Levco’s Warranty & How to Care For Your New Remodel
“It is in our best interest to be contacted first if any problems arise”
Levco Remodeling Project Completion Documentation
Your project is complete and we wish you much joy and satisfaction. We appreciate that you chose Levco to do the work, and hope the experience was as positive for you as it was for us.
Referrals are always appreciated and we will gladly recognize you for them.
Our Warranty
Levco Builders LLC hereby warrants that all work performed and materials provided are of good working order and free from all faults and defects. The materials and workmanship provided meet or exceed the quality required for the issued permits and accepted industry standards. Furthermore, upon completion of work materials and workmanship comply with the Scope of Work Document unless otherwise specified.
Levco Builders LLC guarantees all workmanship and materials provided by us for one calendar year a limited lifetime following substantial completion of the project (that is paid in full), except as otherwise specified by any manufacturer’s warranty of individual equipment. Any work, or material, found to be defective, meeting guarantee specifications, will be, without cost to the Owner, corrected promptly after receipt of notice from Owner.
This warranty and guarantee exclude any responsibility on the part of Levco Builders LLC to remedy any defect or deficiency caused by any abuse or misuse by the Owner or others, changes or modifications not performed by Levco Builders LLC, and normal wear and tear.
We understand that it is in our best interest to be the ones that help take care of your home for years to come. This is how we build our reputation. Understanding how your home works is our thing. We are a great resource for you to use. Please ask us if there is something we can do or suggest we would be honored to be asked.
Care of Your New Remodel
To express our appreciation, we have included several paragraphs of wisdom (In no particular order) and links to good information related to caring for your new space. We appreciate your investment in your home and want to share this information we have gathered over the years.
By properly caring for your home, systems, and building materials, will ensure a long useful life. Please contact us to ask questions or share more great resources for our clients.
By now you should have all of your manuals and any product information from materials that we installed. If not, ask.
Tile, Stone Grout, & More
Tile and grout work together to create a waterproof surface that will last for eons if cared for properly. We use several grouts. Wiping down showers and shower glass after every shower will prolong the life of the installation. I use half of a synthetic chamois (From an auto parts store). Using the exhaust fan to eliminate excess humidity quickly will also prolong the life of your tile. If you have a timer use it for an hour for each shower. If you can’t remember to use the fan we have humidity sensors that can be installed.
• Epoxy: needs no regular maintenance, once installed just regular routine cleaning is fine.
• Polyurethane: does not require sealing
• Standard grout: Require resealing every 6-8 months (We no longer use this product)
• Boosted grout: does not require resealing however keep it clean and dry
• Natural stone and slate: Clean and reseal every 6 months. Do not use harsh chemicals on it, examples include toothpaste, soaps, and shampoos.
• Fiberglass pan inserts: Occasionally they get hard to clean use oven cleaner and (Barkeepers friend) a non-abrasive cleanser.
• Any products used that are not listed here please ask for assistance
DO NOT USE BLEACH! Bleach eats grout and can dissolve it. Grout has come a long way recently and is more bleach resistant but why risk it.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are made of natural wood that has a sealing layer and a finish layer of material on top. The wood is natural and will therefore expand and contract with temperature and will be affected by humidity and moisture. For cleaning only use a mild vinegar and water compound and a damp cloth.
Another option is a commercially available hardwood floor cleaner and follows instructions. Excessive moisture will cause cupping and will shorten the lifespan of the finish. It is expected that the finish in heavily used areas will need refreshing on average (every 10 years).
Depending upon wear and tear a maintenance coat of finish is advised. Serious problems have been caused by pet water bowls and water leaks from any source.
Heating & Air Conditioning
When we install systems, we specify a 4” pleated filter and that you leave your circulation system on all the time to even out temperatures and avoid the stack effect. Check and replace if dirty every 6 months when we switch from heating to cooling and back again.
Your outdoor unit has fins that collect debris as the fan is running. Clogged fins decrease the units’ capacity to cool clean them as needed with a dish soap solution and a fine spray from a hose. This may include removing landscaping from overgrowing the unit.
