Walls
Coverage 1st Year Only. Workmanship and Materials.
Rough Carpentry
4-1-1
Observation: Wood framed wall is out of plumb.
Performance Guideline: Wood framed walls shall not be more than 1/4-inch out of plumb for any 32 inches in any vertical measurement.
Remodeling Specific: The owner and The Bolster Contractor may agree to intentionally build walls out of plumb to match the existing structure to accommodate or compensate for inaccuracies in the existing structure, and to disregard the performance guideline to match a pre-existing structural condition of the existing structure.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair to meet the performance guideline.
4-1-2
Observation: The wall is bowed.
Performance Guideline: Walls shall not bow more than l/2-inch out of line within any -inch horizontal measurement, or l/2-inch out of line within any 8-foot vertical measurement.
Remodeling Specific: If new wall cladding is installed on existing framed walls, the owner and The Bolster Contractor may agree to straighten the wall as part of scope of work, to install new cladding over existing framing, and to disregard the performance guideline to match a pre-existing structural condition of the existing structure.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the wall to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: All interior and exterior walls have slight variances in their finished surface. On occasion, the underlying framing may warp, twist, or bow after installation.
4-1-3
Observation: Exterior wall leaks because of inadequate caulking or failure of the caulking material.
Performance Guideline: Joints and cracks in exterior wall surfaces and around penetrations shall be properly caulked to prevent the entry of water.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair or caulk joints and cracks in exterior wall surfaces, as required to correct deficiencies, one time only during the warranty period. Even when properly installed, caulking will shrink and must be maintained by the owner.
Insulation
4-2-1
Observation: Wall insulation is insufficient.
Performance Guideline: The Bolster Contractor shall install insulation according to R-values designated in the contract documents or local code, as applicable. Insulation shall be installed according to locally accepted practices.
Windows, Mirrors
4-3-1
Observation: A window is difficult to open or close.
Performance Guideline: Windows should require no greater operating force than that described in the manufacturer's instructions.
Remodeling Specific: The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for inoperable windows not covered by the remodeling contract.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will correct or repair the window as required to meet the performance guideline.
4-3-2
Observation: Window grids (muntins) fall or become out of level.
Performance Guideline: Window grids shall not disconnect, fall, or become out of level.
Corrective Measure: Window grids will be repaired or replaced at The Bolster Contractor's discretion one time only.
4-3-3
Observation: Mirror or glass surfaces are scratched.
Performance Guideline: Glass or mirror surfaces shall not have scratches visible from 10 feet under normal lighting conditions at the time of substantial completion of the project.
Remodeling Specific: This guideline does not apply to existing windows unless they are part of the remodeling contract or are damaged by The Bolster Contractor. The owner and The Bolster Contractor should examine existing windows prior to contract execution.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall replace any scratched glass or mirror surface if noted prior to substantial completion of the project.
4-3-4
Observation: During rains, water appears on interior corner of glazed window unit.
Performance Guideline: Water leakage from improper installation is unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair any deficiencies attributable to improper installation.
Discussion: Leakage at the glazing interface is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
4-3-5
Observation: Window glass is broken and/or a screen is missing or damaged.
Performance Guideline: Glass should not be broken and screens should not be damaged at the time of substantial competition of the project. Screens required by the contract shall be installed.
Corrective Measure: Broken glass and/or missing or damaged screens reported to The Bolster Contractor before closing will be installed or replaced. Broken glass and/or screens not reported prior to substantial completion of the project are the owner's responsibility.
4-3-6
Observation: A mirror backing is deteriorating.
Performance Guideline: While looking at the mirror, from 10 feet away there should be no noticeable imperfections in the mirror as a result of damage to the mirror backing at the time of substantial completion of the project.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will replace or repair the mirror.
Exterior Doors
4-4-1
Observation: An exterior door is warped.
Performance Guideline: Exterior doors shall not warp to the extent that they become inoperable or cease to be weather-resistant. A 1/4-inch tolerance as measured diagonally from corner to corner is acceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will correct or replace exterior doors that do not meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Exterior doors will warp to some degree because of the difference in the temperature between inside and outside surfaces. Warping may also be caused by improper or incomplete finishing of the door. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for warpage if painting of doors is not within The Bolster Contractor’s scope of work.
4-4-2
Observation: Raw wood shows at the edges of inset panel on exterior door.
Performance Guideline: Wooden panels will shrink and expand because of temperature and/or humidity changes, and may expose unpainted surfaces. This does not constitute a defect.
Corrective Measure: None.
4-4-3
Observation: A wooden door panel is split.
Performance Guideline: A split in a panel shall not allow light to be visible through the door.
