Welcome
to Your Beautiful New Home!
We’re so happy you’re here, and we’re honored to be part of this exciting new chapter.
This Homeowner Guide was created with care to help you feel confident, supported, and totally at home from day one. Inside, you’ll find simple tips, friendly advice, and answers to the most common questions we’ve heard from homeowners just like you.
Included in this guide are:
-
Easy maintenance how-tos 🧰
-
Warranty reminders 📝
-
Seasonal checklists 🍂☀️❄️🌷
-
And those “what do I do now?” moments we all face sometime
Our goal is to make sure you feel informed, empowered, and never alone in the journey of homeownership.
So, flip through, save your favorite tips, and remember: you’ve got this — and we’ve got your back.
Warranty Guidelines
Appliances
Your new home comes equipped with quality appliances to make daily life easier — from your stove and fridge to your washer, dryer, and more. Each one comes with its own manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind.
📝 Who Handles What?
Each appliance is warrantied directly by the manufacturer, NOT by Pointe Homes. That means if something goes wrong, you’ll contact the appliance company (like Whirlpool, GE, etc.) directly for service or replacement.
💡 Pro Tip: If an appliance isn’t working, check your breaker panel first — sometimes it’s just a tripped switch!
📦 What You Should Do
Keep all your appliance manuals and warranty cards in a safe place. Some warranties require you to register your appliances online — it’s quick and totally worth it! You will need to supply the model and serial number (usually located on a small metal plate or seal attached to the appliance in an inconspicuous location), and the date of purchase (your closing date). If you ever need service, check the manual for a customer service number or visit the brand’s website.
✅ Warranty Coverage: Manufacturer warranties typically cover mechanical defects and parts for 1 year (or more, depending on the brand). Damage from misuse or lack of maintenance is not covered.
Drywall
Your drywall might show small cracks or bumps over time — don’t worry! Your home is settling into its foundation, and this kind of movement is expected.
✅ One-Time Warranty Service: Pointe Homes will repair nail pops and minor shrinkage cracks one time during your warranty period (usually around the 11-month mark). We’ll paint the repaired spots using the original paint color. Touch-ups will be visible, but we’ll do our best to blend!
💡 Note: Repairs are limited to what’s visible in normal lighting. Custom paint and wallpaper added after closing aren’t covered.
Common Drywall Issues
Nail Pops: Tiny bumps where drywall nails push forward. Easy to fix with a bit of spackle and a paint touch-up.
Hairline Cracks: Often appear at corners or seams. These can be covered with paint or filled with spackle or caulk.
🛠 Simple Fixes
• Use a small putty knife or spatula to remove loose material.
• Apply spackle or caulk in thin layers.
• Once dry, sand lightly and paint using your touch-up kit.
🖌 Repainting Tips
Touch-ups might not be a perfect match due to time, light exposure, or paint lot differences. You’re welcome to repaint entire walls or rooms for the best blend — especially if you’ve added custom colors.
Caulking
Over time, caulking naturally shrinks, cracks, or pulls away — it’s completely normal! Caulking is an important part of keeping moisture out and your home sealed up tight.
🛠 Why It Matters
Caulking helps keep water, drafts, and pests out. It’s used around tubs, sinks, windows, and where trim meets the wall.
Pointe Homes offers one-time caulking touch-ups during your materials and workmanship period. We recommend scheduling this with your 11-month service.
🔍 Maintenance Tips
Inspect regularly: Check caulked areas a few times a year, especially in bathrooms and around windows.
Touch up when needed: Remove loose or cracked caulk, clean the area, and reapply. You can find caulk and caulking guns at any hardware store.
Choose the right type:
-
Latex Caulk: Great for areas you plan to paint, like trim or stairs.
-
Silicone Caulk: Best for damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens. (Heads up: silicone can’t be painted.)
🎨 Colored Caulk
Available in many shades to match tile or trim — just be aware dye lots can vary slightly.
Ceramic Tiles
It's beautiful, durable, and easy to care for — a great choice for busy homes! Here’s how to keep yours looking great year after year.
🧼 Cleaning Your Tile
Floors: Just vacuum as needed and occasionally mop with warm water. Avoid soap or detergent — they can leave a dull film.
Walls & Counters: Use a non-abrasive cleaner or mild soap and water. Avoid anything gritty or harsh, which can damage the finish.
