There are few purchases that you will make during your lifetime that are more valuable than your house. Whether it’s a starter residence or your forever home, you want to make sure you protect and maintain it properly.
Our home warranty explains that regular homeowner maintenance is essential to protecting your home. A warranty doesn’t cover issues caused by neglect—so if small problems are left to grow into bigger ones, the responsibility falls on the homeowner. Staying on top of upkeep now can help avoid costly repairs later that won’t be covered.
While some aspects of home maintenance can be almost instinctual and performed without much fuss, there are tasks that may require a bit more research and implementation. A crucial component of your home requires you to, quite literally, start from the ground up - your hardwood flooring. Homeowners are more frequently turning to hardwood over carpeting as it can be both more aesthetically pleasing as well as a wise investment in the long run. Put in hardwoods, and if you take care of them, you’ll never have to install new flooring in your home again. But caring for your hardwood flooring is a multifaceted task, and one which a large number of homeowners may not properly understand. Below, we outline a basic maintenance schedule then delve into a few more specific aspects of care.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning Maintenance Schedule
Sweep or dust mop: Daily
Vacuum (using the bare floor setting): Weekly
Clean with wood flooring cleaner: Monthly
Apply a new coat of finish or maintenance coat: Every 3 to 5 years
Sand and refinish: Every few decades
Do’s & Don’ts for Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Do:
- Clean any spills immediately and ensure the floors are dry. Water can damage hardwoods.
- Consider a shoe-free policy. Even a small amount of sand or grit can cause damage to the finish.
- Use only cleaning solutions specifically made for hardwood floors.
- Maintain a consistent indoor temperature and humidity level in your home to avoid hardwood damage.
- Clean up pet accidents promptly.
- Consider rearranging rugs and furniture occasionally or using light blocking curtains, especially in sun-drenched rooms. Hardwoods will change color based on exposure to the sun.
- Use throw rugs at all entryways and protective felt pads on the feet of chair and furniture legs to prevent scratching the floors.
Don’t:
- Allow dirt to accumulate on your floors; it can act like sandpaper and wear down the finish.
- Let standing water sit. Even a stray ice cube can cause floors to warp or become discolored.
- Steam clean your hardwoods. The excessive heat and moisture can damage the flooring.
- Use harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, oil soaps, and vinegar on your floors.
- Wax or polish your hardwoods. It can build up and create a cloudy film over your floors.
- Use plastic or nonporous mats, like for underneath dog bowls or those waffle-like pads for under rugs. These surfaces hold the water against the floor, causing discoloration and staining.
Ways to Ace Hardwood Floor Cleaning
Flooring experts recommend taking special care when doing these three activities to clean hardwood floors:
- Sweeping and Vacuuming
Regular sweeping or vacuuming can keep hardwoods clean, but avoid using standard vacuums with beater bars, or brushrolls, on hardwood surfaces. Some vacuums allow you to turn off the brushroll setting. Another option is to choose a vacuum specifically made for hardwood floors. - Mopping
There’s a right way and a wrong way to mop your wood flooring. Because water can damage hardwoods, using a wet mop and leaving water residue behind is not a good strategy. Also, avoid steam mops, which apply pressure that forces moisture into the wood. That can lead to swelling and warping over time. Instead, “dry mop,” using a microfiber mop, along with a spray cleaner that is specifically made for hardwood floors. - Using Cleaning Solutions
Be selective about the cleaning solutions you use on your hardwood flooring. For example, vinegar — a favorite in house cleaning — is acidic and can penetrate the wood and leave streaks. Instead, opt for mild, pH-neutral cleaners that are designed specifically for hardwood flooring. Look for the words “hardwood cleaner” on the bottle or ask professional flooring companies for suggestions. Always test new products in small, hidden areas of the floor before spreading it elsewhere.
Treating Damage on Hardwood Floors
Minor scratches may occur on just the top-layer finish rather than in the wood itself. In that case, the scratches can often be repaired with touch-up markers, stain pens, and furniture repair kits. You can also rub the natural oils from a walnut or pecan over the scuff marks to help darken the wood and disguise the scratches. A tennis ball or a little baking soda on a damp cloth may help remove scuff marks. For deeper scratches, you may need a wood filler that matches the color of your floor. As an alternative, you can have your floors restained or refinished.
