Concrete by nature is prone to minor cracks and is considered a common occurrence. Minor cracking is normal and should be expected due to shrinkage, settlement and expansion and contraction of the concrete. It is recommended to fill cracks with a flexible concrete sealant based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Cracks that are over 3/16” wide are warrantied for the first year and should be submitted in writing to the warranty department. 

Minor drywall cracks, corner-bead cracks, and nail pops on interior walls and ceilings are caused by home settlement and drying of wood framing materials. Spinell Homes offers a one-time repair of any drywall settlement cracks in excess of 1/8” in width and all nail pops during the first year. Spinell Homes asks that the Homeowner hold these repairs until the 11th month warranty. 

The most common culprit of a foul odor are the various plumbing drains in your home that have a U-shaped trap that prevents sewer odors from re-entering your home. They do this by trapping a small amount of water in the line that blocks the sewer gasses. If you have a plumbing fixture or floor drain that is rarely used, run a small amount of water into the line every month to maintain the water level in the trap. You should also check under sinks and around any plumbing fixture monthly to verify that a leak has not occurred. A small leak, left unchecked, can cause major damage to cabinets and flooring as well as allow the growth of mold. Due to extreme cold weather plumbing vent pipes can frost over causing sewer gas to back up. Suggested repair is to run hot water for an extended amount of time to help thaw the frost. 

The drain may not be functioning because the plumbing test cap was not removed. To remove it, lift the drain cover and use a screwdriver to puncture the tin plastic plug. You will also want to remove any debris from the drain area to speed slow draining.

Before calling the plumber, unscrew the faucet aerator and check for debris in the aerator screen. Also check to make sure the water shutoff valves for the faucet are fully open underneath the sink.

Much like any product containing wood used in the construction of your new home, hardwood or laminate floors will expand and contract according to the humidity level in your home. Controlling humidity levels according to the manufacturer’s recommendations will help control the dimensional stability of the flooring. 

Sweep or vacuum your floor regularly since built-up grit can damage the surface of the laminate. The vacuum head must be a brush or felt type. Be certain the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head. Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. NEVER wet-mop, damp-mop, or clean your floor with water or other products. This can severely damage the flooring and damage resulting from these actions will not be covered under warranty. Do not use floor cleaning machines or steam cleaners. 

Vinyl floors can be vacuumed, swept or wiped down with a cloth. If liquid is spilled on the vinyl, wipe it up quickly to prevent staining and loosening of the vinyl from the floor. Dirt and mud should be swept up. Never use harsh cleaners such as turpentine, kerosene, or alcohol on your vinyl. High heels and other small pointed or sharp objects can dent or even cut your vinyl floor. Most manufacturers of flooring have specific care and maintenance products for their flooring. In some cases, if these products are not used it may affect the warranty of the flooring. 

Frequent vacuuming and spot treatment of stains as soon as they occur.

Water can penetrate grout seams and joints and can damage materials adjacent to and underneath the tile. In order to help prevent water penetration and grout staining, apply a silicone-based sealer after you move-in and periodically thereafter according to the manufacturer recommendations. 

If your garbage disposal jams, be sure to turn the disposal off and disconnect the power supply or shut off the main circuit breaker. Next, manually free the blades from the obstruction. Some disposals have been equipped with a disposal wrench that can be used for this purpose. The insertion point for the disposal wrench is located at the center of the bottom of the garbage disposal. Once the blades are free, press the reset button and test the unit. Always run cool water into the unit when in use.

Water temperature is set between 130°F and 140°F from the manufacturer, as required by code. While lower settings reduce utility operating costs, bear in mind that dishwashers, which have their own heating element, do not sanitize properly with settings below 132°F.

Small amounts of scale deposits will collect and settle to the bottom of the water tank. Remove this residue by periodically draining the tank. For electric water heaters, shut off the power first using the appropriate circuit breaker in the electrical panel box. Then open the valve at the bottom of the water heater, allowing a quart or two of residue to drain out until the water runs clear. If you live in a hard-water region, a water softener will reduce the need for more frequent draining. Do not completely drain an electric water tank without first shutting off the water heater circuit breaker. Otherwise, the heating element will burn out. For gas water heaters, it is recommended to have the unit periodically evaluated by a professional contractor.

Spinell Homes grades your yard to allow storm water to flow away from your foundation to prevent potential water damage.

We will fill settled areas affecting proper drainage in excess of 6 inches, one time only during the warranty period. You will be responsible for the removal and replacement of landscaping.

Wood trim, non-vinyl siding, and eaves all have painted surfaces. Many things effect how often you will paint your home. Some dark colors are more affected by sun exposure and may need recoating more often than lighter colors. Some areas of your home receive more exposure to sunlight and the elements than the rest of your home. Depending on the harshness of the climate where you live, peeling and cracking paint can occur more frequently than in other areas. This is the first sign that a home needs to be repainted. Peeling and cracking paint can allow moisture and other harmful elements to penetrate the wood framing and foundation of your home. It is wise to inspect your home often for these tell-tale signs.

Cracks in the grout/caulk are considered normal due to settlement of the home. It is important to keep these areas sealed with a good latex caulk. Inspect your shower frequently, and re-caulk as needed.

No. Salt and other deicing chemicals will severely damage exterior concrete surfaces and cause pitting and spalling. These chemicals may be tracked in by your vehicle’s tires or accumulate in your vehicle’s undercarriage. Remove snow and ice promptly from the concrete surfaces. If a thin layer of ice cannot be removed we recommend the use of sand or cat litter to provide safe traction.

Warranties are provided through Spinell Homes and product manufacturers. Your Warranty & Standards Agreement will explain what items in your home are warranted and the extent and duration of the coverage.

Your warranty period starts on the Effective Date, which is the date of the transfer of title or date of occupancy by the first Homeowner, whichever occurs first.

Some warranty items are considered an emergency. Most emergencies are either electrical, plumbing or heating related and are normally handled by the appropriate contractor or utility company. The names and service telephone numbers of these important people are listed on the Emergency Contact list. Before calling for help with an emergency, please review the appropriate electrical, heating, or plumbing section in your Homeowner Warranty & Standards Agreement to determine if the problem can be resolved simply.

Spinell Homes requires access to the home by a responsible adult 18 years of age or older. Spinell Homes personnel and contractors will not perform any work if minors are present unaccompanied by an adult. If no one is able to be present, Spinell Homes may use the lockbox located by the front door with the Homeowner’s permission.

In an effort to provide the most cost effective service to all of our customers, warranty service requests must be scheduled during normal business hours Monday thru Friday. 

Hold all non-emergency service requests until the 11th month. All warranties must be submitted in writing to Spinell Homes either via fax, e-mail, through the website, or regular US Mail. Emergency calls are accepted via phone call to Spinell Homes during normal business hours. After requesting emergency service via phone a homeowner must also follow-up in writing to their local office. For after-hours emergencies please contact the proper contractor shown on the Emergency Contact list provided to you at the final walk-thru.

Spinell Homes uses wood trim moldings. Separation of some wood moldings is normal and caused by home settlement and expansion and contraction of building materials due to changes in humidity. Maintain these areas by periodically re-caulking with a latex caulk.