🧽 Grout Care & Cleaning
Discoloration? Gently scrub with a fiber brush, water, and a grout cleaner.
🚧 Grout Cracks & Tile Movement
It’s normal for slight cracks or separations to appear over time, especially where tile meets tubs, countertops, or walls.
This is due to natural shrinkage and movement in the home. Just touch up with premixed grout or tub caulk from a hardware store — easy fix!
Want extra protection? You can seal your grout — just know that once sealed, ongoing maintenance is up to you. And sealed grout isn’t covered under warranty.
✅ Pointe Homes will repair cracked or chipped tiles noted during your orientation. We’ll also provide a one-time grout repair within your first year — just remember, exact color matches aren’t guaranteed due to dye lot variations.
HVAC
You’re heating and cooling system (HVAC) is the heart of your home’s comfort — and a little regular care goes a long way in keeping it efficient and worry-free.
Your HVAC system is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Any annual maintenance, filter replacements, or service calls are the homeowner’s responsibility.
💡 Quick Fix: If your system isn’t working as expected, check the thermostat settings, replace the air filter, and make sure the breaker hasn’t tripped before calling for service.
🧹 Monthly Must-Do: Change Your Air Filter. Your system works best with a clean filter. Check it once a month, especially during heavy-use seasons (summer & winter). Dirty filters make your system work harder, raising your energy bill and shortening its life.
You’ll usually find the filter behind a return air grille or in the air handler. Replacement filters are available at most hardware stores — just match the size.
🧊 A/C Tips
• Keep the outdoor unit (condenser) free of leaves, dirt, or debris.
• Make sure the area around it has at least 2 feet of clear space for airflow.
• Avoid covering the unit — even in winter.
🔥 Heating Notes: Your furnace doesn’t need much attention if you’re keeping up with filters and annual checks. If your home uses a programmable thermostat, take time to adjust it for comfort and energy savings
Electrical
Powering Up Safely & Smartly. Understanding a few basics can help you feel more confident when something needs attention.
⚡ Know Your Breaker Box
You’ll usually find the breaker panel in the garage or utility area. Inside, each switch (or "breaker") controls power to a different part of your home — they’re labeled for easy reference. The main breaker at the top shuts off power to the entire house if needed in an emergency.
🧯 Total loss of electricity
Check with the utility company before reporting this to our offices or electrician
✅ Helpful Tip: GFCI outlets (usually in kitchens, bathrooms, and garages) protect against electric shock. If an outlet stops working in one of these areas, look for a nearby GFCI outlet and press the reset button.
🔁 When a Circuit Trips
If an outlet or light suddenly stops working, don’t panic — a breaker probably just tripped.
Here’s how to reset it:
• Open your breaker box.
• Look for a switch that’s in between ON and OFF — that’s the tripped one.
• First switch it OFF, then back ON firmly.
✅ If it trips again:
• Unplug anything connected to that circuit (especially high-energy items like microwaves or vacuums).
• Reset the breaker again.
• If it trips with nothing plugged in — time to call a licensed electrician.
🔌 Preventing Overloads
Avoid plugging too many devices into one outlet or extension cord.
Watch for warm outlets or flickering lights — they can be signs of overload.
Plumbing
Your home’s plumbing system is built to last, but it does need occasional check-ins to keep things flowing smoothly. Here’s what to look out for and how to prevent common issues.
💧 Routine Plumbing Care
Check under sinks: Once a month, take a quick peek under your kitchen and bathroom sinks for any signs of moisture or slow leaks.
Watch for clogs:
Avoid pouring grease down the kitchen sink. Use drain screens in showers and tubs to catch hair and debris. Don’t flush anything but toilet paper. "Flushable" wipes can still cause clogs — we’ve seen it!
✅ Warranty Note: Leaks due to material defects or installation are covered during your warranty period. Clogs from normal use, improper flushing, or lack of maintenance are the homeowner’s responsibility.
🛁 Water Pressure & Flow
A sudden drop in water pressure? It could be a clogged aerator. Unscrew the tip of your faucet and rinse it out — quick and easy! For slow drains, try a non-corrosive cleaner or a good ol’ plunger before using strong chemicals.
🧼 Water Heater Basics
Your water heater has a temperature setting — 120°F is ideal for comfort and safety. You may hear gurgling or popping sounds — that’s sediment buildup. We recommend having it flushed by a plumber once a year.
