Fiber Cement
You can expect minor cracks to occur in cedar siding and trim due
to shrinkage of the material. These do not need to be corrected, as
they do not alter the structural integrity of the material.
Masonry
The masonry walls of your home have been constructed by qualified
professionals. However, nobody can guarantee each brick, block or
stone used in constructing your home is perfect. Surface chips or
cracks and slight variations in size, color and placement are normal
and do not impact the structural integrity of your home. Weep holes
should not be sealed closed and need to remain open and
operational.
Stucco
Cracks in stucco finishes are common and unavoidable, and they
must be addressed promptly to avoid potential water intrusion.
You should inspect the exterior stucco walls of your home for
cracks routinely, but at least quarterly, as set forth in the Home
Maintenance Checklist. During the first year, we will repair any
such cracks that are greater than 1/8 inch, provided you promptly
notify us of such cracks. All other cracks are your responsibility to
repair.
You should also inspect the exterior caulking of your home
routinely, but at least quarterly, as set forth in the Home
Maintenance Checklist. Any cracking or separating of the exterior
caulking, including areas where stucco adjoins other surfaces,
should be addressed promptly to avoid potential water intrusion.
Your failure to inspect and maintain the exterior stucco walls and
caulking, and your failure to re-paint as needed as set forth
elsewhere in this Customer Care Manual, may result in damage to
your home that is not covered by the Home Builder’s Warranty.
Care Tips
• Inspect the exterior stucco walls of your home for cracks
routinely, but at least quarterly.
• Promptly repair all cracks in the stucco.
• Inspect the exterior caulking of your home routinely, but at
least quarterly.
• Promptly repair any cracking or separating of the exterior
caulking.
• Avoid exposing wood and/or stucco surfaces to excessive
and prolonged moisture. Ivy or shrubbery planted too near
walls tends to promote water retention.
• To help prevent excessive moisture in wood siding, keep
sprinklers from hitting the house.
Exterior Trim
We will repair or replace the following:
• Cracks in the joints between exterior trim materials that
exceed 3/8 inch in width.
• Exterior trim boards that are twisted in excess of 5/16 inch in
eight feet, cupped more than ¼ inch in 5 ½ inches or split
more than 1/8 inch at any point.
• Joint separations in wood trim exceeding 1/8 inch.
Exterior Painting
If repainting is required due to defects in materials or workmanship, we will
match the color as closely as possible. We cannot guarantee a perfect color
match. Please keep in mind that sunlight causes paint to fade.
There are a number of building materials used for a home’s exterior
which with contact to the stucco surface may result in minor bleeding or cosmetic
transfer. This transfer or bleed is not preventable. Painting your home’s
exterior every 3-4 years as recommended is the best possible method for
bleed or transfer resolution.
Care Tips
• It is strongly recommended that the home be repainted as
needed but not less frequently than every 3 or 4 years. All
seams around windows and where two pieces of wood trim
abut each other should be sealed with caulking prior to
repainting to prevent water intrusion.
• Routinely inspect the exterior trim and windows for cracking
and gapping.
• Brilliant and/or dark paint colors may fade more rapidly on
southern and western exposures. They will require frequent
repainting to maintain their original appearance.
• Follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for type of
paint to use and for surface preparation.