There are many features in your new home that you’ll need to make sure to become familiar with. From your air conditioning to your smoke detectors there is a lot to learn! Please take a look at the interior and exterior product information we have gathered to assist you in understanding how you’re new home features work. By learning how these products operate, you will be able to keep them working at their optimum efficiency for the maximum comfort in your new home.
Cracks and Squeaks in Your Home
Cracks & Squeaks in your home are normal. There are many different materials used in the construction of a home.
Most building materials are subject to expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity. This is especially true of all concrete and drywall. Due to this expansion, as well as the natural shrinkage which takes place at the time the material sets, it is inevitable that some cracks may appear in foundations, walks, driveways, porch floors, basement floors and steps, as well as dry-wall. These are natural occurrences beyond our control and the strength of the various items is in no way impaired.
The structural lumber in your home, which includes the trusses, the joists, studding, rafters and other framing members, has been selected in sizes and grades that provide a factor of safety over and beyond that which is necessary to carry the loads for which they are intended. Shrinkage in all wood is inevitable and occurs in the drying out period of the new home.
This shrinkage in the framing explains why certain moldings, trim around doors and windows, as well as baseboard and shoe molding sometimes seem to work out of their original position. Shrinkage can cause joints in the woodwork to open, doors to warp, cracks to appear in drywall, particularly around door and window openings, drywall arches and stairwells. This shrinkage can be minimized by maintaining a constant temperature in your home throughout the year, particularly during the first year.
Wood floors may squeak! Sub-floor adhesive and screws are used to anchor the sub-floor to the truss joints. Even with these precautionary measures, wood floors will always flex and can eventually squeak to some extent.
We hope this helps you understand a little more about your home!