Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Where do I find what is covered by the Crosswinds warranty?

Answer: Your Crosswinds Welcome Home Guide has information on your warranty.

Question: Who do I call if I have an emergency pertaining to the electrical, gas or water service to my home?

Answer: Electrical: Go to the electrical panel to ensure all circuits are in the on position. If they are and you still do not have power, check to make sure that there is not a power outage for your area. Lastly, place a call to the utility company and they can help identify the problem.

Gas: If you smell gas, contact the gas company directly. Exit the home if you are able to.

No Heat: Follow the procedure in your Homeowner Care Guide before calling in a heat emergency. Some additional items you can do are: 1) check your air filter to ensure it is clean and installed correctly. 2) Check the gas valve to your furnace to see if it is in the on position. 3) Make sure the service switch is in the on position. This is located on the side of the furnace and it looks like a light switch. 4) Turn your thermostat to auto and turn your heat up from its current temperature. If you are still unable to get your furnace running, then contact the Heating Company identified on the sticker of your furnace.

Water Service: If there is no potable water (suitable for drinking) in the home would you have a water emergency. If you have no water, check your water meter to ensure the gate valve is in the on position (handle is parallel to the main copper line). If it is in the on position and you still have no water, you would then call you local water department.

Question: What happens if I have a plumbing leak under a sink or in a ceiling?

Answer: If you have a sink or toilet leak from the valve, locate the shut off and turn the fixture off. If you have a leak and it is coming through the ceiling, and you are able to locate where the leak is coming from, turn off the water to that fixture. If there is water building up in the ceiling, simply poke a hole in the ceiling. Be sure to have a bucket and towels ready. If it is during business hours, please contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent. If after hours, please contact at Land Arc at (248) 377-9933.

Question: What happens if I have a siding or window leak?

Answer: First, you would contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent. Second, take care of your home and belongings. You may need a towel, bucket

and mop. Lastly, if the drywall is wet, try relieving the water buy cutting a small hole in the area of the leak.

Note: Crosswinds does not cover damages to items such as wallpaper, custom wall paintings, furnishings, household items and decoration. Your homeowners insurance will cover these items. Crosswinds will help restore your home to the original builder’s state prior to the leak.

Question: What happens if I have a roof leak?

Answer: You would contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent and inform him/her of your leak. Take the necessary precautions to keep your belongings cared for and away from water that may be entering your home. If the drywall is wet or bulging, cut or puncture a small hole to relive the water pressure. Be sure to have a bucket and towel below the area to catch the water.

Question: Is ice damming covered by Crosswinds? How do I remove the areas of ice?

Answer: Ice damming is not covered by Crosswinds. It is best to hire a contractor to remove the areas of ice build up. Ice build occurs when there are freeze thaw cycles during the winter months. Be sure to have your gutters cleaned prior to winter; this helps the water flow if there is a thaw during the winter months.

Question: Do I need to caulk after I move into my home?

Answer: It is helpful to have caulk in your home to maintain the caulk in the following areas: bathrooms, countertop backsplashes, exterior wood seams and rough sawn wood joints, exterior window and door frames.

Question: If I have GE Appliances, who do I contact for my warranty?

Answer: It is best to contact GE Appliances directly at 1-800-GE-CARES or www.geappliances.com. If you have Whirlpool appliances, you may contact them at www.whirlpool.com or 1-800-253-1301. Please be sure to have the model and serial numbers from the appliance about which you are contacting them. These numbers are usually located inside the door of the appliance on the side of the door.

Question: Is it okay if I salt my exterior concrete if there is ice on it during the winter?

Answer: No. Crosswinds does not recommend salt or any other sort of de-icing agent due to the damaging effects they have on concrete surfaces. Use of de-icing agents invalidates the warranty on the concrete. Please use kitty litter or sand to improve traction.

Question: My windows are not locking properly.

Answer: Make sure top sash is all the way to the top (double-hung only). Check to make sure lower sash is closed while at the same time putting a small amount of pressure on the center of the window making sure the weather-stripping channels interlock. If they are still not locking, contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent.

Question: When should I maintain my exterior paint?

Answer: It is recommended that you touch up your exterior paint every summer. Be sure to check the caulking and fill where needed.

Question: How much weight can my wire closet shelving hold?

Answer: Wire closet shelving has weight load of 50 pounds between brackets, however, by adding additional brackets you can increase that load capacity. It is best to get professional advice from your local home improvement center. Putting more than 50 pounds will put you at risk of having the entire shelf fall down.

Question: How long is my sump warranted for? How do I maintain it?

Answer: The sump pump in your home is warranted for year. It is recommended that you pour a gallon of water in it at least every six months to ensure it is working properly. You may also add a few cups of bleach to help keep it clean.

Question: My outside outlets are not working.

Answer: Check the GFCI outlet (the electric outlet with the two buttons in the middle of the plug, one is for test, and one is for re-set) in your garage or in your bathrooms and make sure the reset button is pushed. If that does not work, please call your Quality Assurance Superintendent.

Question: Who do I call if I have concerns with my communities common areas?

Answer: Your community management company, or the representative from your Association’s Board of Directors, is the contact for these areas of concern. You can also contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent

Question: When should I change my furnace filter and where can I find the size of my filter?

Answer: It is recommended to change your filter once a month. You can find the size on the side of the filter currently in your HVAC (furnace) system.

Question: Are bees or other insects covered by my warranty?

