12.8 Water in Crawl Space The Builder covers any leaks in the crawl space of the home for a period of five years. The Builder will eliminate the cause of the leaks. The Builder will establish positive flow within the crawl space to prevent ponding of water. If positive flow was not established, the Builder will take corrective action for a period of one year to create positive flow within the crawl space to discharge to the exterior of the structure. The Homeowner must not obstruct drainage and must maintain established grades. Dampness and condensation in the crawl space are common, often temporary, conditions which cannot be entirely eliminated and are not covered by the Limited Warranty. 12.9 Basement Wall Bowed or Out of Plumb Basement walls should not bow or be out of plumb greater than 1 inch per 8 feet when measured from the base of the wall to the top of the wall. In situations where bowing or out-of- plumb walls exceed these parameters, the Builder will make corrections for a period of one year by floating the wall. 12.10 Basement Leaks The Builder will eliminate the cause of leaks in the basement or crawl space for five years. Basement leaks caused by landscaping or downspouts installed by the Homeowner, failure of the Homeowner to maintain proper grades, unusual storms, and acts of God or other excluded events as provided in the Limited Warranty section are not covered by the Limited Warranty.
12.7 Chalky Deposits (Efflorescence) Efflorescence is the white powder that can appear on the surface of a masonry wall. It is caused when water seeps through the wall, dissolving salts inside of the structure. The water then evaporates, leaving the salt on the surface. This is a normal condition; therefore, the Builder is not responsible for efflorescence. The Homeowner may remove efflorescence by cleaning with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution and water. TSP is available at most hardware or paint stores.
HOME TIP
To keep your crawl space dry, don’t change the drainage pattern on homesites designed for water retention. Always maintain a 6-inch minimum vertical space between the earth and any siding or stucco. If you don’t, water can enter the joint between the footing and the wall material, or deteriorate the siding, brick, or stucco. Keep drainage ditches and swales free of leaves, debris, plants, and other elements that may interfere with water flow. Reestablish the original grade of your homesite if the soil settles over time. Delay any major landscaping projects until your home is at least one year old. Most soil settlement occurs during the first year. Hire a licensed landscaper to install or modify your landscaping. Don’t plant new plants or grass too close to the house. Watering plants near the house can cause leaks into the interior and other water problems.
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