Corrective Measure: One time only, The Bolster Contractor will repair, paint, or stain the split panel that does not meet the performance guideline. Caulking and fillers are acceptable. The repainted area may not match the remainder of the door or other doors on the house.
Discussion: Wooden inserts are loosely fitted into the door to allow the inserts to move; this minimizes splitting of the panel or other damage to the door. On occasion, a panel may become "locked" by paint or expansion of the edges with changes in temperature and humidity and no longer "float" between the rails. This may result in the panel splitting.
4-4-4
Observation: An exterior door sticks.
Performance Guideline: Exterior doors shall operate smoothly, except that doors may stick during occasional periods of high humidity or with variations in temperature.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will adjust or replace the door to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Exterior doors may warp or bind to some degree because of the difference in the temperature and/or humidity between inside and outside surfaces. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for warpage if painting of doors is not within The Bolster Contractor's scope of work or if the door is repainted by the owner in a color other than those recommended by the door manufacture.
4-4-5
Observation: An exterior door will not shut completely.
Performance Guideline: Exterior doors shall shut completely.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will adjust or replace the door to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Exterior doors may warp or bind to some degree because of the difference in the temperature and/or humidity between inside and outside surfaces. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for warpage if painting of doors is not within The Bolster Contractor's scope of work or if the door is repainted by the owner in a color other than those recommended by the door manufacture.
4-4-6
Observation: The plastic molding on the primary door behind the storm door melts from exposure to sunlight.
Performance Guideline: The plastic moldings behind storm doors should not melt if the storm panel is removed and reinstalled by the owner as a part of normal seasonal maintenance operations (i.e., removed in the spring and reinstalled in the fall).
Corrective Measure: No corrective action is required.
Discussion: Plastic moldings may melt or deform if the exterior door is covered by a storm door panel during a warm season, or if it faces the sun. This is not a defect of the door, but a problem caused by the trapping of heat between the storm panel and the door. The owner is also cautioned to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on painting the moldings with a dark color, with or without the use of a storm panel. Dark colors should be avoided.
4-4-7
Observation: Caulking or glazing on the primary door behind the storm door cracks or peels.
Performance Guideline: Glazing or caulking behind storm doors should not crack or peel if the storm panel is removed and installed by owner as part of seasonal maintenance operations (i.e., removed in the spring and reinstalled in the fall).
Corrective Measure: No corrective measure is required.
Discussion: High temperatures may cause glazing and caulking to harden and/or fail prematurely if the door is covered by a storm panel during a warm season or if it faces the sun. This is not a defect of the door caulking, or glazing, but a problem caused by the trapping of heat between the door and the storm panel. The owner is reminded that dark colors tend to accumulate heat and are more likely to cause problems.
4-4-8
Observation: A door swings open or closed by the force of gravity.
Performance Guideline: Exterior doors shall not swing open or closed by the force of gravity alone.
Remodeling Specific: For remodeling projects, this guideline does not apply where a new door is installed in an existing wall that is out of plumb.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will adjust the door to prevent it from swinging open or closed by the force of gravity.
4-4-9
Observation: Gaps are visible around an exterior door edge, doorjamb, and/or threshold.
Performance Guideline: Gaps between adjacent components shall not vary by more than 3/16-inch.
Remodeling Specific: This applies unless the existing building is out of square or plumb.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair existing the unit to meet performance guideline.
Discussion: Doors must have gaps at their perimeter to accommodate expansion/ contraction due to variations in temperature and/or humidity and to enable the door to operate over a wide range of environmental conditions.
4-4-10
Observation: Exterior door hardware or kick plate has tarnished.
Performance Guideline: Finishes on door hardware or kick plates installed by The Bolster Contractor are covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Corrective Measure: The owner should contact the manufacturer.
4-4-11
Observation: Sliding patio door or screen will not stay on track.
Performance Guideline: Sliding patio doors and screens shall slide properly on their tracks at the time the job is accepted. The use, cleaning and maintenance necessary to preserve proper operation are an owner responsibility.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair once during the warranty period. Discussion: Proper operation should be verified by the owner and The Bolster Contractor at the time the job is accepted.
4-4-12
Observation: Sliding patio door does not roll smoothly.
Performance Guideline: Sliding patio doors shall roll smoothly at the time the job is accepted. The use, cleaning and maintenance necessary to preserve proper operation are an owner responsibility.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair once during the warranty period.
Discussion: Proper operation should be verified by the owner and The Bolster Contractor at the time the job is accepted.
4-4-13
Observation: A doorknob, deadbolt, or lockset does not operate smoothly.
Performance Guideline: A doorknob, deadbolt, or lockset should not stick or bind during operation.
Corrective Measure: One time only during the warranty period, The Bolster Contractor will adjust, repair, or replace knobs that are not damaged by abuse.