MARINA TOWER ASSOCIATION
Homeowner Manual
Maintenance Information
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Introduction - Licensed subcontractors have built your new home with quality materials. It was designed with the needs of your family in mind. It will require regular preventive maintenance by you to preserve its beauty and value. An understanding of how to care for each feature in your new home will prevent costly repairs and replacements in the future. Preventative maintenance on your new home should begin when you move in. Read the following section of this manual to become familiar with the procedures for maintenance. Building materials such as wood and concrete are subjected to constant expansion and contraction every day. This can result in minor warping of wood materials and hairline cracking of drywall, grout, stucco, concrete and mortar. These effects are particularly obvious in the first year after a new home has been built. You can minimize these effects by maintaining a constant temperature in your suite. This allows wood to dry at an even rate and eliminate larger settlement cracks. Minor cracks and displacement of wood are a normal part of the aging process of your suite and do not affect its structural integrity. We have provided an overview of the features and materials in your new home. Please study each section carefully so that you become familiar with the routine maintenance that your home requires. As you maintain, replace or repair portions of your home and Exclusive Use Areas, please consult Pinnacle Museum Tower Homeowners Association or your C.C.&R's to ensure that your work meets the regulations and guidelines established for your building. Remember that replacement or repair of certain areas of your home and Exclusive Use Areas must be approved by the Board. Please refer to Pinnacle Museum Tower C.C.&R’s for more information. |
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Information about each appliance can be found in the literature that is supplied by the Manufacturer. Copies of these booklets will be provided to you at the final closing meeting. Please read the Manufacturers' instructions on usage and care before you use your appliances. Your appliances are covered by warranties from the Manufacturers. Contact the appropriate Manufacturer or Distributor for service or questions about the use and care of the appliances. ▲Top Please refer to the manufacturer for care of your kitchen cabinets:
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE COLOR OF THE INSTALLED CABINETS TO BE DIFFERENT FROM SAMPLES SHOWN AT THE TIME OF SELECTION. COLOR CAN DIFFER WITH WOOD GRAIN VARIATIONS AND STAIN USED. COLOR VARIATION OF STAINED, NATURAL WOOD AND LAMINATED AREAS IS TO BE EXPECTED. ▲Top Over time, and particularly during warm, dry weather, caulking will dry and shrink. When this happens, it no longer provides a good seal against moisture. As a part of your routine maintenance, you should inspect the caulking around your sink tops, tubs and ceramic tiles and repair as needed. If caulking is not maintained around tubs, showers and toilets, discoloration of the surrounding tile grout can result. If you have any questions about caulking or if you need assistance in learning how to apply caulking, please contact our Customer Service Department. The ceiling and walls in your home should be periodically cleaned and painted. Remove dust or cobwebs as part of your routine cleaning. As part of your regular maintenance, you will need to repaint. See also Paint Products. ▲Top The countertops in your home are constructed of granite and marble. Any flaws or damage to your countertops must be noted during your Home Orientation Tour. After you have moved in, the care of the countertops is your responsibility.
Clean the surfaces of the interior doors to remove dust and soil. Do not use water on wood doors. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove dust. Interior doors are made of painted hardboard. Because of expansion and contraction with changes in heat and humidity, minor warping and sticking of doors can occur. This is normal and may correct itself as conditions change. Allow your home to go through at least one dry and one damp season before you make any permanent changes. The hinges and locks on your doors may require lubrication from time to time for proper maintenance and to prevent squeaks. Remove the hinge pin and rub it with a graphite tube or pencil and then replace it. Do not use oil because it accumulates dust and damages nearby surfaces by splattering. Remove finger smudges from the painted or varnished interior doors by washing with warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. Dry the surface thoroughly with a soft cloth or towel. Check your interior doors frequently and use touch up paint or varnish when necessary. If your closet features sliding doors, keep clothes and other items away from the doors so they do not obstruct its proper operation. Lubricate the roller and tracks with a silicone lubricant. The electrical system in your home was designed by professionals to operate properly, and is intended for normal residential use. Any changes or additions to your electrical system may result in damage to your home which is not Seller's responsibility.
