Solutions to common heating & air conditioning problems

Diamondback’s Home Runs Build More than Winning Scores

Fulton Homes’ Home Run Program Steps Up to the Plate to Support Local Charities

Arizona Diamondback fans have more than a stellar line-up to look forward to this season, because every cheer for a home run is a cheer for a great charity. With every homerun hit by the D-backs, Fulton Homes will donate $150 to be shared by the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association and the Youth Assistance Foundation with the Fulton Homes Home Run program.

Now in its fifth season, Fulton Homes has raised tens of thousands of dollars through the Fulton Homes Home Run program, which this year spans the entire regular season and will end with this year’s game against the LA Dodgers in early October.

Also known as the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Mountain Rescue team, the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association has a rich history of saving lives since its establishment in 1969, and is trained technically to perform search and rescue missions in the backcountry of Arizona. The Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office Youth Assistance Foundation works to prevent youth violence through efforts like the Explorer Program which allows 14-21 year-olds to become positively involved with law enforcement and the Sherriff’s Youth Boxing Team, which gives young men ages 8-18 a positive alternative to drugs and gangs.

The Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association and the Youth Assistance Foundation are just two of the many charitable causes supported by Fulton Homes, the Tempe-based homebuilder that has built a legacy upon community activism. Fulton Homes generously contributes over to Arizona communities, schools, and children.

“Fulton Homes recognizes the importance of building not only great homes for a community, but strengthening and supporting the community that lives in those homes, as well,” said Fulton Homes CEO Douglas Fulton. “Fulton Homes is proud of our D-Backs, and now we have even more reason to cheer on our team—every home run can now help someone in need here in the Valley of the Sun.”

Fulton Homes was founded in 1975 and grew to be one of the top homebuilders and family owned businesses in Arizona. During the past year, in the face of one of the worst housing markets in US history, Fulton Homes soldiered on in a market devastated by foreclosures and short sales. Fulton Homes, which offers many homes in the $116,500- $140,000 range, was the first homebuilder to highlight the downside of foreclosures in an informational advertising campaign. The online tool ForeclosureCostCalculator.com can be customized to fit the parameters of any foreclosed property, and analyze such factors as exterior paint, cabinets, and termites.

Selecting the products that will turn your house into a home can be a daunting process, a process that requires your time, creativity and commitment.  There are so many decisions to be made from flooring to countertops to other interior finish options and we’re sure that you have many questions.

We want to help prepare you for your appointment by providing you with the expectations, tips and guidelines that will enable you to make your selection process run smoother and be more enjoyable! Today’s post is about expectations for the process.

WHAT TO EXPECT

To begin with, you should expect to have a great appointment! This is one of the fun parts about buying a new home. It’s your opportunity to select the products that you like with the advice and guidance of a trained professional. What else could be better?

Just like every homebuyer is different, so is every homebuyer’s design appointment. Knowing what to expect before walking into your appointment will help you prepare.

Foe example, Fulton Homes Design Center is a 13,000 square foot facility right off of Warner Road east of the 1-10 in Tempe. At the center you’ll see thousands of choices of options such as Appliances, Cabinets, Flooring, Countertops, Structural Wiring, Window Coverings, Doors, Lighting, Electrical fixtures, ceiling fans, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, outdoor kitchens, garage systems, closet systems, and even fireplaces with plasma TV’s.

We realize that with this many option selections, in all of our homes; the Design Center process can be overwhelming. That’s why we have created the first on-line design center in Arizona. Our buyers can preview and even save options in their own home, well before their actual design center appointment.

When you initially purchase a Fulton Home, you are set up with a “MyFultonHome ” account, and with this account you can access almost all of the options that are available for your particular plan, in your community. With other builders, the sales associate will usually give you a 10 page listing of all of the options that are available, in some sort of code. Some may or may not have prices, so when you finally get to the Design Center you have to make many decisions in a relatively short period of time without much preparation. With Fulton Homes Online Design, you can view pictures, warranty information, descriptions, and prices for this vast array of customized touches for your new home.  Not only can you see what the price is for each option before you purchase, but the site will display how much that option is going to cost per month.  You can also compare options ensuring that your final selection is right for you. These options can be saved and prepared in advance of you appointment and the Design Consultant can review your saved items with you at the appointment. Upon completion of your appointment, your selections will be finalized.