🧯 Emergency Shut-Off
Know where your main water shut-off valve is located (usually in the garage or front yard). If a pipe bursts or a leak gets serious, shutting it off quickly can prevent major damage.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re going out of town for several days, it’s smart to shut off the main water valve — just in case!
Gas Leak
Gas leaks aren’t always obvious—they may not smell or show visible signs. Look for dead plants, damaged pipes, a rotten egg odor, a white cloud near gas lines, or a hissing sound. A spike in your gas bill can also be a clue.
In an emergency, locate your natural gas meter ahead of time—it may be underground, in a cabinet, or under the house. If you smell gas or hear it escaping, and it's safe, use a 12-inch or larger wrench to turn the shut-off valve a quarter turn until it’s crosswise to the pipe.
Never turn the gas back on yourself—wait for a certified professional. For appliance leaks, shut off gas at the appliance. Always handle gas equipment with caution.
**Natural Gas Safety Tips**
Keep kids and flammables away from gas appliances.
Ensure good airflow and install carbon monoxide detectors.
Have appliances and gas lines inspected yearly.
If a pilot light goes out, shut off the valve and wait 5 minutes before relighting. Keep a wrench near your main shutoff.
Smell gas? Don’t use flames or switches—leave and call a gas professional. All leaks are serious.
Roof & Gutters
Your roof and gutter system work hard to protect your home from rain, wind, and sun. With a little care and attention, they’ll keep doing their job beautifully for years.
✅ Warranty Reminder: Your roof materials are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Pointe Homes will also inspect and address any installation issues noted during your warranty period. Routine maintenance and seasonal cleaning are the homeowner’s responsibility.
💡 Pro Tip: If you see water stains on ceilings or walls, act fast — it could be a small issue now that’s easier (and cheaper) to fix early.
🧹 Gutter Maintenance
• Clean your gutters at least twice a year — in spring and fall are best.
• Remove leaves, dirt, and debris that can cause clogs and water to back up.
• Check that downspouts are draining away from the home’s foundation (at least 3–4 feet is ideal).
🕵️♂️ Roof Watchouts
• After heavy storms, look for missing or lifted shingles, or debris buildup. Report anything unusual right away.
• Dark streaks or stains? Usually algae or dirt, not a leak. Professional roof cleaning can help (but avoid pressure washing — it can damage shingles).
🔨 Preventative Tips
• Trim tree limbs away from the roof to prevent damage from rubbing or falling branches.
• Avoid walking on the roof — it's easy to damage shingles and flashing.
Smoke Detectors
A Small Check That Saves Lives Your smoke detectors are key to keeping your family safe. A little monthly care goes a long way!
✅ Warranty Reminder:
We’ll test all smoke detectors during your orientation. After that, maintenance is your responsibility.
🔥 Tip: Make sure your homeowner’s insurance includes fire coverage — just in case.
🔋 Batteries
• Chirping sound = low battery. Replace with a 9-volt battery.
• Change batteries every 6–12 months (many do it with daylight savings time!).
🧼 Cleaning
• Gently dust or vacuum detectors once a month.
• Press the test button after cleaning to make sure it works.
📍 Location
• Installed based on building codes — Pointe Homes can’t move or remove them.
• Never disconnect or disable a smoke detector.
Rock Walls
Keep It Looking Great
Depending on your community, your home may include rock walls or fencing — or you might add them later. Either way, a little upkeep goes a long way!
🧱 Rock Walls
If installed by Pointe Homes, condition is confirmed at orientation.
Keep drainage paths clear — don’t block swales or low spots.
Use PVC or similar pipes at the base to let water flow through.
🔩 Wrought Iron
Touch up scratches to prevent rust.
Repaint every 1–2 years.
Keep sprinklers and standing water away from posts.
✅ Warranty Note:
Cracks in rock walls are to be expected and are not covered under warranty as they are not a structural part of your home. All cementitious materials, including rock wall mortar, are prone to cracks and will require homeowner inspection and maintenance.
We’ll repair loose fence posts during your warranty period. Damage from weather or custom changes isn’t covered — contact your insurance for that.
Termites & Ants
Pointe Homes warranty excludes treatment for any other insect (such as ants) or animal (such as mice) infestations
🔍 If you believe you see signs of termites or if you have any questions, contact your termite treatment company for guidance.
