at the furnace or water heater supply lines.) During business hours call Palo Verde Homes Office: 915-584-9090 or email concern to pvhwarranty@hotmail.
P a g e | 11 Covered only at time of Walk-through Inspection Please be advised that some items are easily damaged during move-in. While Palo Verde Homes makes no express warranties, we will not be responsible for any damage that is not noted in writing at the time of your Homeowner’s walk through.
P a g e | 12 Reporting Warranty Items The many details of warranty coverage can be confusing. We hope this chart will make reporting items easier. If you do not know whom to contact, call our office and we will guide you. Appliances Contact the manufacturer directly with model and serial number, closing date, and description of problem.
P a g e | 13 Palo Verde Homes Emergency Subcontractor List Electrical Velasco Brothers Electric 915-204-1240 Mechanical G + C Mechanical 575-824-4077 or 915-892-5735 (Pablo) Plumbing VJE Plumbing 915-691-6787 Water heater Double R Plumbing 915- 252- 9888
P a g e | 14 Caring for your Home Palo Verde Homes has constructed your home with quality materials and the labor of experienced craftsmen following applicable building codes. Before using any material, it must meet industry specifications for quality and durability. All work is done under our supervision and inspected by appropriate agencies during various stages to obtain the best possible result for your investment. A home is one of the last hand-built products left in the world.
P a g e | 15 discussion conflicts with the manufacturer’s recommendations, you should follow the manufacturer recommendation. Activate specific manufacturer’s warranties by completing and mailing any registration cards included with their materials. In some cases, manufacturer warranties may extend beyond the first year and it is in your best interests to be aware of such coverage.
P a g e | 16 Know Your Home Immediately after you move in to your new home, you should locate the main shutoffs for gas, water and electricity, the ground fault interceptor (GFI/GFCI) outlets, and many other important items. All of these items were pointed out to you during your homeowner orientation, but it’s a good idea to review their locations so you can find them quickly in an emergency.
P a g e | 17 Maintenance Suggestions Your Palo Verde Home has been built with the best available materials and workmanship. Its wellplanned design includes modern conveniences to provide you and your family with many years of pleasant and comfortable living. This section was prepared to help you maintain and add value to your new home, to increase your enjoyment of it, and contains valuable information on taking care of the “little things” that occasionally need to be done in any home.
P a g e | 18 Exterior Walls Stucco Walls Stucco has been successfully used in the southwest for hundreds of years as a popular building material. It has seen improvements over the years with the development of standards by the manufacturers association that has improved its performance. The nature of stucco is such that cracks are inevitable. Should one of the exterior walls be struck a sharp blow, a hairline crack may develop; however, it is just in the insulation, not structural.
P a g e | 19 Normally, “dry” lumber received locally contains about 17 % moisture. Local average air moisture is about 10%. This means that a substantial amount of moisture in the lumber will escape the first year. In wood fascia and trim, oils and moisture tend to come out at cuts, joints, and where the grain surfaces. In pine trim, moisture generally surfaces through the grain. As this oil/moisture leaves the wood, the paint or stain is loosened and leaves bare spots.
P a g e | 20 Windows Windows are designed to provide many years of trouble-free service. Palo Verde Homes uses high quality windows, but they are subject to temperature extremes on both sides. Some air and dust normally will infiltrate around windows, especially prior to the installation of landscaping in the surrounding area. All window frames have one or more weep holes along the bottom to allow water to seep out to the exterior ledge. Make certain these holes are left open so water can drain out.
P a g e | 21 Doors Passage Doors Certain doors in your home are made of wood and they may shrink. The wood in both exterior and interior passage doors must season. Don’t make hasty adjustments on new doors since the condensation and humidity of a new home will affect them only temporarily. Occasional slight sticking is normal and even desirable for a weather tight fit. Be sure to keep the paint finish in good repair, repaint doors regularly.
P a g e | 22 Exterior Stained Doors To ensure longer life for your exterior wood doors, plan to refinish them at least once a year. Stained exterior doors with clear finishes tend to weather faster than painted doors. Treat the finish with a wood preserver every three to six months to preserve the varnish and prevent the door from drying and cracking. Reseal stained exterior doors whenever the finish begins cracking.