At Fulton Homes, we believe your Design Center experience should provide you with adequate time to become confident and familiar with your choices. However it is vital to the construction process that selections be finalized at your meeting.  For this reason, it is in our mutual best interest that you utilize the significant preparation tools that we offer.

Your appointment may last just a few hours or may require two meetings. The time allotted is solely dependent on your available options and your personal decision process. Once again, preparation is the key. If you have questions prior to your Design Center appointment, please contact your Sales Associate.

Since you will be spending several hours making some permanent design selections, we ask to make child care arrangements and not bring children to the Design Center.

At your Fulton Homes Design Center appointment, you’ll meet with your Design Consultant.  He or she will briefly guide you through the process and review any items that you have saved on your Fulton Homes Design Online program. He or she will be your main contact throughout the appointment, although you will interface with subject matter experts in Cabinets, Appliances, and Structured wiring. These three areas can be so detailed and sometimes confusing, that Fulton Homes wanted to have experts in each of these areas available for all of our homebuyers.

Also, remember to bring your checkbook. A deposit will be required when you finalize your selections.

We hope this information helps you understand more about the Design Center process and how Fulton Homes handles this process. Stay tuned for more information about the Design Center Process.

The cabinets in your home are often a big investment. Like other big investments in your home, your  cabinets needs to be cared for.  Your cabinet fronts are made of finished hardwoods. With proper care, the beauty and utility of your cabinets will last for many years. Below is some information to help you properly care and maintain your cabinets.

• Remove splashes and splatters promptly to avoid permanent stains.
• The beauty of your cabinetry can be preserved by polishing with waxes or polishes formulated for furniture use. Lemon and orange oils are not recommended and whitewashed finishes require a non-yellowing wax or polish. You can contact the cabinet manufacturer by their web site for additional information.
• Minor scratches can be covered with a putty stick that matches the finish of your cabinets. (Putty sticks can be purchased at paint or hardware stores.)

The wood in your cabinets is a natural product. It is subject to drying and can warp. This could cause drawers to stick and prevent doors from closing properly. For Fulton homeowners, if you notice sticking drawers and cabinets doors that do not close properly during the warranty period, please notify the CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT on your “myfultonhome” web site. Maintenance of cabinet drawers and doors is the responsibility of the homeowner.

It should be noted that it is not unusual for the color of the installed cabinets to be different from samples shown at time of selection.

Color can differ with wood grain variation and stain used some color variation on stained areas is to be expected.

Cleaning Tips for Wood Finishes:

Dusting

Dust cabinets frequently with a soft lint-free cloth. You can dampen the cloth slightly with water or a spray-type dust remover.

Spills
Clean spills immediately. Use a clean cloth and mild soap if necessary. Wipe dry with a clean soft cloth.

Cleaning

There are a number of products available for your wood cleaning needs. See manufacturer recommendations for recommended cleaning products.

Polishing

We recommend that you wash and polish cabinets once or twice each year. See manufacturer recommendations for recommended polishing products.

Don’ts

Never use detergents, soap pads, or steel wool on your cabinetry. These harsh abrasives will mar the wood finish. Additionally, the manufacturer recommends that you avoid the use of paste wax and polishes that contain silicone; the wax build up is difficult to remove and will leave a residue that attracts dust.

Melamine and Vinyl

Periodically clean the interior surfaces of your cabinets. See manufacturer recommendations for cleaning products.

Glass Doors

You can use any commercial glass cleaner to clean the glass. Additionally, the glass can be cleaned while mounted on the door, or can be removed for better access.

While cleaning mounted glass, be careful not to damage the finish of the door and cabinet parts while cleaning.

To remove the glass panel, carefully loosen the screws and lift panel out. The door glass is tempered to resist chipping and shattering. However, all glass is fragile so handle carefully.

Do not spray glass cleaner directly onto glass or cabinet parts. Glass cleaner seeping into areas behind the mullions may discolor the wood. Instead, spray a small amount of cleaner onto a lint-free cloth or paper towel, then wipe the glass.

Fulton Homes 3-Point Zone

The Phoenix Suns continue to raise money at a record-breaking pace for Phoenix Suns Charities this season, as part of the Fulton Homes “Proud to Own 3-Point Zone.” Fulton Homes donates $150 for every 3-point field goal that the Suns make while playing on Fox Sports Arizona (FSAZ) this season.