Bathroom fans are installed to be used to evacuate excessive humidity through ventilation. Humidity is caused by normal occupancy. Exessive humidity is sometimes caused by water boiling, fish tanks, or long hot showers, etc. Allow them to run a little longer than you think they are needed. Attic ventilation occurs naturally through a system of vents. Attic power ventilators that are thermostatically controlled fail frequently and would be better suited for timer control to run intermittently year-round for attic humidity control.
Humidifiers
Humidity in our region we have found that a Relative Humidity of 43% is about maximum or condensation may start to occur. Excessive indoor humidity can cause all sorts of damage some of which is invisible in the walls and on the underside of the roof Sheeting which leads to microbial growth which is commonly called mold. Condensation on the inside of windows is an early sign of this. Humidifiers should have the water shutoff at the first sign of humidity problems. Humidistats are notoriously inaccurate. Outside air is typically dry so allowing some ventilation to occur will often quickly correct the issue. We do not take responsibility for excessive humidity caused by humidifiers.
Windows & Glass
Windows often become scratched when cleaned improperly. We suggest a commercially available glass cleaner and damp cloth. Always clean the window trough too. Do not allow excess water to build up on wood windows. Condensation that is created should be minimal with new widows and will often resolve when curtains are opened.
On shower glass, we suggest a product called Amaze. It is available online and at Atkinson’s Mirror and glass on Orchard St.
Plumbing Fixtures
Each type of material has a suggested cleaning.
• Stainless steel: “Barkeeper’s friend” or ajax with a white scrubby pad. Stainless steel cleaner is available to shine it up. Very abrasive materials could scratch the metal. Fixing scratches can be done but requires elbow grease, See Levco if you need to borrow some of our stash.
• Porcelain: a light cleaning with Barkeepers friend or ajax-like cleaner. And white or green scrubby
• Cast Iron enamel: Same as above
• Granite composite: Clean as with nonabrasive cleanser check user’s manual for brand-specific recommendations.
• Drains. Do not use over-the-counter drain cleaners unless it is a last resort. They are caustic and dangerous for you and the plumber. Your plumbing system should be able to be cleaned with a mechanical snaking device. Please alert us or your plumber if an obstruction occurs.
• Leaks: They are not normal. Let Levco know if you see one or hear one so we can fix it.
Hardware & Moving Parts
Anything that moves should require light lubrication periodically. It is often hard to tell something is binding up as it happens very slowly. Before you lubricate, try cleaning with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
Dry off and test. Lubricate if necessary. Any lightweight oil designed for lubrication is fine. Use caution with sprays as they can deposit lubrication far away from the intended spot.
Cleaning hardware like doorknobs and hinges and the metal on plumbing fixtures should be done with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaner. Finishes are often delicate and are subject to scratching or rubbing off completely in extreme cases we have seen.
Countertops
Countertops must be cared for. As more products become available be sure to check the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning techniques and materials. Here are our recommendations in the event you cannot locate theirs. Do not use sharp-cutting instruments right on it.
• Concrete: The countertop should be sealed every 6 months. Water can enter the slab and cause haze to develop like from a dishwasher.
• Butcher-block or wood. Like cabinets wood does not like moisture, wipe with a damp rag, and when dry treat it with mineral oil and work it in and or a commercially available wood cutting board coating.
• Corian. This is a manmade product it is the same color all the way through s small scratches can be sanded out. Do not place hot objects directly on the material.
• Laminate: like any countertop do no scratch or cut on. Do not use harsh abrasives and do not place hot objects directly on it.
• Granite: This mother nature material requires regular cleaning with water and mild detergent. Or any proprietary cleaning that is designed for this use. Seal granite every 6 months with a granite sealer to make is resistant to stains. Do not shock the surface with hot things or scratch with sharp objects.
• Quartz: this is a manmade resin that is fairly new to the market. We are seeing some blotchiness and scratching occasionally. There is no good way to deal with it. We have a poultice material that can try and pull a stain our but polishing is not reasonable either. Gaps can be epoxied. See manufacturers recommendations for the product we installed
More Tips About Solid Surface Counter Tops
- Wipe up spills immediately.
- Protect countertop surfaces with coasters or placemats.
- Clean surfaces with a mild detergent. Mild dishwashing liquid can be mixed with water to clean most natural stone surfaces.
- Do not use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids or ammonia.
- Never use abrasive cleaners on any natural stone surface.
- Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface as it can dull the polish over time..
