Home Care - Exterior

1. Roofs, Gutters and Downspouts

2. Landscaping and Trees

3. Garage Doors

4. Concrete Walks, Patios, Steps and Driveway Approaches

5. Concrete Foundation, Walls and Floors

6. Asphalt Driveways

Care Instructions

Exterior

Roofs, Gutters and Downspouts

Park Pointe has used “seal-down” asphalt shingles on the roof. The mastic is placed on the underside of the shingles. Shingles will adhere better after the hot sun warms the roof. Shingles can be lifted by strong winds when first applied or if applied during the winter. Gutters and downspouts should be kept free of tree limbs, leaves, balls and other obstructions, which will stop the downspout from functioning properly. We suggest you consult with your insurance agent if leaks occur because of wind damage. Normal shrinkage will require caulking around vents and flues on the roof. Failure to perform this maintenance may, in time, result in leaks.

Landscaping and Trees

Your lawn has been hydro-seeded. Your new lawn requires careful attention, especially during the first year, with respect to watering, fertilizing and trimming.

Your new tree also needs special care to help insure its survival. It must be thoroughly watered during planting, or as soon as possible after planting. Failure to water will result in “air pockets” that will severely damage the tree, which is already suffering from planting shock. Provide slow, trickling water at the trunk of the tree (about 10 gallons) once per week, stopping at the first sign of runoff. Twice per week watering may be necessary in extremely hot summer weather. Continue watering until the ground freezes. Caution: adjust watering application during wet periods to avoid drowning the young tree.

Maintain the mulch cover (wood chips) in a shallow saucer-shape to facilitate watering. Mulches prevent competition with weeds and grass while keeping the soil moist and cool to promote root growth.

If your tree comes with a tree wrap around the trunk, do not remove until the second year after planting.

Protect new trees from cars, bikes, lawn mowers, and weed-eater type line trimmers.

Do not fertilize or use weed killers. The trees are grown in a nursery naturally, without chemicals. You may kill the tree if you use any chemicals.

Do not attempt any pruning, staking or repair work.

Garage Doors

The garage doors are mounted on rollers and torsion or extension springs for easy operation. The garage door requires periodic maintenance. Oil the lock mechanism, pulley and roller at least twice per year with light oil. When locking the door, step down on the lock plate to line up the locking mechanism.

Concrete Walks, Patios, Steps and Driveway Approaches

Because of the porous nature of the material, cracking in concrete walks, patios or steps are inevitable. Changes in temperature make concrete and other masonry products contract and expand causing minor cracks. We have provided contraction and expansion joints in the concrete in an effort to minimize the cracks that result from stress. Changing temperatures may also cause porch and patio posts to become loose, and patios and walks to lift, even though proper support piers and rods have been installed. Driveway approaches are not designed to support heavy vehicles such as moving vans and delivery trucks, but were meant to support normal lighter weight automobile traffic.

Concrete Foundation Walls and Floors

Settling and temperature changes may cause hairline cracks in the foundation walls and floor. These cracks cannot be prevented and should be repaired to help prevent water penetration.

Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt is less susceptible to cracking than concrete and will last a considerable length of time with proper care and maintenance. Some expansion cracks are unavoidable. Sharp objects such as bicycle kickstands, ladders or tire jacks will cause gouges and cause the material to soften, break down and disintegrate. Driveways are designed for normal, lighter weight vehicles and will not support heavy trucks such as moving vans and delivery trucks.