The Suns, the league’s top 3-point shooting team (41 percent), have connected on 179 3-pointers (9.9/game) while playing on FSAZ this season, generating a total of $26,850 for Phoenix Suns Charities. If the club continues at that pace, a total of 328 3-point field goals will raise $49,200 for the organization, almost twice the $28,200 that was raised all of last season.

Phoenix Suns Charities is the cornerstone of the team’s foundation, making grants to non-profit organizations that serve children and youth in the areas of education, health and human services, the arts, sports and recreation, and rehabilitation. In the 22 years since its inception, Phoenix Suns Charities has donated over nine million dollars to worthy Arizona organizations.

Please leave us a comment if you would like to receive more information on this or other charities we participate in!

Every design decision is an opportunity not a problem. The trick is knowing how to approach each design situation.

To get you started, begin by reviewing your home’s floor plan and assess each of the different rooms. It is important to understand how each room in the house will function and the kinds of activities that will take place. You may use areas of your home for a specific function and it is important to match your interior to that intended purpose. Also, determine your home’s traffic patterns. High traffic areas typically include hallways, downstairs and upstairs, extended entryways and additional entrances to the home. Hard surface products are advisable in these high use areas and provide greater design flexibility for the connecting rooms.

Once you know how the room will be used, you can then determine what kind of mood and style the room will reflect. Should the room be soothing and elegant such as a master bedroom suite? Or should the room be stimulating and informal such as a family room?

Again, the kinds of activities that will take place and the amount of time spent in the room will help guide you in determining the mood.

Your next step is to create a furniture plan. Take measurements of your current furniture and any new pieces and determine in which rooms they will be placed. Then, arrange or draw your furniture on a scaled floor plan. Now that the furniture has been determined, a lighting plan can be designed.

The last step is to explore decorating schemes for your different rooms. Your Design Consultant can lend a trained and professional opinion, but it is important that you create schemes that are right for you.

We hope this information helps! Remember, this process is supposed to be fun, rewarding and a reflection of your personality and style!

Fulton Homes is a proud sponsor of the Phoenix Suns. Being the largest family owned homebuilder in Arizona, our local ties for organizations result in benefiting the community through charitable contributions. In addition to our sponsorship, we wanted to share with you some other community efforts.

The Phoenix Suns Wives organization has teamed up with Cold Stone Creamery to host their annual book drive through today Friday, March 26.

Fans that bring two or more new or gently used children’s or young adult books to any of the 50 Cold Stone Creamery locations valley wide through March 25 will receive a complimentary Like It Creation™ with one mix-in.

The book drive will then culminate at US Airways Center when the Suns take on the New York Knicks tonight. Fans who bring a book donation to the game will receive one raffle ticket per book donated. Winners will then be drawn to receive one of six raffle prizes that will be given away at the end of the game. Members of the Suns Wives will be collecting at each entrance of the arena. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Each prize package will represent a Suns star and feature an autographed jersey, a chance to meet a Suns player and a Cold Stone Creamery gift card. The six prize packages are:

• Leandro Barbosa package
• Channing Frye package
• Grant Hill package
• Steve Nash package
• Jason Richardson package
• Amar’e Stoudemire package

Following the book drive, more than 10 Valley non-profit organizations will arrive at US Airways Center at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30 to collect books for their programs. In previous years, more than 10,000 books were collected, which supply children in need with reading materials as part of the Suns Wives organization’s early literacy program.

The Suns Wives organization is comprised of the significant others of the players, coaches, basketball operations staff and senior management. The Suns Wives strive to make a difference in the lives of families and children by volunteering time, energy and resources to various charitable organizations throughout the Valley.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Ira A. Fulton—Founder and Owner

Born in Tempe, Arizona, in 1931, Ira grew up defining his own work ethic.  At age six, he became a dishwasher in his mother’s cafe.  He acquired his first “real” job as a newspaper courier at age eleven, eventually becoming the number one carrier for the Arizona Republic. Using this dogged mind-set, he elevated his sights to become his own best role model.

After attending Arizona State University on a football scholarship, then marrying Mary Lou Henson, Ira went to work for National Cash Register.  While there, he rose to the heights of National Salesman of the Year. From NCR, he formed his own companies, serving the computer needs of many corporations.

In 1974, Ira became a consultant for Eagleson’s Big and Tall men’s clothiers, in southern California.  Formed in 1867, Eagleson’s consisted of two retail outlets and was close to bankruptcy. Within two years, Ira purchased the company, turned it around, and expanded it to include 33 retail stores with sales in the multi-millions.   He was also involved in a wholesale buying group which grew to $225 million in gross revenue.