Painted Surfaces
Painted surfaces require little maintenance, a light wiping with a damp cloth should be adequate. For more severe stains and or marks you may need to paint over the spot with the touch-up paint.
Always stir up the paint well and feather it in as painted surfaces exposed to the sun may fade.
Concrete
There are two types of concrete, “That which is cracked, and that which will eventually crack” We recommend that you are careful with it as it is fragile and can be stained and discolored if not sealed regularly and cared for properly.
Cabinetry
Many clients delegate the housekeeping chores to others, assuming they know what to do.
Please use this document as a helpful guide for everyone responsible or involved in caring for your cabinetry to agree upon.
The Background Cabinet Cleaning
Since we use several manufacturers, and that this information is often lost or verbally discussed, I felt obligated to step in. This frustration came to a head during a recent inadvertent catastrophe.
My process was simple, I gathered information from my manufacturers, got them all to buy in, and compiled it. Please take this seriously; we want your investment to last.
During my research, I discovered that there are as many recommendations on how to clean and care for your cabinets, as there are cabinet companies. What you read here will safely cover your cabinetry care and feeding needs.
Trust me, I am sharing several lifetimes’ worth of fine woodworking wisdom here.
Rule number #1, there is no rule #2
“Moisture is the mortal enemy of any finish” the wood cells swell and burst off the finish. Do not allow appliances to direct steam into your cabinetry.
Your cabinets were made when the wood was dry, by keeping your cabinets dry and maintaining a stable temperature and humidity in your home, you will help prolong the life of all of your woodwork.
As a guiding principle, “Care for your cabinets the same way you would care for a piano or any other wood musical instrument”.
Basic Cleaning Procedure
Wipe with a dampened, lint-free cotton cloth and promptly wipe dry. For removal of oil, grease, and spills, use a damp lint-free cloth with a solution of mild soap and water, then dry immediately.
Avoid using a dishcloth or sponge to clean cabinet surfaces as it may contain a remnant of harsh detergents that can harm the finish.
• Wipe up spills immediately using a dry cloth with a “blotting” motion.
• Pay special attention to areas where water is common, such as sinks and dishwashers.
• Do not allow water and detergents to dry on the cabinet surfaces.
• Horizontal surfaces of shaker doors and raised panel doors are very common collection sites for excess moisture.
• Never hang damp towels on cabinet doors to dry.
Excessive Heat & Your Cabinets
Avoid placing cabinet appliances where the heat is directed onto cabinet surfaces. The stability of the wood and finish can be harmed, and besides, it is dangerous.
Abrasive devices, Cleaners, Polishes, and Solvents for Cabinets
Never use scouring pads, steel wool, powdered cleaners, or solvents as these methods of cleaning may penetrate the surface, allowing food or moisture to enter and cause deterioration of the finishes.
Do not use ammonia-based cleaners, soaps with dye, abrasive cleaners, or self-polishing waxes (especially those that contain silicone).
We do not recommend a spray polish or cabinet cleaning compound because we could not get everyone to agree on a product, some even contain toxic ingredients. Use them at your own risk.
Clean glass by spraying a glass cleaner on the cloth then wiping glass until dry.
Hinges & Hardware
Most hinge and drawer slides we have installed in the past decade are easily adjustable or replaceable. Smooth operation is to be expected. Vintage hardware may be obsolete. Please contact us if your hardware is giving you trouble, and we will see what we can do to help.
Gouges, Dings, & Final Thoughts about Cabinets
Wood products and their finish are only as good as the care they receive. Well-maintained cabinetry will extend the life and beauty of your cabinetry for decades. We understand that things happen, dings and scratches occur too, contact us for support and recommendations. Perhaps a scheduled tune-up is in order.
We have the ability to repair or replace almost anything. Please help us to ensure your cabinets stay beautiful. Alert us early, if a problem arises. Please allows us to be part of the solution.
Excessive moisture and problems related to moisture are beyond our control and are naturally not covered by our comprehensive warranty.
(UV) Ultraviolet damage
Levco is not responsible for damage caused by ultraviolet light. It can be responsible for the discoloration of fabrics, textures, colors, and finishes both manmade and natural finishes.
Summary
We hope we have given you enough information to care for your remodeling project. In the event this information does not address your specific concern, let us know, odds are that others would like to know too.
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