What To Expect From Your New home - You - Pulte Homes

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.
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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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 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 Warranty.