When to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors
If your floors are looking dull, you may be tempted to reach for polish as a fix. That can be a big mistake. In general, avoid using any products on your hardwoods with words like “polish,” “shine,” or “rejuvenate;” it’s a short-lived reward. It can dull very quickly and then leave a cloudy film on your floors. The only way to revive dull-looking floors is to have them lightly buffed and then apply a fresh coat of polyurethane wood finish on top.
For deeper scratches, dents, or damage to your hardwoods, you may need to have the floors completely sanded back to the raw wood and refinished. The cost to refinish hardwoods averages nearly $2,000, but the price can vary greatly. If you want a new look, refinishing also allows you to change the stain color of your hardwood.
Keep in mind, wood types vary in how often they can be refinished or how prone they are to scratching. For example, hardwood flooring’s durability and hardness are measured on a Janka scale, a rating of how susceptible the wood is to denting or showing wear. The higher the rating, the more resistant the wood will be to dents and wear and tear. In general, softwoods like pine tend to have lower Janka scales; hardwoods like hickory and Brazilian teak or walnut usually resist scratches and damage.
The number of times hardwoods can be refinished varies. For example, engineered wood flooring — a popular type of wood flooring — often can be refinished only one to three times, since the top layer is wood but underneath it is plywood. Hardwoods that have a wear layer that’s thinner than 2 millimeters, for example, may not be ideal for sanding. You may be able to refinish solid hardwood flooring 10 or more times, depending on the floor’s thickness.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning Affects Lifespan
The lifespan of hardwood flooring is one of the longest of any household material, possibly extending to 100 years or more. The lifespan greatly depends on you, however, and how well you care for the flooring. The importance of maintenance cannot be overstated.
You know homebuyers. They always have lots of questions. And not only just for you but they want to know about the products you used in their home. Below are many of the questions we get on a regular basis about the warranty you are providing with the homes you build. We just thought you should know in case any of these questions come up in your own conversations with your customers. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
What is the value of an RWC warranty to my homebuyers?
- An RWC warranty provides insured, written coverage on various items for a specific period of time.
- Third party assistance to resolve customer service issues is available under all of our programs.
- Homeowners receive a clearly written warranty document spelling out exactly what is and is not covered.
- The resale value of your buyer’s home is increased when our warranty is transferred to the next owner.
- Homeowners have assurance that assistance is available if a covered item is defective.
- Builders wishing to use RWC or an Affiliate’s warranty must demonstrate technical competence, financial stability and ethical business dealings with their customers. Knowing that your builder is a member of one of our programs is assurance that these standards have been met or exceeded.
- The average cost to repair a structural failure exceeds $30,000. Having a warranty in place means that covered structural components will be repaired without causing you or your homeowner serious financial hardship.
- There is a greater likelihood of a major structural defect developing in a home than there is a fire which causes major damage. Homeowners probably have insurance to protect against fire damage. Why not be protected from structural failures as well?
What exactly is covered under my warranty?
RWC and Affiliates have over 75 different warranty options. So the answer to this question depends on which warranty was placed on the home. Coverage varies depending on the program selected by the Builder and the state in which the home is located. Refer to the warranty book received at closing for exact coverage and warranty terms.
How does a homeowner start the claims process?
The specific procedures to address a potential defect in a home are spelled out in the warranty book. The homeowner must send written documentation either by email to RWC at warranty.resolution@rwcwarranty.com or via certified mail, return receipt requested in order to initiate this process. We do not accept telephone or fax requests at this time.
What are mediation and arbitration?
RWC knows that, in the majority of cases, the root of many disputes is the lack of communication between a builder and a homeowner. Sometimes, all it takes to get an issue resolved is someone to take on the role of mediator and assist the others in coming to a fair and reasonable agreement, based on the warranty standards provided. Prior to heading to formal arbitration or costly litigation, RWC does its best to mediate disputes between Members and Homeowners.