P a g e | 23 Garage and Overhead Door Opener Homeowner Use and Maintenance Guidelines Since the garage door is a large, moving object, periodic maintenance is necessary. Every six months apply a 30-weight automobile oil or similar lubricant to all moving parts: track, rollers, hinges, pulleys, and springs. At the same time, check to see that all hardware is tight and operating as intended without binding or scraping. Avoid over lubrication to prevent drips on vehicles or the concrete floor.
P a g e | 24 Mirrored Wardrobe Doors and Vanity Mirrors A number of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” should be observed when cleaning mirrored wardrobe doors – or any other mirrors. Do use one of these three types of recommended mirror cleaners: · A weak (5-10%) solution of methyl, ethyl, or rubbing alcohol in water. Windex, Solox, or other household glass cleaners are of this type. · Weak household ammonia water solutions – provided they do not contain alkali, which many do.
P a g e | 25 Roofs, Gutters, Vents Because the climate in West Texas is much hotter, the sun much more intense, and our summer season much longer than almost any other part of the country, roof maintenance is critical in order to extend the life of your roof. It is recommended (and beneficial) to do timely roof maintenance. A roof inspection should be done at least once a year, and any routine maintenance should be done at that time.
P a g e | 26 Concrete Surfaces The concrete used around your new home was mixed to industry standards, applied by professionals and should last indefinitely. Small cracks and minor surface variations are inevitable, even though expansion joints have been provided to relieve internal stress. Normal cracks do no reduce concrete’s serviceability. Concrete foundations, walks and drives may develop cracks or flaking.
P a g e | 27 Patio/Landscaping/Drainage Your Palo Verde home may have a large patio area. Chances are that you will want to install some hard- surface material and some landscaping. The hard surface material could be a wood deck or a concrete or brick patio floor. Be sure that he hard-surface drains water away from the foundation. Failure to maintain adequate drainage can result in foundation damage and void your structural warranty.
P a g e | 28 Interior Walls Your home has two types of interior walls: bearing and non-bearing. Non- bearing walls can be altered without fear of structural damage, but bearing walls must be altered carefully to avoid reducing their bearing capacity. Changes to bearing walls should be made only by a licensed engineer, architect or contractor. Care of drywall is your maintenance responsibility. Gypsum wallboard walls should last a very long time without any significant maintenance.
P a g e | 29 guarantee a perfect color match when touch-ups are made after the original application. Painting When paint touch-up is required, remember that all paints change colors as they age, making a perfect color match very difficult to achieve. Sometimes, paint touch-ups are visible under certain lighting conditions. Regular repainting is the best approach to achieving the look and finish you desire.
P a g e | 30 Carpet PLEASE NOTE: NO CARPET IS ABSOLUTELY STAIN PROOF. SOME CARPETS HAVE STAIN RESISTANT TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO CLEAN UP STAINS, NOT PREVENT STAINS. CARPETS WITH SOIL RESISTANT TREATMENTS REDUCE THE RATE OF SOILING BUT, THESE ALSO REQUIRE REGULAR CARE AND MAINTENANCE. Vacuuming The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffic areas.
P a g e | 31 the pile fiber together and begins to attract and also hold the dry soil. This is the reason cleaning is so important when dulling of the colors is first noticed. If allowed to remain too long, it becomes gummy and difficult to remove. Clean the carpet before it becomes unsightly, the cleaning chore will be easier and more successful. The “old wives’ tale” about not cleaning the carpet until absolutely necessary because it will get dirty faster is not true.
P a g e | 32 Hardwood Floors Today’s factory finished hardwood floors are extremely attractive and quite durable. However, climatic conditions can change the moisture content, causing swelling and/or shrinkage. Wood floors may show nicks, dents, and moisture damage caused by normal wear and tear. Any separations that may occur between hardwood floor segments can be repaired by filling and staining. To maintain the beauty of a hardwood floor, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
P a g e | 33 Electric System Like all utility system in your home, your electric system was installed to rigid specifications and inspected by the El Paso Building Services Department. Underwriters Laboratory (ULI) - approved components were used throughout. You have three-wire grounded system. Never remove the bare wire which connects to the box or device. Three-hole grounded receptacles are standard and will accept normal two-prong plugs.
