Homeowners

An emergency is total loss of power, heat, roof leaks, water main leaks, gas leaks.

If you have a gas leak please contact PG&E immediately.

If the leak is major and causing severe secondary damage, you will want to go to the water main commonly found near the front hose bibb. Your irrigation may be running off this main water line as well so you will want to make sure and turn off the valve that is directly on the main line and not the one running off to the side. Then call our office immediately and we will dispatch a plumber. If the leak is small and is located under a sink or at a toilet, you can shut the water off to that plumbing fixture by shutting off the valve located at the water lines running to that fixture. Then, contact our office in writing and we will send a service request to a plumber.

The most expedient way to receive a general service call is to fill out the Service Request form shown here or call your customer service representative. You received his or her contact information on your orientation walk. The service request forms are reviewed daily (weekdays) and sent to the appropriate representative who will schedule a visit or repair from the Kiper team or subcontractor. In case of an emergency, a list of major subcontractors is provided in your maintenance manual created specifically for your community that you received on your final walk.

Your one-year fit and finish warranty was provided to you as part of your purchase agreement package. It describes your rights and obligations as a homeowner in connection with the quality of specific materials and workmanship used to construct your home. This warranty covers original materials or workmanship as of the date of your close of escrow and continues for one year thereafter unless otherwise noted.

Additionally, Kiper Homes assures that your new home will meet the high standards set by California under SB-800 (California Civil Code, Title 7) which provides for the useful life and operational capabilities of your home over a varied number of years after your purchase, depending on the component. This law describes the level of performance you can expect in your home’s components, including such things as your irrigation system, drainage and fit and finish (warranted 1 year), to driveways, electrical and plumbing (4 years), to larger items such as your home’s foundation and structural integrity (10 full years).

Professionally manufactured products included in your new home are independently warranted by each manufacturer for various time periods depending on the product. Examples include appliances (dishwasher, garbage disposal, etc.), fireplaces, plumbing fixtures, windows, finish hardware, HVAC units, attic fans, garage door opener, lighting fixtures, and the like (warranty, manufacturers, and timelines for coverage may vary from home to home).

• GFI Outlets: Test for proper operation.
• Kitchen Fan Filter: Clean Filter and Fan Housing
• Plumbing: Flush all toilets and run water through all skins, showers, and tubs to check for leakage. Verify all open overflow holes are clear. Clear slow draining sinks and tubs.
• Smoke Detectors: Test for proper operation.
• Exterior Vents: Inspect, lubricate, and clean all exterior vents to ensure air flows freely.
• Furnace: Replace filters as needed. (Do this every month for the first six months for construction debris.)
• Windows: Lubricate rollers and latches. Inspect and clean all weep holes. Re-caulk as appropriate. Periodically open windows to inhibit any moisture source.
• Interior Doors: Lubricate hinges and tighten knobs as necessary. Check doorstops for proper operation.
• Exterior Doors: Inspect finish for peeling, touch up as needed. Lubricate hinges and locks if required. Polish tarnished hardware. Adjust weather-stripping as needed.

• HVAC: Inspect and service either your heating or air conditioning system, depending on the season.
• Caulking: Inspect and repair as needed: kitchen and bath wet areas, toilet areas, window and door seals, hose bibs, vents, interior settling cracks, and stucco.
• Gutters: Clear all debris to ensure free flow of water. Check downspout drainage tubes are draining away from the structure. Touch up paint.
• Sprinklers: Inspect nozzles to ensure water is spraying away from structure. Adjust to seasonal changes.
• Faucets: Clean aerators of calcium, lime, and or rust.
• Garbage Disposal: Clean and sharpen by running ice cubes and a foaming cleaner into the disposal.
• Exterior Drainage: Check to ensure there is no standing water for 24 hours and that no water is draining toward your foundation.

• Paint-Int/Ext: Inspect for cracking or peeling. Caulk, repaint, and repair as needed. Manufacturer’s recommendation is every 6-8 years.
• Roof Vents: Keep all roof, gable, and eve vents open and free from obstructions.
• Roof Tile: Visually inspect for loose tile and or debris.
• Water Heater: Drain and refill. Test and inspect the safety valve.
• Carpet: Professionally clean carpets every 12-18 months, depending on traffic use.
• Garage Doors: Inspect rails and lock system. Adjust and lubricate as necessary.
• Fire Sprinklers: Inspect and test. Follow all manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Smoke Detectors: Replace batteries.
• Tile Flooring: Inspect and repair and cracked grout and seal.