Home Buyers Guide
Caring for your new home
What’s covered guide and how to care for your new home
This guide is designed to address your needs in the early stages of the occupation of your new home.
Customer assistance
If assistance is necessary, we suggest you collate a list of items before contacting us. We ask that you follow the procedures outlined below when requesting assistance.
For emergency assistance, please refer to your handbook.
You should refer to information given to you handover.
Put it in writing to our customer services department.
Customer assistance requests must be sent in writing to the customer services department at the regional office and not sent or delivered to site-based staff.
Please remember that your primary point of contact is the customer services department.
Exceptions – Appliances
Appliance repair issues should go directly to the appliance manufacturer’s service agent. Phone numbers are provided in your appliance information leaflets. All appliances arecovered directly under the manufacturer’s warranties.
Showhomes (and viewhomes)
applies as normal to these homes, wear and
tear would not be covered as these homes are
"sold as seen."
Requesting customer assistance
Following the receipt of your written request by our customer services department, you will be contacted, if necessary, to schedule an inspection of the items on your list.
The appointment can be scheduled for any weekday during normal working hours. We regret that weekend inspections are not possible.At this appointment, our company representative will carefully review each item on the list with you and recommend the best course of action.
Following the appointment, the relevant contractors will arrange suitable weekday access to your home.Unfortunately weekend appointments cannot be offered. On the scheduled date, our contractor will carry out any necessary work.
At the conclusion of the work, the contractor will ask you to check and sign off the works, to ensure that all of the items have been completed to your satisfaction. Although we will endeavour at all times to complete the works, there may be occasions when further appointments will be necessary.
Annual servicing
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure items such as central heating, hot water systems and gas fires are serviced regularly (usually every 12 months).
Should your system require attention from the manufacturer during the initial 2 year warranty period and you are unable to provide evidence that it has been serviced at the appropriate point, they may refuse to attend, or charge you for the call.
Annual services are the homeowner’s responsibility as are any call out charges incurred as a result of failure to service your system.
The home owner’s responsibility
McInerney Homes offers an industry-leading warranty programme. However, some items are considered the home owner’s responsibility within NHBC guidelines. As such, these items are not covered by the warranty programme.
The following is a brief summary of some of the more commonly encountered issues which are considered to be the home owner’s responsibility within the warrantor’s guidelines, and as such, are not covered by McInerney Homes.
• Drying out - during the first year, a home is typically experiencing the first changes of the seasons and there may be some items that need adjustment as a result of the ‘drying out’ process that is taking place. Thousands of litres of water are drawn out of bricks, mortar, plaster, paint, wood and other construction materials during this process and some movements of these materials is inevitable. It should be noted that minor wall cracking, nail pops, paneling/coving separations and slight imperfections in wall and ceiling surfaces are to be expected and are a natural part of the home drying out process. Most of the construction materials used will move slightly during this initial process and will then stabilize in their new environment. These cosmetic and maintenance issues are normal and therefore non-warrantable.
• More severe cracks and seam openings greater than 5mm - will be repaired once at your request. We suggest that, if repairs are warranted, they be scheduled at around six months. We do include touch-up painting with the repairs, but slight paint finish and colour variations can be expected. We do not paint entire walls or entire rooms.
• Interior paint – maintenance and touch-ups are the home owner’s responsibility.
• Wood finishes (interior and exterior) – variations in colour and / or appearance of woods can be a feature of natural materials.
• Decorator’s filler (caulking) and mastic – both interior and exterior maintenance and touch-up are considered a home owner’s maintenance responsibility. (Caulking involves using filler to plug cracks)
• Landscaping – trees, shrubs, bushes and turf are not covered under the warranty and are the home owner’sresponsibility for care and maintenance.
• Concrete cracks – garage floors, patios, paths and concrete around manhole covers can develop minor shrinkage cracks during the warranty period. These cracks are normal and should be expected.
• Exterior wood – this can develop minor separations, shrinkage and / or warpage.
• Exterior brickwork and mortar – most homes will develop some degree of minor cracking during the warranty period which is related to normal settlement of the foundation and / or thermal expansion and contraction. Efflorescence may also appear. This is caused by natural salts coming out from the wall materials and is quite normal. This is not harmful and usually disappears over time.