During this same time period, Ira formed Fulton Homes in his home state of Arizona.  With cash flow provided by his clothing business, he grew from building under 100 homes a year to the present annual volume exceeding 2000 residential units.  Quantity, however, is not Ira’s motivating factor.  Rather, his desire is to serve the needs of homeowners to the best of his ability.  He does this by providing a work-force of competent, caring people—those who select prospective neighborhoods, those who construct the homes, and those who work directly with potential homeowners.

Throughout his life, Ira has never viewed himself as competing with others.  Regardless of occupation, his sole objective has been to be better than his own past self.  With quality and integrity as his watchwords, he has worked tirelessly to present families with homes that “You’re Proud to Own, and We’re Proud to Build.”

The countertops in your home may be constructed of glazed ceramic tile, plastic laminate, granite stone slab, quartz stone slab, cultured marble or Corian. They are designed to provide years of use. Countertops are one of those items that after you have moved in, the care of your countertops is your responsibility. In order to properly maintain your countertops, we’d like to share some helpful information.

This post is a little longer than most, but it is designed to cover a variety of countertops so that you can scroll down and read the information that pertains to the countertop(s) in your home.

Basic tips and advice:

• Do not cut or chop with sharp objects or kitchen utensils. Always use a cutting board to protect your countertops when you prepare food. While minor scratches that result from cutting food may not be noticeable at first, in time they will dull and mar the luster of the finish. This can happen to even the hardest ceramic tile.
• Wipe up spills immediately. Some liquids, particularly hot ones, can cause almost imperceptible stains on ceramic tile grout and Formica or laminate countertops. In time, the stains can accumulate and become unsightly.
• Be careful to avoid dropping pots and pans and other kitchen items on your countertops. This can break or chip the counter’s surface.
• Protect the finished surface from hot items with a heat protector pad. Remember, they are heat retardant, not heat resistant.
• Countertops can be damaged by sitting on them. Excessive weight can cause warping, drawer malfunction or may cause the top to pull away from the wall.

Ceramic Tile

Glazed ceramic tile is known for its durability and the variety of colors and designs. Ceramic tiles are purchased in Dye lots that have the same texture and color. Because an exact replacement match of ceramic tile can be impossible, we urge you to take special care to avoid breaking or damaging the ceramic tile. Save any unused tile that you may have for future repairs.

Ceramic tile is brittle and can be broken by a sharp blow from a heavy object. The best way to avoid broken tiles is to use a cutting board and other protection for your ceramic tiles when you are at work in your kitchen. Wipe spills away promptly to avoid staining the grout. Warm soapy water, a detergent or a commercial tile cleaner can be used to keep your tile bright and shiny.

Grout Sealing: Water can penetrate grout seams and joints, and will damage materials adjacent to and underneath the tile. This occurs when excessive amounts of water are used during floor washing, or in the bathroom from splashes and spills from the showers, tubs, and sinks. The grout and tile installer will apply a silicone based grout sealer before close of escrow to reduce staining, mildew, and water penetration. Because the grout between the tiles is porous, you may want to consider sealing the grout once a year or so. This will prevent stubborn stains from penetrating the grout and becoming unsightly. Routine scrubbing of the grout with warm soapy water will keep it clean and fresh. Cleaners that are to strong can stain the grout. See manufacturer recommendations for sealing products. Sealers and cleaners can be found at your local hardware store and should be used following manufacturers guidelines.

The seams, joints, and sealers are not waterproof, and require proper maintenance to prevent water seepage and damage of materials adjacent to and underneath the tile. Inspect these areas frequently and apply a silicone caulk to the joint as needed.

Note: Fulton Homes cannot ensure that ceramic tile repairs requiring new material will match the color of the existing tile material or colored grouting. Color variations are normal.

Cultured Marble and Granitex

Cultured marble/Granitex is a modern product, which adds style to your bathrooms. The manufacturers have instituted as many procedures as practical to insure a consistent product. Listed below are several characteristics that are beyond the manufacturers control.

Hairline Scratches: Whether inward or outward, they are considered normal, and customer maintenance is recommended to buff these scratches out as necessary.

