Warranty Service
Warranty Service Program
Plumbing System
The plumbing system in your new home features modern materials. With care, it will provide trouble-free service for many years. We recommend that you become familiar with your plumbing system as soon as you move in. You should know the location of the main shutoff and individual shutoffs in the bathrooms and kitchen and at the water heater.
All questions and requests for warranty service on your plumbing system must be directed to the subcontractor who installed the system.
In the event of a plumbing emergency, you must close the main water shutoff at once. Flowing water can cause severe damage to your home and its contents. The main water shutoff is usually located below the front faucet where the water pipes enter the house. Another water shutoff is located outside at the water meter. The Fieldstone Representative will identify the water shutoffs during the Homeowner Orientation.
Other water shutoffs are located under the sinks in the bathrooms and the kitchen. Each toilet has a shutoff valve behind the toilet bowl. Another water shutoff is located on the top of the water heater. It controls the flow of water to the water heater and should be closed in the event of a leak in the water heater.
Each plumbing fixture in your home has a drain pipe designed with a U-shaped trap. The trap holds water which prevents airborne bacteria and odor of sewer gas from entering your home. We suggest that you occasionally turn on the water at every fixture to replace the water in the trap lost to evaporation. Because of their shape, the traps are the most likely area to become clogged.
Before using hot water for the first time, let it run from each faucet for a few minutes to clear any construction sediment from the lines.
It is recommended that you flush all toilets and run water through sinks, especially in bathrooms not used on a regular basis.
It is important that you know how to control the water supply to your home:
- Know the location of the main shutoff and individual shutoffs in your home.
- In the event of a plumbing emergency, close the main shutoff.
Fixtures
Faucets and other plumbing fixtures are designed for beauty and trouble-free use. However, their finish can be damaged with abrasive cleansers, scouring pads and tools. Clean fixtures with only warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth.
Avoid excessive force when you turn your faucets off. Closing them too tightly will excessively compress the washer and eventually cause the faucet to drip.
A leaky faucet may mean either that the washer is worn out or that sediment has collected on the valve seat. The valve seat can be removed and cleaned. New washers can be obtained at hardware stores or home centers.
Faucets are equipped with aerators which mix air with the stream of water to prevent splashing. Clean aerators occasionally to remove sediment and mineral deposits. When you notice that the stream of water has lessened, unscrew the aerator from the mouth of the faucet and remove the debris.
Bathtub and Shower Enclosures
You can preserve the original high gloss finish by regular cleaning with a liquid soap or detergent. Do not use abrasive cleansers. Always rinse the walls and the door of the shower after each use. Most stains can be removed with a solution of bleach. Shower and tub enclosures must be re-caulked periodically to prevent leaks.
Toilets
Toilets are made of vitreous china, a material that is brittle and will easily break or shatter if hit with a hard object. Clean your toilets with a toilet bowl cleaner and a brush or cloth.
Always keep a plunger on hand to use in the event of a toilet stoppage. If a stoppage occurs, close the shutoff valve on the wall behind the toilet. Usually, a few vigorous pumps with the plunger will free the obstruction. If this is unsuccessful, we suggest that you call the plumbing subcontractor. Stoppages after 30 days are considered to be the homeowner's responsibility. The stoppage of one toilet is not considered to be an emergency under the terms of the Limited Warranty. Do not use drain cleaners in toilets. The harsh chemicals in drain cleaners can damage the toilet seals and cause leaks.
If your toilet seems to be running intermittently or there is too little water for flushing, the water level may be out of balance. It is a simple matter to control the water level in the tank by adjusting the float arm.
Hard Water
Generally the water of this area is described as “hard water”. This means it contains minerals which can cause blemishes on plumbing fixtures as well as scale buildup in water heaters. This condition is faced by all who live in this area. Soft water conditioners are available for rent or purchase from plumbing contractors and home centers.