CONSULT A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE MAKING CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NOTE THAT A PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR ANY ELECTRICAL WORK. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CITY BUILDING DEPARTMENT BEFORE YOU START ANY ELECTRICAL WORK. During your Horne Orientation Tour, our Customer Service Representative will show you the exact location of circuit breaker panel. There is one main breaker for the entire suite and several breakers for various items. Circuit breakers trip under excessive electrical load. Reset tripped circuit breakers by moving them to the "OFF" position and then to the "ON" position. In the event of a loss of electrical power in your home, follow these steps:
If the master circuit breaker trips repeatedly, refer the problem to a licensed electrician. If the master circuit breaker has not tripped, take a look around your building. If it appears to be a general electrical failure, call your electric company to report the problem. Ground Fault Interrupt Devices (GFI) During your Horne Orientation Tour, our Customer Service Representative will show you the location of ground fault interrupt devices (GFI Outlets). GFI outlets are located near tubs and bathroom sinks and in the kitchen, garage and exterior locations. These special circuit breakers are designed to break the flow of the electricity in the event of a short circuit. This is designed to prevent dangerous electrical shock. When this occurs, GFI outlets must be reset according to Manufacturer's directions. Do not plug appliances such as power tools, air conditioners, freezers or refrigerators into the GFI outlets. The electrical surge that occurs when these appliances cycle will trip the GFI outlets and break the circuit continuously. The lighting fixtures in your new suite are designed for standard wattage bulbs. To avoid excessive heat, follow the Manufacturer's recommendations that are noted on the fixture. Convenient electrical outlets can be found in every room in your new home. Do not exceed the capacity for which the outlets were designed. Devices which increase the capacity of electrical outlets and multiple extension cords can cause a fire. If an electrical outlet does not have power, there are two possible explanations:
CAUTION: POKING SMALL METAL OBJECTS INTO WALL OUTLETS CAN INJURE SMALL CHILDREN. YOU CAN PREVENT THIS BY INSTALLING CHILD PROOF DEVICES ON FLOOR LEVEL ELECTRICAL OUTLETS. THESE DEVICES ARE SOLD IN GROCERY STORES AND HARDWARE STORES. Your deck floor is covered using tile with a waterproof membrane substrate. Use soap and water to clean and seal tile and grout yearly. Electrical Fireplaces are standard features at the Pinnacle project. If your new home has a fireplace, it is not designed nor intended to heat the entire home or to be the primary source of heating. Read the manufacturers' manual for proper care and maintenance of the system. The manual will be provided to you at the final closing meeting. The flooring in your new home will last longer if you provide routine maintenance and care. The coverage of the Fit and Finish Warranty is limited to flooring materials that were provided and installed by Pinnacle. Please inspect your flooring carefully during your Homeowner Orientation Tour. Any damages or defects in your flooring must be noted at the time of the Homeowner Orientation Tour. Subsequent damages, including broken tiles, scratched wood flooring and torn carpeting are your responsibility. Vacuum carpeting frequently to avoid buildup of dirt and grime. Use a fixed brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. If your vacuum has a beater type attachment, the beater should barely touch the tops of the carpet fibers. Eliminate carpet shedding fibers as they appear. Loose carpet fibers will work their way to the surface over time. This is known as fluffing or shedding. Vacuum these fibers as part of your routine cleaning. Visible carpet seams are to be expected and are not an indication of a defect in the carpet. Most rolls of carpet are produced in 12- foot widths. This dictates that most of your rooms will have at least one seam. Professional installers will attempt to install your carpet with minimal amount of seams and without excessive waste. Seams are most visible in a new home before it has been furnished and occupied. Visible seams are not a defect unless they have been improperly seamed or the material is defective. Dye lots may vary. The variations are acceptable if they abut doorways. This is normal. Remove spills immediately. Stain removal is easier if it is done promptly. Consult a home center or professional carpet cleaning service for hard-to-remove stains. Cleaning products should be tested in areas that are remote (i.e. closet) to ensure that the product is compatible to your carpet. Do not use cleaners that have not been tested and certified for the carpet materials in your home. Thoroughly clean your carpets at least once a year. We recommend that you employ a professional carpet cleaner. ▲Top Marble tiles are available in a wide variety of color and sizes. Marble tile should be swept or vacuumed on a regular basis to eliminate grit and fine dirt particles that can scratch or dull the finish. Floor tile can be damp mopped with clear water to pick up dust for general cleaning. When damp mopping, wring out the mop head thoroughly to prevent leaving droplets of water on the floor which will later become visible water spots. Mild nonabrasive detergents can be used where required by spills but will need rinsing to avoid leaving a dull film. Grout can separate from the area between the tiles and the baseboard. If you notice that this has happened, re-grout the area promptly to prevent the entry of water. Other points to remember:
Please follow these procedures to maintain your hardwood floors:
Do not load a disposer with food items before turning it on. Turn the cold water on first then start the disposer. Drop food items slowly into the unit. When the unit runs clear, turn the disposer off and leave the water running for several seconds. This allows the waste to be carried away. Only foods that are non-fibrous and easily pulverized should be placed into the disposer. Examples of foods not to place in the disposer are cornhusks, celery, olive pits, bones and solid or liquid grease. These items may cause your unit to overload or jam. If a jam happens or you experience other problems with your disposer, follow the corrective measures in the manufacturer's operation manual.
