Home Buyer's One-Year Warranty
Concrete and flatwork:
TKO warranties all concrete work including flatwork. What you the buyer must understand is that concrete is a rigid product and has a tendency to cracks and move to accommodate minor movement and shrinkage. It is to be expected that hairline fracturing should and will occur through changes in climate, these are not covered under warranty. TKO does warranty that all flatwork is supported by a minimum of 4” of compacted gravel. In the event of major cracking (a crack to exceed ¼ inch separation within the first year) and the cause is to determined to be in compact trenches, in compact fill or poor concrete mix. TKO will replace the deteriorated section of concrete.
Drainage:
Technical requirements
Sod must be 6” away from top of foundation, which puts the finish grade of dirt 8” below below top of foundation. The grade must slope away from the foundation for 10 feet at 5% that is it must drop 6 inches in the first 10 feet.
The point of grading a yard is to deter water as far away from the structure (house, patio, porch, driveway and all concrete flatwork) as possible. All drainage must either remain on site or be discharged to the street. This is done within the limits of practicality, and the above-mentioned criteria will be met. In the event there is insufficient slope to get water to the street there will be ponding areas in the yard. The ponding areas will, however, be more than 10 feet from the structure.
It is the buyer’s responsibility to maintain proper drainage from the house throughout occupancy.
Drywall:
TKO agrees to repair all sheetrock cracks and nail pops caused by natural movement for one year. Any cosmetic repairs need to be dealt with prior to occupancy; once the homeowner moves in all cosmetic repairs are their responsibility.
Note: Occasionally a problem called truss lift occurs, causing a slight buckling of the ceiling drywall during cold weather. If this problem last for more than one winter it may be permanent feature of the truss design. It is at TKO discretion as the severity of the problem and to what degree they will deal with the problem. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Electrical:
All fixtures will be covered to the extent of the manufactures warranty or a minimum of one year. TKO is not responsible for specialty light bulbs. TKO also does not warranty adding outlets or changing doorbells fire alarms after the sale of the house.
Excavation:
TKO does not warranty the conditions of the lot.
Existing Lot Conditions:
The buyer will be responsible for any debris, concrete or other items found on top of or below existing soil at construction start date.
Rough Grading:
After rough grading is completed there will be 1” of soil covering 5% or 10 feet from the house with no rocks or strata larger than 2” in diameter (this is only applied to TKO Subdivisions). High and low areas in lots will only be changed to meet local building authority grading requirements.
Fireplaces:
All fireplaces are covered under manufactures warranty. In the event that a fireplace causes smoke damage to the inside of the home and if the fireplace is found to be at fault, then it will be the responsibility of TKO to make the necessary repairs. If no problems are found with the fireplace or installation, it will be deemed the responsibility of the homeowner.
The buyer should know that smoking fireplaces are caused by four main reasons: 1) At start –up, a heavy column of cold air is in the flue. A substantial amount of combustion to generate heat is required to push the cold air up and out. Without this combustion, smoke is pushed back into the home by column of cold air moving downward; 2) Because homes today are built so tight, if the furnace is running while the fireplace is burning, and if the flue is not completely open and the fireplace doors not shut tight, the return air vents may pull smoke into the house. Unfortunately, this can happen so gradually that it may not be noticed immediately; 3) Various types of wood being burned can cause smoking. Also, different types of manufactured logs create quite a bit of smoke and can cause smoke residue on walls; and 4) The height of fireplace chase can cause smoking. TKO warrants that the fireplace will be installed according to manufacture’s requirements and building codes. However, the atmospheric conditions can prevent a fireplace from drafting properly. When this happens the chase height needs to be extended. This condition is unforeseeable, but should it happen TKO will modify the fireplace chase in order to get it to draft properly. TKO will not cover damages caused by smoke, since this condition is impossible to anticipate.
Floor Covering:
All defects in materials (carpet, vinyl, tile, marbles, laminates and wood flooring) are covered under manufactures warranty. TKO warrants against any problems dealing with improper installation. The buyer must understand that carpets, depending on style and cut will show seams. Therefore the buyer is responsible for discussing this with their carpet representative and too know that this is not a warranty item.
Framing:
TKO warrants that all material used in construction will meet current building standards set forth by FHA/VA, city and county regulatory agencies. All beams are sized to meet loading conditions se forth by regulatory agencies. TKO warrants against any structural defects or problems that are the result of poor structural integrity. These include the following: sheetrock cracks, floor squeaks, adjustments to doors and windows, grout cracks, mortar cracks, and those caused by natural movement of material used in construction. This does not include warped wood, unless it creates a structural deficiency, which will be determined by TKO on a case-by-case basis.
The homeowner must understand that minor squeaks will come and go with the changing of temperature and seasons. These squeaks are not a cause of poor structure and therefore are not covered under the 1year warranty.