• Small cracks – in hard floor coverings such as tiles can be expected.
• Minor cracking – or loss of grouting between tiles and / or other materials is not uncommon.
• Natural materials – such as wood and marble will have colour and tone variations. This is a normal condition.
• Minor warping – of wood doors, kitchen cabinet doors and other wood trim, which does not effect the function,is normal.
• Chips, scratches, loss of finish – in tile, marble, vinyl flooring, woodwork, walls, porcelain, brick, plumbing fixtures, plastic laminate, glass or any other materials not recorded on the customer handover form will not be covered.
• Also, minor fading due to exposure to light, or slight dye variations, are common.
• Plumbing – stoppages due to foreign materials being deposited in the line by occupants are not covered.
• Water pressure – though every effort has been made, in conjunction with the local water authority to maximise the water supplies present on our developments, low waterpressure conditions may limit the simultaneous use of appliances and outlets.
Exterior finishes
Exterior timber is treated to slow down weathering and the rate at which moisture is absorbed into the material.
Wood or wood products exposed to weather should be sealed with a protective coating, generally stain or paint.
Exterior stains and paint are chosen for their durability and appearance but will fade after exposure to the elements.
Fading is most noticeable if touch-ups should be necessary as a result of localised repairs.
Repainting your home every 18 months to 2 years is an inevitable home owner maintenance item and should eliminate such fading or colour contrasts.
Before painting/ staining, you should:
• Clean surface thoroughly
• Repair minor cracks
• Let surface dry thoroughly
• Check original paint / stain colour
• Choose a good quality exterior paint and follow manufacturer’s directions specifically for application and surface preparation
Treated wood, while being decay resistant, will normally stain and discolour unless adequately protected with a paint or stain finish. Surface cracking or checking is normal andwill occur with stain or natural finish products on wood. Because wood is a natural product, mitres, end butted joints and other jointed detail will, in time, develop separations due to the nature of wood shrinkage. This is normal during periods of change in temperature and seasons and especially changing moisture conditions. After a full season, most of these occurrences should begin to minimise.
Inspect the filler (caulking) mastic around windows, doors and trim once a year. If a space develops atjoints, cornersor ends, you should apply outdoor grade mastic to correct the situation. Use only qualityproducts which are specifically recommended for exterior use.Masonry and mortar generally need no exterior treatment.
Decorator’s filler (caulking) and mastic tips
• Check your caulking (filler in cracks and gaps) and masticat least twice a year
• It should be applied anywhere different materials meetand water might penetrate
• Outside, use a mastic gun and a tube of high qualityoutdoor mastic
• Remember, water damage is not covered by yourwarranty
Care of Macadam driveways
• At certain times, particularly hot periods, the ‘Macadam’may become softer. This should not cause long term damage
• If your drive surface becomes soft, take care when manoeuvring vehicles, particularly those with power steering, as scuffing may occur. It is important not to turn your steering wheel whilst your car is stationery
• ‘Macadam’ is not designed to withstand point loading particularly during the early months after it has been laid.
Care should be taken with items such as ladders, chairs, motorbike stands and stiletto heels etc. If a pointed item is to be used on your drive, a sheet of flat plywood or hardboard should be placed beneath it to disperse the load and protect the surface
• ‘Macadam’ surfaces are often covered with a sealing grit when laid, the particles of which may cause damage to your house flooring if care is not taken. Outside shoes should be removed before entering the property during the early months of occupation when grit may become attached to the soles of your shoes
• Heavy loads may cause damage to your new drive. Avoid placing heavy items on your drive, particularly in the early months following construction.
• Should a problem occur with the surface of your drive, repair patches can be carried out in line with building industry practice.
New technologies
Our demand for high quality performance materials together with increasing standards of Building Regulations, mean the use of new technologies and materials, such as thin brick cladding solutions are at times combined with traditional construction methods to ensure that all dwellings perform to the highest standards.
