For a new home warranty inspection in the Villages®, there are many common items that fall outside of the home warranty coverage, or may not be considered building code requirements.
Please note the following:
- Plumbing vent screen missing- screens on these plumbing roof vents are not a code requirement and are installed to the builders/roofers discretion. It is common to see homes with or without these screens and would not be sent through to install from a year-end report.
- Roof vents installed too close to the ridge- manufacturer installation instructions state to be located a minimum of 24 inches from the highest ridge, and no less than 6 inches from any other ridge peak. Anything that may fall outside of this standard should be included in the report, otherwise if within this tolerance it would not be considered a deficiency.
- Can lights in contact with insulation- the E7ICAT can lights we install are rated by the manufacturer for direct contact with insulation as they are thermally protected, and should not be included in a report. Please see attached specs from the manufacturer.
- Bathtub failed overflow test- Testing the overflow output while running the water would not be a proper assessment of the functionality of the unit.
- Hose bib anti-siphon valve leaking- these valves are designed to prevent water from reversing up the hose bib and into the water supply. The vacuum breaker has a check valve that allows water to flow in one direction only. When the water is turned off, the check valve closes and prevents water from flowing back into the hose bib. This will have some spray when shutting off the valve if a hose with a nozzle is attached due to pressure in the hose, therefore testing while attached to a pressure gauge or hose with a nozzle would not be considered the proper method. If the anti-siphon valve is leaking when turned on with out being under pressure this would be considered applicable to include for repair.
- Precast expansion joints- When reporting settlement cracks near this joint please include a close-up photo so we have the opportunity to see the location. Cracks within the joint do not require action, while those along the edge may be reviewed further and sent for repair/touch up.
- Self-closing hinges on entry doors- are no longer a requirement of the building code and would not be installed.
- Toilets installed on floating LVP flooring- would not be installed/tightened as you would see with other flooring material types without risking damage or minimizing the expansion/contraction to the flooring, and have been misinterpreted as loose in reports. We would ask that if the toilet is rocking with normal use, that is acceptable to be included and this should be noted in the description.
- Door frame openings caulking incomplete- the manufacturers installation instructions for the RevWood laminate flooring materials currently being used by our construction teams state that we are not to caulk any flooring materials to allow for proper expansion and contraction of t flooring. Moving forward you will no longer see caulking utilized on th flooring material.
- Front door and sidelight screw holes exposed- covers or caps would not be installed in these areas and would not be considered a deficiency. The thresholds are installed using Tapcon screws countersunk that would fasten the threshold to the concrete.
- GFCI outlets missing stickers- our electrical contractors have not foun where this is a requirement in writing per code. If you have supporting literature to this we would be open to review that with our teams, otherwise we do not install these stickers on the GFCI outlets.
- Caulking- after the homeowner’s buyer’s checklist submission the home warranty would only cover caulking in wet areas such as- around a toilet base, inside/around a tiled tub or shower, a sink to a counter top, and a countertop to a backsplash. Caulking in non-wet areas would be considered a part of regular home owner’s maintenance. Some examples of non-wet areas would be the cabinets to the wall, any trim or base board to the wall or floor, or the top of the backsplash to the wall. It is ok to include in your report if you are listing for the home owner’s knowledge, but please advise them this would not be a warranty item.
- Window glass coppering- please see the attached manufacturer information which outlines what would fall within acceptable guidelines under the warranty. If you find examples that would fall within this policy please include in your reports for further review by the installer.