Grouts and Tile work:
Grout is a mason product, it will get hard and there is a possibility that it may crack. It is therefore the homeowner’s responsibility to properly care for and maintain tile and grout work. It is also the homeowner’s responsibility to make the proper arrangements for the repair of any grout cracks. It should also be understood that water will perk through grout naturally. Therefore, keep all wall surfaces in tub and shower areas as dry as possible. Squeegee down shower tile after every shower. TKO warrants the tile only; that is moving or cracking of the tile itself.
Heating and Air Conditioning:
All heating and air conditioning units will be covered by the manufactures warranty.
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to understand that on very hot days, air conditioning may not completely cool a house to set temperature. This happens because the air conditioning system is designed to only make an air temperature change of 30 degrees from outside temperature. Should the system not be capable of this 30-degree difference, it will be covered under warranty.
The homeowner should also understand the dirty furnace filters cause many heating and air conditioning problems and can void a manufactures warranty. For your own protection keep your furnace filters cleaned or replaced regularly (every thirty days during construction and every 60 days to six months thereafter).
Insulation:
TKO warrants that the home is insulated as per specifications and local codes.
Lighting:
TKO warrants lighting for one year.
Ceiling fans:
TKO does not balance ceiling fans. Wobbly ceiling fans are a product of inferior materials and design. Even though balancing kits are included, the time involved in dynamically balancing a fan is cost prohibitive. Therefore, the balancing of the fan will be the responsibility of the buyer.
Lights bulbs: we do not warranty the longevity of light bulbs.
Maintenance:
Maintenance, though important to the lasting condition of the home, is not covered under the one-year warranty. The homeowner is responsible for proper care and maintenance of the home.
Painting and Stucco:
Exterior paint and stucco is covered under warranty for one-year against flaking, peeling, severe discoloration and severe fading unless the condition is caused by water damage from sprinklers or in the case of hose watering. Interior finishes are warranted to have a washable surface for one-year. Deterioration of all lacquers on woodwork is covered for up to one-year, except in the event of water damage. On wood backsplashes, homeowner is responsible to maintain a good caulking seal to prevent moisture from entering into the wood. Should this seal be broken, any deterioration and discoloration will be the responsibility of the homeowner. Damage to the painting of the home and nicks, around drains or perimeter of sink during or after move in is the responsibility of the homeowner.
The buyer must understand that Black Soot Deposition (BSD) is not covered under TKO’s one-year warranty. This can be noticed from dark shading on the walls and ceilings where studs and or trusses are placed, darken areas around heat vents and/or under closed doorways in the carpet. This is caused by combustion inside the home by the occupant. More commonly know as the burning of candles.
Also note that in the event that minor touch up paint is required on interior or exterior walls in order to complete repairs it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to do these touch ups with the extra paint provided by TKO. If the touch up area is in a hard to reach spot and in need of an extension ladder TKO will do the touch up using the extra paint provided by TKO.
Plumbing:
All fixtures (sink, faucet, and toilets, shower pans, tubs, water heaters, sill cock) will be covered to the extent of the manufactures warranty or a minimum of the one-year. All water systems: both supply, drains and vents are covered against leaks and breakage. Sink pops are covered up to four months from closing date.
Roofing:
All roofing materials (shingles, shakes and tiles) is covered under manufactures warranty. TKO warrants against leaks caused by improper installation, flashing or sealants for one-year. Excessive wind/weather damage or acts of God are not covered under TKO’s warranty; consult your homeowners insurance for this coverage.
Skylights:
TKO warrants against skylight leakage.
Water and Sewer Line Extensions:
In the event that settling in the backfill of trenches causes sinkholes. TKO will cover repair.
Windows:
Windows are covered by manufactures warranty, which includes breaking the thermal seal between the panes of glass. A broken thermal seal is evidenced by moisture between the panes of glass. Occasionally, implosion of tempered glass will occur. This is also covered under TKO’s warranty.
Vinyl:
TKO requires the buyer to fully inspect all vinyl areas (siding and floors – for floors refer to floor coverings in this document) for any defects prior to occupancy. To be valid, any claim against faulty vinyl, tears, gouges, and scratches must be reported prior to occupancy. The owner prior to occupancy must also inspect all areas of caulking seams or edged of vinyl. Tears, splits, cracks, or complete separating of those caulking sills must be resealed or replaced immediately. TKO does not make any claim for the responsibility for damage created by water seepage. All vinyl issues must be dealt with prior to occupancy; once the homeowner moves in the vinyl is their responsibility.
Basements:
TKO warrants basements on any issues dealing with structural integrity. Any issues brought to TKO will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Basements are made of concrete and concrete can leak. The homeowner also needs to keep all window wells debris free and snow free in the winter.
Also note that basement walls can get tension cracks which have no baring on the structural integrity of the basement and these are not covered under warranty.
For more information on concrete see the concrete and flatwork section of this document. |
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