Arbitration is a formal process conducted by an independent, neutral arbitrator to resolve disputes between two or more parties. In the case of our warranty programs, RWC uses arbitrators experienced in arbitrating residential construction matters. Unless prohibited by law, the decision of the arbitrator under our programs is binding on all parties, including the homeowner as well as the builder.
Your buyer has questions about the paperwork received regarding their home’s enrollment (duplicate book, incorrect information on Application for Warranty, etc). How do they contact RWC?
For questions regarding the Application for Warranty Form or any other Enrollment Paperwork issue, the homeowner may contact our main office at 717-561-4480 or click here and fill out our information request form.
The last couple decades have seen dramatic changes in the relationship between builders and their customers. A generation ago construction defect litigation rarely affected builders. In many jurisdictions, the old legal maxim caveat emptor, or “let the buyer beware”, applied to the sale of new homes. Twenty-first-century American society has turned that principle on its head. A more accurate watchword in these times is caveat builder or “let the builder beware” of litigious homeowners and plaintiffs' attorneys bent on making a lucrative monetary recovery in court for every perceived defect in every new home.
Residential construction litigation has increased in frequency and expense dramatically in the past two decades and exponentially in the past few years. Homeowners recover hundreds of millions of dollars from builders every year, and a typical settlement of a condominium association claim is not measured in thousands of dollars, but in millions of dollars.
A recent study revealed that more than half of all homeowner claims are about actual work performed in the building of the house and not about design, materials or maintenance. These complaints can create logistical headaches for builders and can lead to litigation that is expensive and tends to distract builders from their primary focus of building and selling homes. Express home warranties reduce the work, anxiety, and expense of these kinds of claims by spelling out the rights and remedies of the parties and by providing for arbitration, a quick and relatively inexpensive method for resolving disputes.
Arbitration provisions in express warranties provide that mutually agreed upon, neutral arbitrators hear the evidence from the parties and determine, without passion or prejudice for either side, who owes what to whom. Because most arbitration services have streamlined procedures, and because there are no juries for whom the lawyers must “dramatize” the case, arbitrations often result in less expense and reduced animosity between the parties.
In today's world, there is no reason why builders or homeowners should beware of dealing with each other after the settlement on a new home. If a builder provides his customer with an express warranty administered by a neutral third party, such as a new home builder warranty by RWC, both the builder and the homeowner can enjoy peace of mind because they have a clear and written description of how the home should perform and a quick, fair, and inexpensive process for resolving any disputes that might arise. All of RWC's warranty programs include out effective warranty resolution process which includes mediation and, if needed, formal arbitration.
If you need information on the procedures and/or rates to enroll ALL your building projects (remodeling, commercial, detached garages, condominiums, townhomes, etc.) with RWC to provide yourself with the most warranty protection available, contact your Account Executive at 800-247-1812, Ext 2149.
As the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. Of course, everyone wants the promise of a great return-on-investment (ROI) on home renovations, but not all projects will yield a lofty payout. Decisions today can make or break a sale years down the road. So how does one choose which projects to tackle? Real estate guru Homeadvisor.com states these are the top five remodeling projects that will give homeowners the best bang for their buck:
FIBERGLASS INSULATION: 107.7% ROI: New insulation isn't exactly #1 on a home owner's to-do list, but those puffy sheets of energy efficiency will warm wallets with long-lasting savings. Insulation may not be pretty to look at, but it saves money and improves comfort.
ENTRY DOOR REPLACEMENT: 90.7% ROI: Secure and attractive! A quality steel door is a great choice for a home upgrade, plus it provides extra security and prevents unwanted drafts.
MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER: 89.4% ROI: Cheaper than natural options, engineered stone siding will give a home the revival it deserves while keeping the budget in mind. And as a bonus, today's fabricated products look just like the real thing! Natural stone also tends to put stress on the frame and foundation, so it's a win-win for this lighter alternative.
GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT: 85% ROI: Not only an aesthetic renovation, replacing the garage door also serves other purposes such as improved security and energy efficiency. A fresh design will surely give the home's exterior a boost in curb appeal.
MINOR KITCHEN REMODEL: 80.2% ROI: Small kitchen remodels ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 boasts a favorable return. Kitchens tend to be the hub of the home, so it only makes sense to make it work in your favor. Whether simple changes or reflowing the layout -- improving the design and usability of the space will pack a punch.
While much of the country is experiencing a healthy resurgence in home building, what is also going strong is the market for additions and renovations. For many reasons, today’s homeowners are still very likely to consider remodeling their home. For those handymen and women that are up to the challenge, tackling home improvement projects on their own can be a very rewarding experience. On the other hand, for many average Americans, DIY isn’t an acronym on their resume. Whether it’s an expanding family that needs more space or a frightfully outdated avocado green kitchen that begs for a facelift, homeowners will be scouting out professionals to get the job done.
According to economists, the current demand for home-improvement is healthy. Per the latest Remodeling Index, remodeling activity nationwide has continued to grow and is projected to keep rising. Demographics tend to play a big role in future prosperity. As baby boomers retire, the likelihood of first floor bedrooms and bathrooms or wider doorways and hallways become a reality. On the other end of the spectrum, housing affordability may sway millennials’ decision to purchase older existing homes that will command renovations. And lest we forget Mother Nature. In the wake of the tragic flooding and hurricane-ravaged areas, countless homes have been compromised. It may be too early to tell what type of impact these storms will have on the marketplace, but rebuilding and renovating will not be a piece of cake.
How does your business fit into this niche? If you’ve been focusing solely on new home construction and haven’t given much thought to remodeling, perhaps now is the time to investigate. Could it be that you are in a position to aid in the recovery of storm-affected areas? Or simply think forward to January or February. For half of the country, the cold, winter months are right around the corner and new construction may wane. Several home improvement projects may be just the thing to fill in the gaps.
Ready to kick it up a notch? Why not check out the RWC Remodeler Warranty? Having a written warranty effectively reduces misunderstandings that can result from a verbal agreement and a handshake with clients. With RWC’s insurance backed protection, homeowners can be confident that you are a top-notch craftsman and that their remodeling project is a worthy investment.
Did you know that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the Uni
ted States? In fact, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year; and asthma affects more than 25 million. How do you, as a builder, tackle the respiratory issue from the ground up? Clean "healthy" homes are becoming mainstream and it is where homebuyers are turning in order to combat some of these problems.
The urge for wellness is compelling, however, building a healthy home can be a catch 22. While trying to prevent outdoor pollution and pollen from sneaking inside due to drafts and leaks, a home that is too airtight can actually be more tainted. Energy-efficient, well-sealed homes can trap chemicals and other irritants.
There are several factors to contemplate when trying to find that perfect balance of air quality. If healthy building standards are important to your buyers, consider these points when strategizing materials, schedules, and budgets.
• Conduct third-party certified air-quality tests to assess the particulates, then improve upon those numbers.
• Provide balanced ventilation to distribute and filter air properly. By keeping air changes to a minimum, drafty corners of homes will stay free of dust and will ensure fresh air is circulated throughout the home.
• Carbon monoxide is odorless and fatal, so it’s essential to install CO2 detectors on every floor.
• To decrease the problems from chemicals being emitted from new building materials, use as many natural products as possible. For example, select cabinets made of real wood or choose solid surface kitchen countertops such as slate, granite, or marble. This eliminates the adhesives associated with laminates.
• Taking the proper precautions to prevent mold growth is a no-brainer. Exterior insulation will warm the exterior sheathing so that the inside face of the sheathing does not become a condensing surface. Condensation in the walls means moisture which may lead to structural issues in the future. It’s also important to properly flash exterior penetrations, windows, and the roof to move water away from the home. Once water finds its way in, the home is no longer truly healthy.
• And last but not least, take pride in your work and keep a clean worksite. Clients want transparency, so by snapping a few photos of wall cavities that are free of sawdust and dirt reinforces your integrity and commitment to a healthy home.