Twenty-five years building quality custom homes

Delivery Systems

Air Conditioning Tips

Heating System Tips

Plumbing Tips

Gas Shut Off

Air Conditioning Tips

Air conditioning can add to the comfort of your home but if used improperly, it can result in wasted energy and improper cooling. To help you maximize your air conditioning system, we offer the following suggestions:

• Your air conditioner is a closed system, which means that the interior air is continually recycled and cooled until the desired air temperature is reached. You need to help your air conditioning system by closing your drapes to keep direct sun light out and keep doors and windows shut.
   

• If you come home at 5:30 p.m. on a day when the temperature has reached 90 degrees, and set your thermostat to 75 degrees, the air conditioning unit will begin cooling, but will take a long time to reach the desired temperature. At 5:30 p.m., the air conditioning unit will start cooling the air, but the walls carpet and furniture release heat and nullify this cooling. It may be hours before the air conditioning unit has cooled the walls, carpet and furniture.
   

• If no one is home during the day, you should set the air conditioner to a moderate temperature before leaving, allowing the unit to maintain the cooler temperature through the day. Then lower the setting slightly further when you arrive home. Setting the thermostat at 60 degrees will NOT cool the home any faster and can result in the unit "freezing up" and not performing at all, which can damage the unit.
   

• Be sure to adjust the cooling vents to maximize air flow to occupied parts of the home.
   

• If your air conditioner does not operate properly even after you have followed the above guidelines and the manufacturer's warranty booklet, please contact the Customer Service Department. Remember that you will be responsible for paying the service call unless the problem is warranted.

Heating System Tips

Good maintenance of the furnace can save energy dollars as well as prolong the life of your furnace. Carefully read the Manufacturer's Warranty Booklet, and remember to change the filter monthly during the heating season. If you find yourself with no heat, the following may identify the cause; also review the Manufacturer's Warranty Booklet for help. These are normal homeowner maintenance items. If your heating contractor makes a service call to turn on a switch, replace a fuse or reset a breaker, you will be obligated to pay a service charge.

• Thermostat temperature setting and switches<
  

• The ON/OFF switch in the furnace room
  

• The fuse, if your furnace has one
  

• ON/OFF switch on furnace–check the Manufacturer's Booklet for location.

• Breaker on the electrical panel

• Safety switch for the fan cover If none of the above are the cause of the problem, please call our Warranty Service Department, but remember, only problems caused by an installation error would be warranted. The furnace is warranted by the manufacturer.

Please refer to the manufacturer's booklet for proper use and maintenance instructions.

Plumbing Tips

To ensure against plumbing problems, observe the following guidelines:

• Many plumbing clogs are caused by improper garbage disposal use. Always use plenty of cold water when running the disposal. Allow the water to run 10 to 15 seconds after shutting off the disposal.

• If you decide to finish the basement, care should be taken in doing so to insure that the plumbing lines are not isolated from the heat source.

• Provided your home is heated at a normal level, pipes should not freeze. Heat should be set at 65 degrees at the least when you're away during winter months. If temperatures are below normal, you should open cupboards to allow heat to the pipes and let faucets drip to keep from freezing.

• Outside faucets must be shut off during freezing weather and the hose removed.

• In the event of a leak or broken pipe, shut off water to that fixture as soon as possible and call a plumber. Each sink and commode has a shut off for its water supply or use the main water shut off if necessary.

• Lines installed for sprinkler systems are the responsibility of the Homeowner.

• If your water supply stops completely, first check the water shut off at the front of the house or garage. Next, check the water meter shut off to confirm the service has not been shut down in your area. If this is not the problem, please call our Warranty Service Department.

PLEASE NOTE: Having to shut off the water to an isolated item in the home (such as one toilet) is not an emergency. If it is a warrantable problem, submit it to our Warranty Service Department in accordance with normal procedures.

Plumbing Performance Standards

All plumbing fixtures, toilets, lavatories, tubs, sinks, etc. should be checked carefully at the time of your walk-through inspection.  Chips which appear in fixtures after move-in that are not reported on the walkthrough inspection report are subject to inspection by the manufacturer and/or the Customer Service Department to determine if damage is a result of material flaw prior to repair/replacement.

McKim Homes warrants the plumbing delivery system to be free from defective materials and workmanship for a period of two years, with the exception of the following conditions which are covered under this warranty for a period of 1 year from date of move-in:

 Dripping Faucets:

Dripping faucets will be serviced when reported during the first 90 days after move-in.  Servicing beyond that time will be considered normal homeowner maintenance.

  Plumbing Stoppage:

Drain stoppage in toilets, sinks, tubs, or showers will be serviced under this warranty when reported during the first 90 days after move-in.  Servicing beyond that time will be considered normal homeowner maintenance.

 Clogged Toilet Trap:

Clogged traps will be serviced under this warranty when reported during the first 30 days after move-in.  Servicing beyond that time will be considered normal homeowner maintenance.

Clogged traps are usually cleared easily with a ‘plumber's helper' (a rubber suction cup).  Commercial caustic products for this purpose are also effective.  If strong caustic is used, be sure to protect your hands and clothing, and wash off any that may be spilled.

This limited warranty may be voided if the plumbing equipment or any part thereof has been subjected to accident, alteration or abuse.

 Gas Shut Off

There is a shut off on the gas line at or near its connection to each item that operates on gas. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the home and call the Gas Company immediately for emergency service. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has a very detailed site with emergency procedures, click on their name to go to this helpful site.