Warranty Service

Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ABS Pipe: Black, plastic pipe used as the plumbing drainage system.
Aerator: Located at the end of kitchen and bathroom faucets. It mixes air with the water in order to provide a smooth, splash-free flow of water. Debris and mineral deposits may gradually collect in the aerator, restricting the flow of water.
Base/Baseboard: The strip of molding or trim at the bottom of walls. The baseboard adds an attractive finish and protects the wall from scuffs and damage from furniture and vacuum cleaners.
Base Shoe: An additional strip of molding tacked to the baseboard. It is normally installed to overlay the cut edges of vinyl flooring.
Berm: A small ridge of soil that directs the flow of rain and irrigation water toward drains or sewers.
Blacktop: An asphalt material used for driveways, walkways and streets.
Caulking: A widely used filler material. Primarily, it is used as a sealant around sinks, tubs, showers and countertops. Other applications for caulking include sealing window and door frames, filling minor cracks in drywall and gaps between wood members.
Circuit: The electrical system in your home is separated into individual units referred to as circuits. Depending upon the layout of your home and electrical codes in your area, each circuit may be designed to operate a specific area of the home or a single appliance.
Circuit Breakers: Prevent electrical overload or shorting. The circuit breaker stops the flow of electricity along the circuit when an overload or short occurs. It can be reset manually by moving the circuit breaker lever OFF and then to the ON position once the source of overload has been corrected. Refer to the Electrical Systems section for more information.
CC&R's: This is a real estate law term that stands for Codes, Covenants and Restrictions. CC&R's are the various conditions that are stated on each deed to property.
Common Areas: Most neighborhoods have areas that are common property and owned by the homeowners' association. These areas may include streets, parking areas, walkways, slopes and recreational areas. They are maintained and their use is governed by the homeowners' association.
Condenser: The unit of an air conditioning system that is located outside the home.
Corian: This man-made product can be used for counter tops in kitchens and bathrooms. It provides beauty, durability and an excellent working surface.
Crawl Hole: The opening in the ceiling which gives access to the attic space. This also is called a "scuttle hole".
Cultured Marble: This is a durable, man-made product that simulates the beauty of natural marble. It is most often used as a bathroom countertop.
Dehumidifier: An appliance that removes moisture from the air. Used most frequently during the summer months, a dehumidifier dries the air of rooms below ground level such as a basement.
Drywall: The interior walls of a home are usually constructed of drywall. The material is fire resistant, and can be textured and painted to compliment the style of any home. Also referred to as sheet rock, wallboard or gypsum board.
Easements: A real estate law term that indicates a portion of your property that has a right to use by others or restricts your ordinary rights of ownership. Examples of residential easements are front yard utility easements and open space easements. Also see Public Right of Way.
Efflorescence: The white, powdery substance that sometimes accumulates on stucco, masonry and brick.
Emergencies: Emergencies are defined as situations in which a home and its occupants are in danger. Included are fire, dangerous electrical problems, leaking water and complete stoppage of all drains. Please refer to the Customer Service section on Emergencies.
Emergency Shutoffs: The main and secondary control valves and switches that can immediately stop the flow of water, gas and electricity to your home. The main utility controls serve as emergency shutoffs. Secondary shutoffs for water and gas are located inside your home. Individual electrical circuit breakers are located in the electrical panel box. Also see Utility Controls.
Erosion: The flowing of water from irrigation systems or rain that wears away soil and landscaping, and can change the drainage of the yard. Most erosion can be prevented by maintaining the original grading of the yard.
Expansive Soil: A range of soils found in many coastal areas of southern California that are subject to significant contraction and expansion in times of rain or drought. Specific site preparation and construction measures are taken in areas of expansive soils. Avoid excessive watering and standing water in areas with expansive soils.
FAU: Abbreviation for Forced Air Unit. The FAU is your furnace or heating unit.
Fluorescent: The lighting fixtures that provide an even, soft illumination, typically in kitchens and bathrooms. Fluorescent tubes are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Fluffing: See Shedding.
Galvanized: Steel which is covered with a zinc coating to prevent rust.
GFI: Abbreviation for Ground Fault Interrupt. It is a device similar to a circuit breaker in that it is designed to interrupt the flow of electricity. GFI circuits or outlets are usually located near sinks and tubs or where the threat of water is likely. In the event of a short circuit such as dropping an appliance into a filled tub or sink, the GFI will immediately stop the flow of electricity along the circuit and prevent a serious electrical shock.
Graphite: A carbon-based powdered substance that is used as a lubricant for applications in which oil is unsuitable. Graphite is recommended for use on your window and door hinges and locks.
Grout: The material visible between squares of ceramic tile.
Gypsum Board: See Drywall.
Hardware: The hinges, locks, handles and other metal attachments to doors, cabinets and drawers.
Header: The header is a relatively heavy, structural wood piece that spans the space over door and window frames. The header supports other structural lumber.
Hollow-Core Door: Interior doors are frequently constructed of thin plywood or Masonite sheets that are bonded to a frame. The inside or core of the door is hollow. This reduces weight yet provides good insulation.
Homeowner Maintenance: Your new home will last a lifetime if you routinely maintain the various features of your home. Some of these maintenance items have been indicated in the Maintenance section. This maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.