Answer: Insects are a responsibility of the homeowner and are common in our everyday life. We recommend keeping in a safe place some insect repellant in case you see some around your home.

Question: Is it okay to pressure wash the exterior of my home?

Answer: Yes, it is okay to pressure wash the exterior of your home. However, we recommend setting the pressure washer on low and to spray your home directly while standing about 6 feet away. Be sure to keep the sprayer tip straight to ensure that you do not tear the siding off. Using a low setting and spraying directly while standing away from the home will decrease the chance of the water entering through siding or wood seams.

Question: What is my warranty period with Crosswinds? What is the 2-10 Warranty?

Answer: Crosswinds Limited Warranty is for workmanship for twelve months from your closing date. The 2-10 warranty covers mechanical systems for year 2 and structural items for years 1-10. Please be sure to review your 2-10 booklet for complete coverage details.

Question: Does my home have final grading?

Answer: Yes, in most cases other than the winter months your home will have final ROUGH grade. In order to obtain the final Certificate of Occupancy, the grade will have been inspected by the local building department. If you close during the winter months, your final grade will be established by the end of the next June. However, this is a final ROUGH grade which sets the contours of your yard for proper drainage. It is not meant to be a finish grade on which you can immediately plant seed and/or sod. Your landscaper will need to touch up the grade without changing the contours of the grade in order to get the yard ready for planting. Please note also that the longer the yard is not seeded / sodded from the time of closing the more finish grading that will be required because every time it rains, you will experience significant erosion on the final rough grade.

Question: The garbage disposal is not working. What is the warranty?

Answer: Before you look at your warranty, try the following:

1. Turn off the disposal by flipping the switch plate above your counter to off.

2. Check the bottom of the disposal for the re-set button, push it once.

3. Turn the disposal switch to on. If the disposal now works, you are done.

4. If there is a humming noise, the blades may be stuck. Turn the disposal back off. Take the manual wrench and insert it in the bottom center of the disposal, turn the wrench a couple of times and see if that works. You will find your manual wrench taped to the disposal or in your kitchen drawer.

5. Take a flashlight and look down into the disposal. If something is stuck, make sure the disposal is turned off and use a wrench or other tool to lift it out.

6. If that doesn’t work, please call you Quality Assurance Superintendent.

7. Your warranty is for one year on your disposal. If a question arises after one year, you may contact ISE (In-Sink Erator) directly at www.insinkerator.com.

Question: My fireplace has an odor when I turn it on?

Answer: The fireplace has a coating from the manufacturing process, and the coating is burning off. It is recommended to have the fireplace on for 12 hours to reduce the smell. It is best to do this during the first month of moving into your new home. Please keep in mind, some odor may still be present after, which is normal.

Question: What should I use to clean my hardwood floor?

Answer: If you have the Bruce Hardwood, please use Dura-Luster. If you have Shaw Hardwood, please use Shaw’s EverClean. If you need these products, both are available at AR Kramer Flooring (734) 522-5300.

Question: Do I need to be at my home to have warranty services performed?

Answer: Yes, we require the homeowner or an approved adult to be home for warranty services performed on the interior of the home. We can not enter the home without an adult present.

Question: What causes drywall cracks and nail pops?

Answer: Your home will settle during the first year as it settles into the ground it is built on. Also, your home will go though various temperature changes with the four seasons. These factors contribute to the drywall cracking and nail pops at the wall and ceiling corners (inside and outside corners). This is common in every home built in the northern climate.

Question: Does Crosswinds paint after the 11 month inspection drywall repairs?

Answer: Crosswinds does not repaint those areas. Most homeowner’s are ready to paint the interior of their home in the color of their choice. Please keep in mind after the nail pops and cracks are repaired, we recommend sanding the areas lightly and apply a coat of latex primer. Priming helps seal the drywall patch and helps the finish coat bond to the surface.

Question: Is the 2-10 warranty transferable?

Answer: Yes, the warranty automatically transfers with the home ownership.

Question: Will Crosswinds match the exact color of a product that has been repaired/replaced in my home (i.e. siding, paint, and brick)?

Answer: We will use the same specified product, but we are unable to guarantee that it will match perfectly. This is due to various dye lots associated with adding color to building materials.

Question: What can I do about snow and ice on my driveway and walks?

Answer: Keeping them clear of snow will deter ice build up. If ice builds up, kitty litter or sand works well without damaging the concrete.

Question: How long is the warranty for a street tree or other landscaping?

Answer: One year from your closing date.

Question: Can I have someone else do the repairs on the home and just give Crosswinds the bill instead of having your QAS department do the work?

Answer: We do not recommend you paying to have items fixed on your home. Part of the benefit of home ownership with Crosswinds is our warranty service. We ask that you allow Crosswinds to inspect and take the appropriate course of action to fix the warrantable item.

Question: What happens if I do not submit my 45 day warranty concern request list within 45 days?

Answer: We will still honor your request. Just contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent.

Question: I have something that is really bothering me. Do I need to wait until my 45 day or 11 month warranty period?

Answer: We are more than happy to take care of any warrantable items that may be bothering you. Just contact your Quality Assurance Superintendent.

Question: How soon can I expect to hear back when I call or send in a warranty request?

Answer: Phone calls are returned within 4 hours during business hours or the next business day if the call is made after 5 pm. Email requests are responded to within 24 hours of receipt.

Question: How long should it take to get a repair completed?

Answer: Typically repairs will be completed in less than 10 days, unless a part has to be ordered, and then it may take longer. If a part has to be ordered, we will give you an approximate date of delivery.