P a g e | 34 Plumbing Your plumbing has been installed by a professional and should only require minimum maintenance for many years, if you care for it properly. The most important item about plumbing is that every resident be familiar with the various water supply shut-off valves in your plumbing system. Shut-off valves for toilets are usually under the water chamber; those for sinks are under each sink and most important of all, the main shut-off valve is located in the garage.
P a g e | 35 Water Heater Your home is equipped with a quality storage-type gas water heater with sensitive thermostatic controls and an electronically ignited pilot. If the electronic ignition is not working properly (e.g. the water heater pilot will not remain ignited) within the warranty period you can call (915) 494-7493 for service. You will need to provide them with your address, the serial number and model number to obtain service.
P a g e | 36 Leaks If a major plumbing leak occurs, the first step is to turn off the supply of water to the area involved. This may mean shutting off the water to the entire home. Then contract the appropriate contractor. (Note: Remember that your home is equipped with water shut off valves in the garage as well as a main shut off at the curb/water meter). Low Pressure Occasional cleaning of the aerators on your faucets (normally every three to four months) will allow proper flow of water.
P a g e | 37 Heating/Air Conditioning Heating Your heating system is among the most modern manufactured today and should give you many, many years of comfort with a minimum of attention. We recommend you read the manufacturer owner’s manual for the proper maintenance and use instructions. The system was installed in accordance with local building codes and the engineering design for your particular floor plan.
P a g e | 38 If the furnace will not turn on, here are the basic test steps to take before calling for service: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Read the instruction manual for you unit. Set the thermostat above room temperature. Check to see that the thermostat selector is on “Heat”. See if any circuit breakers are tripped to “off”. If they are, try switching them several times. Examine the filters to verify that they aren’t clogged. Look over the bottom cover on the furnace.
P a g e | 39 Filters Some warm air furnaces have built-in filters, usually found close to the furnace, where the cooled air returns from the rooms. These filters remove dirt and dust from the air. For efficient heating they should be replaced at the beginning and in the middle of each heating season. In some areas, more frequent changing is desirable. See the instruction booklet for you heating system for more specific directions.
P a g e | 40 Before the air conditioning season arrives, do a test run to make sure your air conditioner is on and working properly. If it is not, call your service person before his busy season arrives. As you change from heating to cooling, it may be necessary to adjust the balance of air distributed throughout your home. This can be done by adjusting dampers on registers; you may want to close some downstairs registers and open all your upstairs registers.
P a g e | 41 Evaporative Cooling Before using you cooler for the season, make sure the pads are in new condition. Replace them if they are damaged or covered with calcium. The water pan should be wiped clean so the pump can work at full capacity without blockage. The hoses should be checked inside the cooler to make sure they are all connected to and from any fittings.
P a g e | 42 Fireplace Your fireplace can be a pleasurable addition to your home and an excellent way to create a warm, cozy atmosphere. However, it was not intended to be the sole heat source in the home. If used improperly, it can easily result in much heat loss and many dollars wasted. To help prevent that, consider a number of facts and suggestions. Using the fireplace should be looked upon as a luxury, adding much to the atmosphere and just a little to the heat in a home.
P a g e | 43 Kitchen Appliances Palo Verde Homes has equipped your home with top quality appliances. All are covered by detailed factory warranties. Study the various instruction booklets and follow the instructions before operating the appliances to ensure their long life and to make maximum use of all features. It is important that all warranty cards be filled out and mailed to the manufacturers as soon as you move in.
P a g e | 44 Should hinges, catches, or drawer glides become sluggish with use, a small amount of silicone lubricant will improve their action. Corian/Formica/Marble Countertops & Vanity Tops Both the formica (laminate) and marble tops are easy care products. DO NOT clean with an abrasive cleanser as it will scratch and dull the finish. Tile Countertops Tile is a tough material which resists scratches and hard knocks and won’t crack under normal usage.