As with traditional masonry, generally no exterior treatment is required but if you have any concerns regarding the maintenance of your home please contact the customer services department
Plumbing and drains
Tap washers will fail after considerable time and use, therefore, tap washer replacement is one of the most common of household tasks.
The best preventative maintenance for plumbing failure is to avoid discarding and clogging materials into the sinks and toilet bowls (such as‘bathroom’ wipes).
To prevent the build-up of residual grease and soap, we suggest a simple monthly maintenance routine.
Run hotwater through the drain, add three tablespoons of baking soda, add a little hot water, let it stand for 15 minutes, then flush with running water.
Do not use bleach or its derivative with plastic piping.
Outside taps (where applicable) are not frost proof unless hoses are disconnected during freezing weather.
The most common cause of burst water pipes is a frozen outside tapwhich has not been drained and isolated properly.
Before winter, isolate the tap under the kitchen sink and drain.
Plumbing and fixture tips
• Be sure that you know how to turn off the mains water supply tap.
• Have central heating and hot water systems services annually.
• Always read and follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Tap aerators should be cleaned when clogged as should all waste traps.
• Adjust the toilet float and valve if toilet runs constantly.
• Be sure to turn off the water if it overflows.
Drains and sewage tips
• Large solid items going through our drains and sewers cause major problems for water companies.
Care must also be taken with some smaller items – just because something is described as disposable does not mean it issafe to dispose of down your lavatory or drain.
To help the environment, it is suggested that the following are disposed of in your household rubbish: dental floss, bathroom wipes, plasters, disposable nappies, female hygiene products, bandages, packaging, cotton buds
• Cooking fat / grease – this is easy to pour down the drain when it is hot but it quickly cools and solidifies, leading to blockages.
Instead of pouring down the sink, pour it into a plastic container and dispose of it with your household waste.
Electrical systems
The wiring in your new home has been designed and installed to meet the current electrical regulations and safety standards.
It is divided into circuits that carry usually anticipated loads. It is a good idea to learn the extent of each of your circuits, so that you will not overload any one of them.
Avoid the hazardous practice of plugging in too many plugs into one socket outlet.
Circuit breakers are used in your home and are located in the consumer unit (fuse box).
A circuit breaker acts just like a fuse, but it does not have to be replaced, just reset.
A circuit breaker seldom trips unless something in the circuit is faulty.
Be sure you determine the cause for failure and make the necessary correction.
Most electrical problems are caused by faulty conditions of bulbs, appliance or extension leads and plugs. Replace at the first sign of wear and / or damage.
Electrical system tips
• Be sure you know where the consumer unit (fuse box) is located
• Ensure all circuits are clearly labelled
• Circuit breakers should only be turned back on after the problem has been disconnected
• If applicable, use child resistant covers on all exposed outlets
• Test your smoke detectors
Floor coverings
Carpeting maintenance requires regular vacuuming and removal of spots for longevity.
Heavy objects resting on carpet should be periodically moved to avoid matting and permanent marking.
Most vinyl and wood finish flooring products are resilient but will scratch, tear and dent under certain conditions.
Shoes with metal heels and toecaps, stones trapped in shoe tread or stiletto heels can ruin the appearance of such flooring materials in a short period of time.
It is recommended that you cap the legs of tables and chairs that will rest on these surfaces.
Do not use too much water on your vinyl, wood or tile floors, instead, frequent vacuuming and dry mopping should increase their serviceability.
Occasional vigorous cleaning should not harm, if dried thoroughly.
Ceramic tile and similar products will require regular cleaning to remove normal build-up of surface dust, soap and other deposits. Use detergent or non-abrasive ceramic tile-cleaner.
As a general rule, all floor coverings last much longer if properly maintained. Regular cleaning will reduce floorcovering wear dramatically because dust, dirt, sand and grit act as abrasives, actually wearing down the floor surface and cutting the carpet fibre.
Flooring care and maintenance tips
• Almost all carpeting will shed at first and fade over time.
• Hard flooring will normally have some variations in colour and grain effect.
• Be sure to clean and maintain wood surfaces according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Be cautious with water on all floor surfaces and mop up spills immediately.
Wall Coverings
During the first year, walls are subjected to stress as the various construction materials expand, contract and stabilise within their new environment.