Irregular Granite or Color: For each square foot of marble an exact percentage of pigment is added. Although they may be disbursed in a wide range of graining, this effect gives each product a character of its own. The manufacturer cannot control the results of either color or graining.

Gel Coat: Gel coat, the outermost skin is prone to varying degrees of inconsistencies:

1. Orange peel effect, caused by temperature of drying.
2. Ripple effect caused by shrinkage.
3. Stress marks, which are also cause by shrinkage.
4. Dimples, caused by impurities in the chemicals or catalyst.

Thermal Shock: Rapid changes of temperature from 5 ° F to 70° F may cause cracking. Keeping marble at room temperature (65° F to 80° F) and controlling water heater temperature to approximately 120° F can control this effect.

Yellowing: The yellowing of cultured marble/granite is an inherent property of the product. As part of the normal aging process, cultured marble/granitex will yellow. There are some determining factors that do affect this process. The thinner materials, such as shower panels, are more susceptible to discolor @ an accelerated rate. Cultured marble/granitex installed in a secondary bath, which tends to be darker than the main bath, tends to discolor at an accelerated rate. Naturally bright-light baths tend to decelerate the process. **Stationary objects (IE: ceramic tooth brush holders, planters, tissue paper holders, towels) must be moved periodically to eliminate yellowing from underneath the object.

Proper maintenance of cultured marble is similar to the maintenance needs of fine wood. Remove spills immediately to avoid stains. The lacquer contained in most hair sprays can damage the surface coating of cultured marble tops. Do not use abrasive cleansers on your cultured marble countertops or marble bath panels. Most food and drinks are acidic and can etch the finish on the marble. Do not place any items, which may scratch the surface directly onto the countertop.

Routine care of cultured marble countertops requires warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. If the surface of your cultured marble countertops becomes dull, you might consider having the marble polished by a professional who specializes in marble polishing.

Add caulk as necessary from shrinkage or settling. Use latex caulking were cultured marble/Granitex meets the walls, and silicone caulking where culture marble/Granitex meets culture marble/Granitex (joints).

Apply polishing products as directed by the manufacturer of the product to prevent hard water build-up, reduce scratching and to maintain luster. It allows quick and complete water run off. See manufacturer recommendations for recommended polishing products.

Avoid gritty abrasive cleaners (any dry powder cleaners), bleaches or acetone based nail polish. Use only mild liquid cleaners.

Hand wipe or buff any scratches incurred during normal use with similar paste wax using a feathering method.

Items NOT to be used or placed on marble:

1. Razor blades to remove any foreign material.
2. Cigarettes placed on any edge or surface.
3. Any acetone based cleaners or other acetone based liquids.
4. Old style Polaroid negatives, including curing lotion.

Corian Solid Surfaces

Corian® was created for a lifetime of easy care. Just follow the simple guidelines listed here to keep your Corian® surfaces looking as fresh as the day they were installed. Your care and maintenance kit will provide you with the tips and tools to help you enjoy your new Corian® top for years to come. To download a PDF version of Corian® Care and Maintenance tips go on-line to www.corian.com

Routine Care

Typically, three types of countertop finishes that are used: matte/satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. Most countertops are finished with a matte/satin finish. All sinks have a matte finish. However, routine cleaning may raise the gloss level of the countertop over time. Soapy water, ammonia-based cleaners (Not window cleaners) or commercially available solid surface cleaners will remove most dirt and residue from all types of finishes. See manufacturer recommendations for recommended cleaning products.

Stubborn residue will require a little stronger cleaner. Follow the product recommendations to properly clean your countertop and sinks.

With over 100 colors and varying hues, some colors may appear to require more frequent cleaning to maintain their beauty. Darker colors tend to show fine scratches more easily and will require more attention than lighter colors. Over time through care and use your countertop will acquire a patina, changing the appearance of the finish. You may restore the look of the original finish by following the refurbishing guidelines per the manufacturer recommendations.

Cleaning All Finishes

• Most dirt & residue: Use soapy water or ammonia based cleaner (not window cleaners), rinse and wipe dry.
• Preventing hard water marks: Wipe countertop dry after spills or cleaning.
• Removing hard water marks: Use an over-the-counter cleaner formulated for hard water marks that is recommended by the manufacturer.
• Difficult residue: Spray residue with Deep Cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Follow instructions on cleaner bottle. If residue persists, repeat process. If residue still persists, follow directions for removing scratches.
• Disinfecting: Occasionally, wipe surface with diluted household bleach (1 part water/1 part bleach). Rinse top thoroughly with water and wipe dry.