P a g e | 45 some paint spots are dry before being noticed, use a recommended solvent. Range Hood Grease build- up in your range hood can present a potential fire hazard. Avoid the problem by cleaning both hood filters regularly with mild dish washing detergent, drying thoroughly, and reinstalling the filters. The exhaust fan in your range hood is designed to evacuate odors, smoke, and moisture produced by cooking. Regular cleaning and inspection will help keep it on top working order.
P a g e | 46 Baths Fiberglass Tubs and Showers Given proper care, the smooth, shiny surface of you fiberglass tub and shower will remain beautiful and easy to clean indefinitely. Fiberglass tubs and showers possess a natural resilience and will not chip as readily as porcelain enamel. But, equal care should be given to these man- made materials. Do not, under any circumstances, use abrasive cleansers or razor blades on these surfaces because they will cause certain damage.
P a g e | 47 Caulking and Silicone It is a good idea to check the caulking around your bathtub or sink at the end of the first year. Fill in any gaps that may have developed. Thereafter, check the caulking every six months or so. When it appears dried out or cracked, remove and replace it. Caulking material can be purchased in applicator tubes or disposable caulking guns at your local hardware store. We also recommend checking and replacing silicone on all corners of your showers and tubs.
P a g e | 48 Ventilation Homes today are built more tightly than ever. This saves energy dollars but creates a potential concern. Condensation, cooking odors, indoor pollutants, radon, and carbon monoxide may all accumulate. We provide mechanical and passive methods for ventilating homes. Your attention to ventilation is important to health and safety. Building codes require attic and crawl space tents to minimize accumulation of moisture.
P a g e | 49 Natural Problems Condensation Condensation is natural in a new home because many gallons of water were used in its construction, such as in the concrete, joint compound, caulking, paint, grout, etc. This water causes higher-thannormal humidity until the drying process is complete. Daily use of the home also creates moisture. So dampness in a new home is unavoidable and beyond a home builder’s control.
P a g e | 50 Insects and Rodents Palo Verde Homes does not provide pest control services and as such does not warrant against pests and insects. Insects and rodents may enter any home at any time through open doors, unscreened louvers, etc. Professional exterminators are recommended, especially in the case of insects. Termites are a special kind of problem. Prevention is easier than eradication. Fight termite invasion by making sure the wood portions of your home do not touch the soil directly.
P a g e | 51 Customer Service Information Palo Verde Homes will attempt to correct all “walk-through” inspection items within five days of homeowner occupancy. Palo Verde will also correct defects due to faulty workmanship, defective materials, or major construction flaws. However, the homeowner must submit written notice during the one-year period following the close of escrow, or the date of occupancy, whichever occurs first.
P a g e | 52 Glossary of Terms Acrylic- The synthetic plastic material that is used in finishes. It is durable and attractive. Aerator- Located at the end of the kitchen and bathroom faucets, it mixes the air with the water in order to provide a splash-free flow of water. Attic Access- The opening in the ceiling which gives access to the attic space. This is also called a scuttle hole. Baseboard- The strip of molding or trim at the bottom of walls which protects the walls from scuffs and damage.
P a g e | 53 solely responsible for reviewing warranty claims and acting upon them. Customer Service Request- The form used by the homeowner to request service under the terms of Palo Verde Homes Limited Warranty. All such requests should be in writing and on the proper form. Only those items covered by the Limited Warranty should be listed. Drywall- The interior walls of a home are usually constructed of drywall. This material also is called gypsum board.
P a g e | 54 Homeowner Maintenance- Your new home will last a lifetime if you routinely maintain the various features of your home. Some of these maintenance times have been indicated in the Limited Warranty section of this manual. This continuing maintenance is the responsibility of the owner. Homeowners’ Association- Many neighborhoods are governed by a small group of homeowners who represent the interest of all nearby homeowners.
P a g e | 55 months and for years after a new home is built. Minor settling is normal particular in the first months after a new home is build. Sheathing- The substance that is installed as a base for shingle or tile roofs. Spackle- The putty-like material that is used to fill surface irregularities in drywall. Its most common use is to fill nail holes in walls before repainting. Studs- The mortar-like material that covers the exterior of many hoes in this area.