Homeowners' Association: Many neighborhoods are governed by a small group of homeowner's who represent the interests of all nearby homeowner's. The association is usually formed by the builder and is turned over to the homeowner's when the majority of the homes are sold. The association collects dues that are to be used for proper maintenance of the common areas and to communicate with it's members.
Humidifier: An appliances that restores moisture to the air during dry, winter months.
Incandescent: Lighting fixtures that use traditional light bulbs are called incandescent fixtures. Incandescent lighting is used for lamps, spot lighting and exterior lighting.
Joists: The solid wood structural components of the floor and ceiling of your home are called the joists.
Luminous Ceiling: Plastic ceiling panels that cover the fluorescent light fixtures. When the fluorescent fixture is turned on, the ceiling panels will soften the radiant light and appear luminous.
Manufacturer's Coverage: The appliances and certain other components of a new home that are covered by warranties supplied by the original manufacturers. These warranties are passed on to you by Fieldstone. They include components of the plumbing and electrical systems, heating and air conditioning system, water heater and other manufactured items.
Masonry: The stucco, stonework, fireplace, chimney and brickwork in a home.
Nail Pops: The natural expansion and contraction of wood can cause nails to move or "pop" out of place. The nails can usually be reset.
Polystyrene: A man-made material, similar in appearance to marble, which is sometimes used to form countertops in bathrooms.
Porcelain Enamel: The typical finish of cooktops and other appliances. Refer to the booklets furnished by the manufacturers for proper maintenance and care.
Post-Tension Slab: The concrete slab in many new homes is under tension from stretched steel cables that run horizontally through the slab. The connectors for the cables can be seen at the exposed edges of the slab. The tension from the cables strengthens the slab and prevents serious cracking. Severe damage to the slab can result if the cables are cut. Therefore, do not drill or cut through your concrete slab.
Public Right of Way: Similar to a front yard utility easement, however, ownership differs. The city or county is the public landowner, while the right to use and maintain the land is given to the adjacent property owner or homeowner. Also see Easements.
Quality Control: Fieldstone personnel have inspected your home for conformance to industry standards and those of Fieldstone.
Resilient Flooring: See Vinyl Flooring.
Request for Service: A form used by the homeowner to request service under the terms of Fieldstone's Limited Warranty. All such requests should be in writing and on the proper form. Only those items covered by the Limited Warranty should be listed.
Return Air Vent: The heating and air conditioning system requires return air vents to draw air back into the system. These vents look like regular air vents without a control lever.
Ridging: A filled joint in drywall which becomes visible due to natural expansion and contraction of the materials.
Scuttle Hole: The opening in the ceiling which gives access to the attic space. This is also called a "crawl hole".
Sealant: Commercial products which are used to seal porous materials or gaps between materials from the invasion of moisture.
Secondary Damage: Damage to furniture or possessions resulting from a defect or deficiency in the home.
Settling: In the first months and years after a new home is built, some settling can occur as the underlying soil gains and loses moisture. Minor settling is normal.
Sheathing: The plywood that is installed as a base for shingle or tile roofs.
Shedding: Tiny pieces of loose carpet fibers working their way to the surface. Shedding gradually goes away after time with repeated vacuuming.
Spackle: The putty-like material that is used to fill surface irregularities in drywall. It's most common use is to fill nail holes in walls before repainting.
Stucco: The mortar-like material that covers the exterior of many homes in southern California. Stucco provides excellent durability, insulation and beauty to the home. It is relatively brittle so you should avoid sharp blows to the walls.
Studs: The vertical wood structural members in the interior and exterior walls of a home.
Subcontractor: Most homes in southern California are built by specialized trades who contract with larger builders or developers. This allows the builder to select those trades with the highest standards of quality and a good reputation. Examples of subcontractors are plumbers, roofers and electricians.
Subfloor: The plywood or chip board that is installed beneath the finish floor.
Swale: A depression in the ground. It is designed to channel rain and irrigation water along its path and toward the street.
Tack Strips: The devices between the flooring and carpeting that are used to hold wall-to-wall carpeting in place.
Title 24 (Energy Conservation Act): Title 24 is a building regulation that establishes standards and construction requirements to conserve energy. The standards include not-to-be-exceeded specifications for heating and air conditioning systems, door and window materials, window blinds, insulation and other features of a structure. Title 24 standards vary for different structures so those for one home may differ from those of another nearby home.
Thermostat: The wall-mounted device that controls the heating and air conditioning so that a desired temperature is maintained in the home.
Utility Controls: The main control or shutoff valves and switches that stop the flow of water, gas and electricity to your home. Utility controls are located where the service is metered. Also see Emergency Shutoffs.
Vinyl Flooring: The resilient flooring that is used in kitchens and other high use areas of a home. It is similar to the linoleum floors of years past, but it is easier to care for and maintains its appearance for a longer time.
Vitreous China: The material that is used in most toilet bowls and tanks and sometimes in bathroom sinks. It is very durable and impervious to water but can be broken by sharp blows from hard objects.
Walkthrough Orientation: At this event, the condition of your home is recorded by you and a Fieldstone Warranty Service Representative. For more information, refer to the Customer Service section.
Wallboard: See Drywall.
Warranty Service Department: Service or repairs that are covered by the Limited Warranty, including the First-Year Performance Guarantee, are handled by the Warranty Service Department.
Warranty Service Representative: The person who is responsible for reviewing your warranty requests and acting upon them.
Weep Holes: Small holes in door and window frames that allow water to drain out. They should be kept free of dirt and debris.