Sinks & Lavatories

• Cleaning: Follow procedures above and see manufacturer recommendations for recommended sink cleaning products.
• Disinfecting: Occasionally fill sink 1/4 full with diluted household bleach (1 part water/1 part bleach). Let stand for 15 minutes, and then wash sides and bottom as solution drains. Rinse sinks with water.

CAUTION

• DO NOT get bleach solution in eyes or on bare skin. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions.
• Over-the-counter cleaners recommended by the manufacturer may be used for routine cleaning in place of soap and water.
• To enhance the gloss level on semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes, use a countertop polish. See manufacturer recommendations for recommended countertop polishing products.

Preventing Heat Damage

Corian® is an excellent material for heat resistance. As with all countertop materials, it is important to minimize direct heat exposure to protect your surface and investment. Always use heat trivets or hot pads when placing hot objects on any surface. Allow cookware to cool before placing them into a Corian® sink.

Preventing Other Damage

In most cases Corian® can be repaired if accidentally damaged. However, be sure to follow the guidelines here to prevent any permanent damage to Corian®.

• Avoid exposing Corian® to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water.
• Do not cut directly on Corian® countertops.
• Boiling water alone will not damage your Corian® sink, however it’s a good practice to run your faucet while pouring boiling water into your sink.

Removing Minor Cuts and Scratches

Because the solid beauty of Corian® goes all the way through, Corian® surfaces are completely renewable. You can remove minor cuts and scratches yourself by following the manufacturer recommended procedures.

Sources for materials mentioned above:
*For large defects and repairs or for complete routine professional refurbishing service, contact your local Corian® sales expert.

Granite and Quartz Slabs

Granite/quartz countertops are beautiful, durable and easy to care for. With the proper care, your granite/quartz countertop will stay new-looking for years. Stone is one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. These care instructions are designed to assist you in their day to day care to ensure your tops are maintained to retain their radiant, lustrous appearance for many years.

Cleaning

There is nothing inherent in granite/quartz stone that will cause stains. Stains are always from exterior causes and usually are organic, oil or rust related. Identifying the cause of the stain is the key to removing it. Remove a stain on granite/quartz, basing the method depending on the type of stain. Blot up spills immediately, before they penetrate the surface.

Follow the manufacturer recommendations for recommended granite and quartz cleaning products to remove:

• Coffee, tea, or fruit stains

• Ink or marker stains

• Wine, ink or other non-oil stains

• Oil-based or fat-based stains

Maintenance

Granite only: The manufacturer recommends that you re-apply granite surface sealers as needed (minimum of annually). Follow the manufacturer recommendations for recommended granite and quartz sealing products. These granite sealers are available at local building supply stores. Follow the manufacturers recommended application procedures listed on the container. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite. NOTE: You do not need to use a sealer on Quartz stone surfaces.

If you do not maintain a quality seal on your granite, you encourage possible stains. Without the seal, granite is porous and will absorb moisture. This is an inherent characteristic of natural stone. Some granite is less dense or more absorbent than others.

Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat.

Ask a professional to remove or repair a scratch in granite/quartz.

General Information

Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface.

Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that could scratch the surface.

Please Note: The seams in granite/quartz slab countertops may vary in placement from that of a model home or your neighbor’s home. This is due to the size of the slabs you may have selected and the natural stability of the slab.

Please Note: Granite/quartz slabs are selected to best match those samples seen and are a natural material and will never match the color, grain and texture samples seen or those in the model or existing homes.

Warnings:

• Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on granite/quartz countertops. Strong detergents, bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, tub & tile cleaners or corrosive liquids can dull the polished surface and should not be used.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers, scouring powders, or ‘soft’ cleansers.
• Do not cut on your granite/quartz countertops, use a cutting board!
• Do not mix cleaning products such as ammonia and bleach together – the result is toxic.
• Do not stand or kneel on your countertops to reach high objects.

Plastic Laminate

Your kitchen countertop and laundry may be made of plastic laminate. It is constructed of a thin sheet of hard plastic that is laminated onto a wooden base. It is important that you not break the bond of the two materials. Keep standing water away from the back splash, seams, and the seal around the sink. These areas are prone to water damage, since excessive moisture eventually will break down the seal and cause swelling or delaminating. Check seams periodically and re-caulk as necessary. Do not place hot pans directly on the counter’s surface. They will scorch the surface.