As a result, nail popping and minor cracking is unavoidable.
These minor defects are usually simple to repair with the use of decorator’s caulk or plaster compound filler. In many cases, a new coat of paint is sufficient. It may be desirable to delay major decorating or wall papering until the drying out process is complete as potential nail pops or cracks could affect a newly decorated wall.
In drylined construction, you may notice artificial light will cast shadows on the ceiling and it will appear to be wavy or uneven. This is also true of some vertical surfaces, but not quite so noticeable as the ceiling. In as much as drylining material is of uniform thickness, it follows the contours of wall or ceiling framing, which may not be perfectly true due to settling or slight movement of the stud timber.
If repairs are necessary, we will paint the repaired areas. Where our original finish colour has been changed, it is the home owner’s responsibility to re-decorate. When touching up paintwork, there is a strong possibility that these painted areas will not exactly match the existing paintm due to fading. Please note we will not repaint areas beyond the repair work.
Before repainting walls and ceilings, it is important that the surfaces be properly prepared:
• Clean surface, remove dirt and grease
• Repair minor cracks and nail pops with filler and sand smooth
• Let surface dry thoroughly
• Sand lightly glossed or stained surfaces
• Follow paint manufacturer’s directions
• Choose good quality paint appropriate for the area you are repainting. Do not use emulsion paint on top of glass or stain, as it will not adhere. Use washable paints in areas subject to wear and tear, e.g. kitchens
• Care should be taken when cleaning marks off recently painted surfaces.
Plasterboard repair and painting tips
• You may have wall and ceiling cracks, but they are easy to fix by applying filler, sanding and painting
• Be sure to follow the paint manufacturer’s directions
• Save your leftover paint for touching up
• Any large cracks (excess of 5mm) will be repaired once by our service contractor at your request
Appliances
Appliance manufacturers provide operating instructions and information on troubleshooting appliance problems.
These instructions will provide you with valuable information on the safe operation and maintenance of your appliances.
Extractions need to be regularly checked and cleaned by vacuuming the grills and if applicable, washing the filters with soapy water.
To function properly, all extractors need to be free of obstacles, dust and dirt.
Worktop tips
• Worktops are sensitive to gouging, scratches and cuts; be careful and do not let water accumulate on or near joints
• Laminates are not heat proof. Do not put hot pans on them
• Ceramic surfaces are heat resistant but can crack or chip from impact. These can be protected by sealing the grout once a year
• Fibreglass and man-made surfaces need regular cleaning and care
• There are companies available offering a touch-up service or minor issues
Roof, doors and windows
Roof
High winds, driving rain and snow may cause damage to the roof. After heavy storms it is advisable to check for leaks in the roof space.
Any damage resulting from severe weather is not covered by us and should be referred to your insurance company. Avoid walking on the roof; if access is required, roof ladders must be used. Damage caused by window cleaners, aerial installers, etc. is not covered underyour warranty.
Gutters and downpipes require regular cleaning. To avoid water damage caused by a clogged system, leaves and debris should be removed.
Doors and windows
Doors and windows have changed dramatically over the past decades. In addition to wood and putty construction, it is common to have PVC-u frames, with rubber gaskets sealing in the sealed unit windowpanes. Check all glazed openings for proper seals and broken glass.
Once a year, clean and lubricate all moving parts. Check weather stripping for damage and tightness each autumn. Tracks of sliding doors and windows should be cleaned at least annually and lubricated as recommended by the manufacturer. Check decorator’s filler (caulking / mastic) at doors, windows and all other openings and joints between dissimilar materials, such as wood and masonry.
Door closures, lock sets and thresholds should be checked and adjusted as needed. Inspect exterior doors each spring and autumn for wear to see that weather stripping is tight and secure. Some shrinkage and warping due to moisture /humidity changes is normal in doors and other wood parts.
Typically, warped doors will return to normalas the season changes and often, after the first year, the problem will be minimal. Garage doors should be kept in good working order. For safety purposes, check all fittings, re-tighten if necessary and oil the mechanism.
Door and hardware care tips
• Doorknobs and hardware should be periodically checked for fit, function and finish.