Your new home is equipped with a heating system that complies with local and state energy codes. Please read the instructions and become familiar with the heating systems before using them. All questions and requests for warranty service should be directed to the appropriate manufacturer. By maintaining an even temperature, you can minimize the contraction and expansion of the materials in your home. The following suggestions are intended to assist you in receiving the maximum usage and enjoyment from your heating and air conditioning system:
The walls in your new home are constructed of aluminum, wood, metal and concrete, which are subject to normal expansion and contraction. Molding and trim can shrink and warp in some cases. Routine maintenance on moldings, trim and drywall is minimal and is the responsibility of the homeowner. Replace warped molding and trim. Reset nails that have popped out of position. Use touch up paint and, if necessary, the appropriate caulking materials to complete the repairs.
Use care when you hang pictures and other decorative items. The wallboard will be damaged if it is hit with a hammer. Costly repairs can be avoided by using picture hooks and other appropriate supplies found at a home center or hardware store. Using nails to hang pictures can penetrate plumbing and sprinkler lines or electrical wiring. The walls in your home are smooth for beauty and style. The smooth surface is relatively soft and can be damaged by scrubbing with excessive cleaners or rough brushes or cloths. Small finger smudges may be removed from walls with a solution of warm water and a mild soap. Wash gently with a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse and dry the excess water carefully. Do not permit the drywall to become soaked with water. Larger spots, not easily removed by cleaning, will require paint touch up. See also Paint Products. Your plumbing system features modem design and materials. We recommend that you become familiar with your plumbing system as soon as you move in. The location of your main water shut off is located in the common area hallways. You will need to contact the management companies' emergency number to have the main water shut down. Individual water shut offs are located under the sinks in the bathrooms and the kitchen. Each toilet has a water shut-off behind the toilet bowl. Each plumbing fixture in your home has a drainpipe specially designed to provide a water vapor barrier between your home and the sewer. The drainpipe or trap is the u-shaped area of the pipe directly under the sink. The trap holds water, which prevents the airborne, and odor of sewer gas from entering your home. If any of your faucets are used infrequently, we suggest that they be turned on occasionally to replace the water in the trap lost to evaporation. Because of their shape, the traps are the most likely area to be clogged. If you detect odor of sewer gas from a sink, contact your plumbing contractor after you have followed the advice above. See additional Plumbing Information The bathtubs in your home are either made of fiberglass, acrylic, or metal-coated porcelain. Porcelain is a hard, durable surface, but it can be chipped or scratched by blows from a heavy or sharp object. Like the other components in your home, your bathtubs require routine maintenance. Clean the tubs using a non-abrasive cleaner designed for bathroom use. Rinse the surface thoroughly to remove all traces of the cleaner. After each use, rinse the tub thoroughly with clean water to lessen the effects of soap build up. The countertops in your home are constructed of granite materials. They are designed to provide years of use. Any flaws or damage to your countertops must be noted during your Home Orientation Tour. After you move in, the care of your countertops is your responsibility. Granite is a natural product with variations in its pattern and color. Some variations are expected where there is a natural product. Proper maintenance of granite is necessary to maintain its natural beauty. Remove spills immediately to avoid staining. Do not use abrasive cleansers on your granite countertops. Most foods and drinks are acidic and may etch the finish of the granite. Routine care of granite countertops requires warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. If the surface of your granite countertop becomes dull, you may consider having it polished by a professional who specializes in granite. Some of your plumbing fixtures are plated with polished brass, bright chromium or a combination of the two materials which are resistant to water corrosion under normal use and maintenance. The brass and chromium plating materials are, however, relatively soft and can be damaged with abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and tools. Clean the fixtures with warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse with clear water and wipe dry to prevent spotting. If water is permitted to accumulate and stand at the base of the fixtures, corrosion and tarnishing can result. Always wipe the area dry. Hard water can spot and damage bright chromed plumbing fixtures. While this is not entirely preventable, you can minimize the staining and discoloration by drying the fixtures after use. Avoid excessive force when you turn your faucets on and off. The seals in the faucets can be damaged and may require repair or replacement. Faucets are equipped with aerators, which mix air with the stream of water to prevent splashing. They need to be cleaned occasionally to remove a buildup of mineral deposits. When you notice that the stream of water has lessened, unscrew the aerator from the mouth of the faucet. Remove the debris and rinse the washers and screens. Replace the parts in their original order and screw the aerator onto the faucet. Perform this homeowner maintenance as required, at least every few months.