Laminate may be stained by the inks used to mark grocery products, especially meat and produce. These can be difficult to remove, so we suggest that you avoid these items directly on the countertops.

Protect your countertops against appliances that generate heat IE (coffee makers, electric skillets/fry pans, etc) especially at mitered seam areas.

Clean with liquid detergents only. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Follow the manufacturer recommendations for recommended laminate cleaning products.

Absolutely no cutting or chopping on counters regardless of patterns! Use of a cutting board is highly recommended.

DO NOT place any hot objects directly on you countertops. This includes but is not limited to; hot plates, skillets, irons, and frying pans.

DO NOT place your dish strainer or a towel for air drying dishes over any mitered seams. The excessive moisture over time can penetrate the seam and cause water damage and delaminating will occur!

DO NOT apply excessive weight on the laminate tops. This can cause cracking of the tops and seams.

Keep standing water away from the back splash, seams, and the seal around the sink. These areas are prone to water damage, since excessive moisture will eventually break down the seal and cause swelling and delaminating. Due to shrinkage and settling check outer edges and backsplash seams periodically and re-caulk with latex caulk as necessary.

The seams of your counter have been treated with a “seam fill” product, but you should not allow water to stand on the seam. The water can penetrate the seam causing it to buckle. To help prevent this, the manufacturer suggests that you use paraffin wax on the seams as part of your routine maintenance. Your local hardware store or home center can advise you on the proper product.

Warranty Caution: Review and follow the countertop manufacturers cleaning and care recommendations.

It is important to maintain your home so that it stays in the same great shape as it was when it was new. Below are some home maintenance suggestions we’d like to share with you in order to help keep your home in the best possible shape. Following these suggestions can save you from costly repairs if items are neglected.

Every Month

* Wood Cabinets – Dust cabinets with a soft lint-free cloth. You can dampen the cloth slightly with water or a spray-type dust remover.
* Furnace/Air Conditioning – Inspect filters for dust. Clean and replace filters monthly.
* Plumbing – Check under kitchen and bathroom cabinets for leaks. Tighten fittings carefully. Check the area around the hot water heater for leaks.
* Kitchen Exhaust Fan – Remove and clean the filter. Clean accumulated grease deposits from the fan housing.
* Faucet Aerators – Check for proper flow of water. If the flow is reduced, clean aerator screens. During the first two months, the faucet aerators could require more frequent cleaning.
* Perimeter Inspection – Look for evidence of termites on or near your foundation.

Every 2 Months

* Exterior Doors – Lubricate hinges and locks as required. Inspect finish for cracks and peeling. Use touch-up paint or varnish where required.

Every 3 Months

* Interior Doors – Lubricate hinges.
* Garage Door – Lubricate hardware. Inspect mechanism for free travel. Adjust if necessary.

Every 6 Months

* Kitchen Tile Grout – Inspect for loose or missing grout. Re-grout if necessary. Re-caulk at the edge of the backsplash if necessary.
* Tiled Areas – Inspect caulked areas for missing or damaged caulking. Re-caulk if necessary.
* Shower Doors – Inspect for proper fit. Adjust if necessary. Inspect caulking and re-caulk if necessary.
* Tub Enclosures – Inspect for proper fit. Adjust if necessary. Inspect caulking and re-caulk if necessary.
* Front Doors – Repaint if necessary. Consult your Homeowner Association regulations before you change the exterior paint color of your doors.
* Gutters – Clean debris from gutters every six months and after storms.

Every 12 Months

* Exterior Paint – Inspect for cracked or peeling paint. Repair and repaint if necessary. Consult your Homeowner’s Association regulations before you change any exterior paint colors. Southern and Western exposures are especially subject to peeling and cracking. Inspect these areas twice each year. Repaint as necessary.

Painting Repair Note: Painting repairs requiring new material will often NOT match the color of the existing material. Paint repairs may show slight variations in color as a result of weathering, aging, or pigment variations in different paint manufacturing runs. Color variations are normal.

* Roof – Inspect for damaged tiles or accumulated debris after storms and high winds. An annual inspection by roofing professional is recommended.

* HVAC System – We recommend an inspection by a heating professional every year. ?

Please review this list of home maintenance suggestions as often as you like. This information will be available right here on the Fulton Homes blog whenever you need it.