How To Run In Your New Home

Customer Care Home - Managment Agent's Information

HOW TO RUN IN YOUR NEW HOME
Just like a new car, a new home needs to be 'run-in'. It needs to adjust to the rigours of being constructed and there are ways you can help this process. By following a few simple guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chance of problems occurring.

WHY DOES MY NEW HOME HAVE TO BE RUN IN?
Every new home contains up to 1500 gallons of water. This is because many of the materials used in building a home are mixed using water, e.g concrete, mortar, screed and plaster. You may not be able to see or feel it and it won’t do you any harm, but it does need to evaporate. This process is known as 'drying out'.

HOW LONG IS THE DRYING OUT PERIOD?
There is no set period for drying out. How long it takes will depend on the home's construction and the time of year you move in. The process can take anything from 2-5 years.

HOW WILL DRYING OUT AFFECT MY HOME?
As the home is lived in and heated, the materials will shrink, causing small cracks. These are not structurally important, and can be permanently cured in the normal process of redecoration. Because such cracks are inevitable, your builder is not legally bound to rectify them. This also applies to external brick and block work which is susceptible to thermal movement which can cause stepped cracking in the mortar joints. Again this is not structurally important and your builder is not legally bound to rectify.

As the new home begins to dry out, vapour will be drawn out of the materials and may cause condensation.

You can minimise cracking and condensation by following the advice given here:

To minimise cracking, try to keep a reasonable even temperature. Use central heating sparingly at first.

Keep the temperature constant. If you move in during winter, try not to have the heating on too high. If you are out of the house all day, keep the heating on at a lower temperature.

Minor cracks should be left for a few months and then sealed after your new home has dried out.

If you do find condensation on windows, wipe it away.

Stop moisture spreading by closing the door when cooking or taking a bath.

Allow moisture to escape. If you are producing a lot of moisture ensure that a window is open. If you have en extractor fan, use it and allow it to run for at least 15 minutes after you finish cooking, showering or bathing.

Do not block built in ventilation systems such as air bricks, passive ventilators etc.

If you have any concerns about your home or you need any advice, please do not hesitate to contact the Home Care Department at your earliest possible convenience

CONDENSATION
Condensation is caused by steam or water vapour in the air turning to moisture when it touches a cold surface such as a window. To reduce condensation ventilate your home by keeping windows, cupboards, wardrobes and internal doors open a little wherever possible, whilst maintaining a reasonable level of heat. Kitchen and bathroom doors should be kept shut while in use otherwise water vapour will escape and spread to the rest of the home. It is also advisable not to use liquid gas or oil heaters.

Condensation is a natural occurrence however, it can be minimised by following the above guidelines.

DRAINAGE
After one month of occupation, any blocked drains (internal/external) will become the responsibility of the Home Owner. A drain blockage in the private drain system within your boundary is more likely to be caused by house hold waste such as disposable nappies, solidified fats and kitchen roll etc. If this is the case then you will need to contact a drain system specialist to unblock the system at your expense.

Please ensure that the drainage system is flushed at least twice a year.

ARTSTONE
Decorative Artstone is susceptible to movement and hairline cracking. This is not a defect and is not detrimental to the construction of your new home.

EFFLORESCENCE
Should you discover the appearance of white deposits (efflorescence) on outside or inside walls do not worry. This is another sign that the property is drying out and the white markings are caused by salts coming out of the wall as a result of using naturally occurring materials. Efflorescence can be removed from internal walls with a dry brush and those on external walls will disappear in time.

EXTERNAL PAINTWORK
It is the responsibility of the Home Owner to maintain the external paint work of the property. NHBC recommendations are to re-decorate external paintwork after 12 to 18 months and thereafter on an annual basis.

KITCHEN
Laminated units, works tops and sinks should not be cleaned with non abrasive cleaners / non bleach cleaners.

Protect work tops and sinks from hot items such as pans, neither Trophy Homes nor the Kitchen Manufacturer will replace damaged work tops or sinks caused as a direct result of heat, we recommend that you use a glass work top saver to prevent such damage. Protect your work tops from knife scratches by always using a chopping board. Please avoid resting electric kettles on any joints in worktops.

All kitchen unit doors used by Trophy Homes are fitted with adjustable hinges to allow easy adjustment. During the drying out period it is possible for unit doors to drop out of line. It is the Home Owners responsibility to make any adjustment as necessary. Stainless steel sinks can be enhanced by using a small amount of baby oil to polish. Please note that these sinks are very easily scratched.

Small spillages of water will not harm the surface of doors or work tops. However, never allow water to lie on the surface and wipe away spillages immediately, especially around sinks, hobs and on joints.

SMOKE DETECTORS
Please read the instructions for your smoke detectors carefully and note the necessity to change the batteries when the warning alarm is sounded. Detectors should also be tested weekly and the sensor cleaned monthly.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The facility of a British Telecom service to your home is already available and should you wish to have a telephone installed, please contact British Telecom direct.

HANGING PICTURES / SHELVING
Your new home will have pipes and electrical wires located within the walls. We would therefore advise that for your safety, a careful check of adjacent switches is made before nailing or screwing items into the walls as cables usually run horizontally or vertically away from the power source.

We would recommend that a pipe and cable tester is used, as Trophy Homes are unable to accept liability for any damage or personal injury, caused as a direct result of the above. Please note the water piping system is installed with plastic pipework and cannot therefore be detected with a pipe detector - please proceed with caution around radiators, stop valves and sanitary ware.