Understanding Your New Home - Section 1

There is a lot of excitement and much to learn when you move into your new home.

In a brand new home, things often do go bump in the night. When new houses are constructed, the wood used for the
frame and trim often contains a good bit of moisture. The heightened moisture content facilitates cutting and nailing and minimizes splitting. Once the house is enclosed and heated, the moisture content of the wood will gradually decrease and stabilize. As the wood goes through this drying process, some shrinkage, warpage, and less often, splitting may occur. When this happens, some new homeowners become alarmed by the sharp cracking noises, nail pops through painted drywall surfaces, cracks in drywall, and gaps where trim pieces join together. Once the moisture content of the wood stabilizes, (generally in about one year) these events will stop appearing and at that time can be corrected.

Builders expect these things. It is important that you also understand and expect these things to occur. Remember that the builder already has plans to make the adjustments, but it is necessary to wait until the wood moisture content stabilizes (generally about one year). The builder will make a one-time repair to correct these problems; that is why it is important that you wait for the drying process to finish. Shrinkage of caulk, which may occur after the onetime repair, is your responsibility to repair. After the one-time service, care of the drywall is your responsibility. Most repairs can be made easily and is best done when you plan to repaint the room. It is important for the homeowner to understand also, the builder is not responsible for drywall flaws that are visible only under particular lighting conditions. We certainly hope you do not let such predictable occurrences interfere with the comfort we want you to have in your new home.

Some of the equipment in your new home comes with a warranty from the manufacturer. A one-year warranty for performance and workmanship is provided by the builder. A list of subcontractor’s phone numbers is provided along with the equipment warranties that go with your new home. If you should encounter problems, use the contact list provided.

WOOD SHRINKAGE

During the first six months of occupancy, you may actually find dimples forming on the surfaces of various pieces of drywall. As the wood parts of the house dry and shrink a bit, the nail points stay relatively fixed within the wood. The sheets of drywall, glued to the surface of the wood pieces are drawn around the nail heads so that a dimple appears. These nails will be reset, spackled over and touched up with fresh paint.

When wood dries, it can warp somewhat too. Whenever a crack opens up in drywall surfaces, it is almost always two pieces of wood which have warped away from each other. Such cracks get retaped, spackled and touched up with paint. Another characteristic of drying wood is that it dries from the outside inward and as a result can often crack or “check” as it does this. Sometimes loud cracking noises akin to gunshot noises can be heard when such cracks open up. This may sound odd, but in fact, is quite normal during the first year of the house’s life.

When trim work is carefully fitted in the house, you will notice all the joints being tight together. Expect some separation and widening of cracks between these joints. These will be filled and touched up after the house has dried.

SETTLING IN
|
Simply living normal lives in our house causes certain things to occur. As we cook, shower, or even exhale, we put moisture into the air within the house. If it is winter and the windows
are very cold, this moisture may show up as condensation on the cold surfaces. Bay windows, which are prone to quick cooling from outside wind, are more prone to moisture condensation than other windows. We strive to obtain a moisture balance within our homes and that is why there are exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms and why the clothes
dryer is vented to the outside.

It is most desirable to maintain a reasonable level of relative humidity inside the house during the winter. If the moisture in the air falls too low, we may find ourselves with dried up nasal passages, dry skin, and even building up static electricity when we walk across carpeted floors. This is why some homes are equipped with automatic humidifiers on their heating systems. These units add moisture to the air when we need it. When it gets very cold outside, you should lessen the moisture setting on the humidistat for the humidifier.

PRESSURE

When the wind blows very hard it can pull air out of the house. This is said to be a negative pressure. You may notice that a fireplace, which normally functions perfectly, will be a little smoky. In the event this problem should arise, open the window in the room slightly. This will restore the pressure in the room and return normal airflow to the chimney.

WATER HAMMER

Water is heavy. When it moves rapidly through the plumbing supply pipes it builds up momentum. When the dishwasher or washing machine valves stop this rushing water very quickly, the momentum can shock the pipes. The energy can loosen the pipes and they may rattle or “hammer.” Since this is caused by high water pressure, you want to reduce the water pressure using the pressure-reducing valve (usually installed by the main water shutoff).

SOUND TRANSMISSION

Controlling sound transmission in and around a home is directly related to airflow. If the windows or doors of a home fit loosely, outdoor sounds will travel around the gaps and enter the home. Sound from room to room is largely the same. If you want to lessen outside noise entering the house, keep your windows and doors closed and locked. Controlling the volume of sound between rooms can be more complicated. Since most rooms have doors which have a sizeable gap at the bottom to facilitate re-circulation of conditioned air. Furnishings and floor coverings help to absorb the sound waves. Good manners keep most household sounds down to a happy “hum.” Another form of sound within homes that can be annoying is impact noise. Muffling or damping the original impact best quiets it. Carpets with thick padding are an effective way to reduce sound transmission from one floor to another.

DUST AND DIRT

The drier the home or the lower the relative humidity of the air within the home, the greater the likelihood the house will be dusty. In the winter, homes often need to add moisture to their indoor air to maintain comfort and to minimize “breathable” dust. The water used in the humidifier can precipitate minerals, which can then become airborne as dust. Therefore, regular cleaning of your humidifier is wise. Most dirt is tracked into the house from the outsides. Welcome mats and throw rugs go a long way toward capturing this dirt, and lessening the dust buildup.