Toilets are made of vitreous china, a glasslike material that is almost impervious to staining. Clean your toilets with a toilet bowl cleaner and brush or cloth. Vitreous china is brittle and will easily break or shatter if hit with a hard object. Always keep a plumber's plunger on hand to use in the event of a stoppage of a toilet. If a stoppage occurs, close the shut-off valve behind the toilet bowl. Usually, a few vigorous pumps with the plunger will free the obstruction. If the flush valve in your toilet fails or begins to leak, you can purchase a new flush valve at a home center or hardware store. Hire the services of a professional plumber to complete this task. Water saver toilets are installed in your home. These toilets are designed to reduce water usage. At times you will find a single flush does not clear the toilet bowl. When this happens, wait for the toilet tank to refill then flush again. If a stoppage occurs, do not continue flushing. Use a plunger to unclog the stoppage. Toilet stoppages tend to begin with incomplete flushes and continue until the drain is fully obstructed. You may prevent stoppages by using a plunger at the first sign of a slow or incomplete flush. See additional Plumbing information Your new home may have fiberglass, acrylic or tile shower enclosures. Routinely clean with a household cleaning product to help prevent the buildup of soap film. Please be aware that a sharp blow to the enclosure surfaces may result in chipping or damage. In extreme cases this damage may cause a leak. A leak can cause significant damage to the flooring and drywall in your home. If a tub or shower enclosure in your home is damaged, contact a qualified repair contractor immediately. Check and maintain the caulking in these areas. Smoke detectors have been installed near all sleeping areas and at other locations. The selection of the smoke detector, the installation procedure and the location of the smoke detectors are designed to meet the requirements of local and state building codes. Please do not move or disable the smoke detector. If you feel the need for additional protection, consider purchasing battery operated smoke detectors. The purpose of the smoke detector is to detect the possible presence of a fire in your home so that you will have time to call for help and evacuate. At the first indication of fire, evacuate the building and call the Fire Department from a neighboring building.
Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors at least two times each year. Take a moment to test the smoke detectors when the batteries are replaced. This will assure that the smoke detectors are in good working order. Smoke detectors are sensitive to stove/oven smoke. Please turn on your hood vent fan above your stove while cooking. Also, because smoke detectors are sensitive to the steam from a shower, turn on the bathroom fan and close the door. Windows and doorframes require routine maintenance. Perhaps the most important step is to keep the window and door tracks free of dirt and debris. The window tracks can be damaged if they are not kept clean. Use a broom or brush to loosen collected debris. Vacuum thoroughly as a part of your regular cleaning routine. A void using abrasive cleaners so as not to scratch the surface of the window. If windows and doors do not slide freely, inspect the tracks for debris or an object that is inhibiting the travel of the windows. Use a silicone, not an oil based lubricant. Oil attracts dust and debris, which become embedded in the lubricant and may cause damage and promote wear. Silicone lubricant is recommended. Windows and doorframes have small weep holes at the bottom to permit water to drain from the track. Keep the weep holes free of debris. Avoid flooding window and doorframe tracks. Excessive water can overflow the track and back up into your home. During high winds, air will penetrate your windows, especially through weep holes. This is normal operation. The weep holes are necessary for proper drainage and ventilation and you should keep them clear at all times. The window and door glass are constructed using a double pane of glass that create an air gap insulation barrier. The window frame forms an airtight seal between the panes of glass. Yanking or forcing windows opened or closed can destroy the seal and permit moisture to enter the air gap. This will result in fogging between the panes of glass. Use gentle firm even pressure to open and close the windows. Do not force the window if resistance is felt. Inspect for the cause of the resistance and remove it before continuing to open and close the window. The key to long life for your new home is regular maintenance. It is well known that a few minutes every month can save money on expensive repairs, keep your home looking its best and maintain the value of your new home. Routine maintenance on your home is your responsibility. We have provided the following schedule for routine maintenance.
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