• Loose screws should be tightened.
• Tight hinges should be oiled.
• Hardware should be kept clean and wiped with a soft cloth. Outdoor fixtures are vulnerable to tarnishing and pitting (especially in adjoining coastal areas)
• Door thresholds and weather seals should be checked twice a year
Insulation and ventilation
One of the most important parts of your home is not generally seen. Insulation has been installed in yourroof space according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Check to make sure insulation in the loft is kept dry. Watch for areas of moisture. Proper loft ventilation has been provided in your home and it is very important that the venting system functions as designed. Proper ventilation helps cool the loft in summer and reduces condensation in the winter.
Vents should be cleaned occasionally and should never be covered. Due to possible damage being caused to the roof structure and damp or cold related damage to personal possessions, the storage of items in the roof space is not recommended.
Reducing condensation
Condensation is caused by steam or water vapour when it comes into contact with cold surfaces (in thesame way that steam in the bathroom condenses on the window). Once materials have dried out, you should no longer experience significant condensation.
However, normal daily activities produce a great deal of water vapour, which may cause condensation if allowed to spread around your home. In cold weather, you may notice some moisture on the felt under the roof tiles of your home. This is due to warm moist air from inside your home passing through the ceiling and condensing on the cold timber or felt.Ventilation is provided to allow the moisture to gradually disperse.
The following tips should help reduce condensation:
• Produce less moisture. Cover pans when cooking to reduce steam. Avoid drying clothes indoors over radiators. Put washing outdoors to dry if you can. If you use a tumble dryer, make sure that it is vented to the outside air (unless it is a self-condensing type)
• Stop moisture spreading through your home. Use the cooker hood and extractor fans and keep the doors closed when cooking, washing, bathing and drying clothes indoors.
• Ventilate moisture away. Ventilation is needed to get rid of moisture that is naturally produced every day in your home. The trickle vents (slotted vents in the window frames) are intended to provide constant‘background’ ventilation and should be left open when rooms are occupied.
• Provide even heating. At appropriate times, make sure the central heating timer is set so that your homeis warm by the time you return home. During very cold weather it is better to leave the heating on duringthe day to maintain an even temperature. The temperature can be set a few degrees lower and turned up when you return.
Landscaping and grading
Your garden is graded to the natural contours of the land. As the ground settles, new natural drainage channels will form. This settlement and formation of channels may take up to two years. Until complete, ‘wet’ areas in your garden may be present.
The backfill of gardens and / or service pipes will settle over time. This settlement may cause low areas where water may collect. To maintain even drainage, it is important to fill any depressions caused by settlement.
It may be advisable to consult a landscape gardener or delay major projects until after the first year of occupancy, at which time most settlement will have taken place and the natural drainage of the land will have had time to re establish.
Your garden may be laid to turf prior to occupancy. It is imperative that the lawn be heavily watered, especially in summer months. To prevent soil erosion, plant ground cover, grass or shrubbery on slopes and banks.
Landscape care
It is of the utmost importance that you start to care for your new lawn immediately upon taking ownership,as this is the most critical step in having a beautiful lawn. A new lawn will require constant maintenanceand hard work on your part, but the value it adds to your new home is well worth the effort.
Plants
The layout and selection of plants have been designed in accordance with the planning permission.
Success in maintaining any recent planting depends on your personal care and treatment, as we do notprovide a guarantee.
Lawn care and planting tips
• Watering – it is recommended with most new plants that they be soaked with water ‘once a week’ from the early spring until the ground freezes in winter. Do not water more often than this. Let the water slowlysoak around the plant, then, after it has soaked in and set for a while water again to ensure a deep watering.
• Exceptions – in very hot weather, all plants may need to be watered more frequently. Grass and seededareas require more water then plants. When watering your lawn, it is important not to water the plantingbed, as this will over water and possibly kill the plants. Plants which ‘yellow’ are most likely receiving too much water. Do not water these in an attempt to ‘save’ them, as this will definitely kill them
• Fertilising – generally, fertilise in early April and repeat six weeks later or by late May
• Pruning – we recommend that you do not prune in the first year