YOUR NEW HOME

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Routine care of your home is the key to protecting your investment. 

BATH FIXTURES

The bathroom fixtures have protective surfaces that preserve their appearance and performance.  Keeping surfaces clean and taking preventative measures to avoid damaging them will help preserve their look and functionality.

Caution:  Before using ammonia or any cleaners, be sure to read the caution on the label.

General care guidelines

• Run exhaust fans or open windows to remove moisture from the bathroom.
• Don't step into a bathtub or shower stall with shoes on.  Shoe soles carry gritty particles that can scratch the surface.
• Clean mirrors with an ammonia-free cleaner.  Using ammonia-based mirror cleaners will cause do-silvering along the edges of the mirrors.
• Wipe the shower area dry after each use.
• Clean the shower with an ordinary dish washing detergent unless hard water miners have been deposited.
• Use Rain-X on glass to help reduce watermarks.
• Never use steel wool or scouring pads on the metal portion of shower closures.  They remove the protective finish applied by the manufacturer and cause unsightly scratches.
• Make sure water isn't escaping the shower enclosure.  If it is escaping, make sure the door is completely closed.
• If hard water minerals have been deposited, use a commercial glass cleaner containing ammonia or 1 tablespoon of household ammonia diluted in 1 quart of water.
• Clean bathtub with a foaming bath and tile cleaner to remove normal soil.
• Never use any type of abrasive to clean the bathtub.
• Don't use the tub spout as a support when getting in or out of the tub.  Using the spout as a support may permanently damage it.
• Use special fiberglass cleaners, which are available at most supermarkets.  Spray window cleaners also are effective.
• For long-term protection, wax your fiberglass units with high-quality automobile wax immediately upon move-in and after each major cleaning.
• Never use powdered cleaners or any type of abrasive on fiberglass tubs and showers.

CERAMIC TILE AND GROUT

Ceramic tile is generally easy to maintain.  Use the following suggestions to help keep your ceramic floors and walls looking new.

• Sweep or vacuum the floor areas to remove dust and debris before cleaning them.
• Sweep or vaccum the floor tiles regularly to remove any abrasive particles that could damage the floor.
• Clean the tile using a non-oil-based household cleaner that's compatible with cement grouts.
• Wipe tile with a moist cloth, and wet mop it occasionally.
• Clean and scrub tile floors with a cleaning solution using a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or non-metallic brush, and then rinse with clean water to remove the cleaning solution.
• Use protective mats at all exterior-to-interior entrances to tile floors.
• Use protective pads on your furniture bottoms to help prevent scratching the tile.
• Clean the grout used between ceramic tiles with a brush and mild cleanser.

TOILETS

• Toilets are made of vitreous china, a type of clay with a smoothed, glazed surface.  The surface is durable, but can be scratched with improper cleaning and use.  It is highly recommended to clean your toilet with a toilet cleaner that will not scratch your toilet.
• Toilet tablets that are placed in the toilet or toilet tank that change the color of your water are not recommended because they have been known to ruin floors if the tank should happen to leak. 
• The parts in the tank need replacing throughout the life of your home.  This is normal maintenance.  Your can purchase replacement parts at your local hardware store.

SHUTOFF VALVES

• Water shutoff valves work just like their name implies-they allow you to shut off water to particular areas of your home to prevent flooding if a fixture or appliance fails.
• The main shutoff valve that cuts off the water supply to the entire home is typically located near the water meter.  Most of the water-using fixtures and appliances in your home have their own shutoff valves.
• The shutoff valves for some fixtures, such as bathtubs and showers, might be difficult to access.  It might be easier to cut off the main water supply instead of the individual shutoff for one of these fixtures if needed.

FAUCETS

• Faucets, like all plumbing fixtures with moving parts, are apt to require more repair than non-moving fixtures.  The less strain you put on your faucets, the less frequently they need repair.
• Cleaning the aerators will be the most frequent tasks in maintaining your faucets.  A lack of water pressure is usually caused by a buildup of sediment on the aerator screens inside the faucet, reducing splashing and providing some water conservation.

EXHAUST FANS

Exhaust fans provide ventilation to remove potentially damaging moisture from your home.  Exhaust fans are installed in bathrooms and above the kitchen range or in the microwave.  The fans also remove odors. 

• Showering , cooking, and other activities involving warm or boiling water produce a lot of moisture in your home.  Moisture damages building materials and promotes mold growth.  It is very important to use your exhaust fans when cooking as well as during and after your shower or bath.

CARPETING

Your attractive, durable carpeting will look great for years with regular cleaning and maintenance.

• Vacuum carpeting at least once a week.  Vacuuming is especially important for some of the denser shear and shag patterns. 
• Have your carpeting cleaned professionally at least once a year to remove deep-down dirt and stubborn stains. 
• Dry wet carpeting immediately to avoid delamination.
• To remove spots, use the manufacturer's recommended cleaning products, and follow the instructions for spot removal.

WOOD FLOORING

The wood flooring in your home adds an inviting and charming atmosphere.  With proper care, you can ensure that it retains its long-term aesthetic value.

Rela wood flooring can be made from a number of different types of wood, such as beech, maple, and oak.  Your floors will range in durability depending on the type of wood used.  All wood expands and contracts as the weather changes; it can shrink in extreme dryness or swell in extreme humidity.  The benefits of wood floors lie in their stylish appearance, as well as in their ability to last a lifetime with good care.

• Use the manufacturer's recommended products, and follow the instructions for routine care and maintenance suggestions for your home's wood flooring.
• Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop your floor once a week or more if needed.

VINYL FLOORING

The vinyl flooring in your home is made of wear-resistant materials that are easy to clean and maintain.

Vinyl floors are very durable.  The clear, non-porous, wear layer keeps spots and spills out while sealing in your floor's natural beauty.  They'll recover quickly from most indentations and are flexible under the impact of normal household traffic.

• Use the manufacturer's recommended maintenance products, and follow the instructions to maintain the flooring.
• Remove spills immediately.
• Never use a vacuum with a beater bar, as it can damage the floor.
• Equip all furniture and appliances with glides or furniture caps.