MAINTENANCE Foundation By maintaining good drainage away from your home, you are protecting your home’s foundation. Maintenance of drainage away from all concrete will minimize cracking and other forms of movement. Sweeping/Cleaning Do not wash patios, porches, drives, etc. with cold water from an outside faucet when temperatures are extremely high and the hot sun has been shining on the concrete. The abrupt change in temperature can damage the surface bond of the concrete. Sweeping is the preferred method of keeping exterior concrete clean. If washing is necessary, do this when temperatures are moderate. Cleaning of the garage floor by hosing can cause settling, spalling, and increase soil movement by allowing water to penetrate any existing cracks. Sweeping is the recommended method for keeping the garage clean. Be sure to sweep ice and salt out of the garage during the winter months. Leaving these elements in the garage can also cause spalling. Heavy Vehicles Do not permit heavy vehicles such as moving vans or concrete trucks to drive on your concrete work. This concrete is not intended to bear the weight of these types of vehicles. Expansion Joints Expansion joints have been used to help control expansion; however, concrete is also susceptible to shrinking. If the concrete shrinks, moisture can penetrate under the concrete and lift the expansion joint. If this occurs, you can fill the gap created with a concrete sealant, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. LIMITED WARRANTY Foundation The foundation of your home has been designed and installed in accordance with the recommendations of a Registered Professional Engineer. While the foundation has been designed and constructed in accordance with engineering requirements, shrinkage or settlement cracks are common and should be expected within certain tolerances. Any cracks greater than 1/4" in width will be repaired by surface patching or painting, up to one year. Builder is not responsible for variations in color of any repairs. Flatwork Flatwork is defined as porches, stoops, patios, driveways, and sidewalks. Cracking in the concrete flatwork is often caused by temperature extremes. During the summer, moisture finds its way under the concrete along the edges, or through cracks in the surface. In winter, this moisture forms frost that can lift the concrete, increasing or causing more cracking. Flatwork cracking is not covered by this or any other warranty. Grade Changes If the Homeowner changes the grading, drainage, or landscape design or fails to perform needed maintenance and this causes any damage, the Homeowner is responsible. Cracking of the thin mortar finish over exposed foundation walls is not warranted. Submit Warranty Request Back to Warranty Contents