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Caring For Your AMERICAN LEGEND HOME Caring For Your
AMERICAN LEGEND HOME


AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE

Since the air conditioning system is combined with the heating system, the maintenance
suggested for your furnace should be followed. In addition, the manufacturers use and care
booklet specifies maintenance for the condenser unit. This should be reviewed and followed.
Refer to your Warranty Service Request form for the service provider.

Air conditioning can add much to the comfort of your home, but it can be used improperly or
inefficiently, resulting in wasted energy and frustration. These hints and suggestions are
provided to help you maximize your air conditioning system.

Whole-House System
To fully and efficiently utilize your air conditioning system, you must understand that it is a total,
whole-house system. The air conditioner unit is the mechanism in your home which produces
cooler air. The air conditioning system involves everything inside your home including, for
example, drapes and window coverings.

Closed System
Your home air conditioning is a closed system, which means that the interior air is continually
recycled and cooled until the desired air temperature is reached. Warm outside air disrupts the
system and makes cooling impossible. Therefore, you must keep all windows closed. The heat
from the sun shining through the windows with open drapes is intense enough to overcome the
cooling effect of the air conditioning unit. Drapes must be closed on these windows.

Time
Time is of paramount importance in your expectations of an air conditioning system. Unlike a
light bulb which reacts instantly when you turn on a switch, the air conditioning unit only begins
a process when you set the thermostat.

For example, if you come home at 5:30 p.m. on a day when the temperature has reached 90
degrees, and set your thermostat to 75 degrees, the unit will begin cooling, but will take much
longer to reach the desired temperature because during the day the sun has been heating the air
in the house, the walls, the carpet, and the furniture.

At 5:30 p.m. the air conditioning unit starts cooling the air, but the walls, carpet, and furniture
release heat and nullify this cooling. By the time the air conditioning unit has cooled the walls,
carpet, and furniture, you may well have lost patience.

Evening Cooling
If evening cooling is the primary goal, you should set the air conditioning thermostat at a
moderate temperature in the morning while the house is cooler, allowing the unit to maintain the
cooler temperature throughout the day.

The temperature setting may then be lowered slightly when you arrive home, with better results.
Setting the thermostat at 60 degrees will NOT cool the home any faster and can result in the
system freezing up and not performing at all. Extended use under these conditions can damage
the unit.
Adjust Vents
You will find it advantageous to adjust the cooling vents to maximize air flow to occupied parts of
the home. (Likewise, when the seasons change, it will probably be necessary to adjust them for
comfortable heating.)

Filter
Remember to change, clean, or check the air conditioning filter monthly. A clogged filter can slow
airflow and cause uneven airflow in your home. Although it takes less that one minute to change
the filter, this is one of the most frequently overlooked details of normal air conditioner care. Buy
filters in large quantity for the sake of convenience.

Compressor Level
It is important to maintain the A/C compressor in a level position. Do not place any landscaping
material that would restrict airflow around the compressor.

Condensate Line
The primary condensate line allows condensate to drain from the air conditioning system. Should
the primary condensate line become clogged, and the secondary line begins to drip, contact a
professional to service it immediately.

Annual Inspection
To keep your air conditioning/heating system operating at maximum efficiency, you should have
it checked and serviced by a professional at least once a year.



ANTIQUE/POLISHED BRASS MAINTENANCE

Polished brass fixtures are factory treated with a clear protective coating to provide beauty and
durability. However this coating has limitations and will eventually deteriorate. This is not a
defect but a normal process, which is unavoidable. Antiques brass is manufactured to appear
weathered; therefore, the effects of aging will be less visible than that of polished brass fixtures.

Both polished brass and antique brass fixtures will experience tarnishing as the natural oxidation
of contact with air and moisture. This oxidation is visible as dark spots on the surface of your
brass fixtures. To prevent premature tarnishing, manufacturers recommend polishing your
fixtures with a light coat of wax as soon as possible after installation. A non-abrasive furniture or
automotive wax works well for this purpose. (Be sure that the wax you use is also non-solvent,
non-acidic and non-alcoholic.) When the wax has dried, wipe the fixture in a circular motion,
using a soft clean cloth.

Clear furniture polish may be applied every other month to maintain a shine on polished brass.
To maintain a good finish, you should wax antique brass fixtures once each year and polished
brass fixtures twice each year.

If you wish to clean your brass fixtures periodically, be sure to use a NON-ABRASIVE cleanser.
Household cleaners that contain abrasives, ammonia, bleaches, or chemical solvents will rapidly
deteriorate the finish. Initial care for these products requires only a periodic cleaning with mild,
non-abrasive soap and buffing with a soft cloth. When peeling, spotting or discoloration occurs,
you can restore the beauty of the metal by completely removing the remaining coating and hand
polishing the item with a suitable brass polish. Applying a light coat of wax and buffing with a
soft cloth will renew and maintain the gloss of the brass surface. If discoloration reappears,
repeat the cleaning, polishing and waxing process. To protect your brass fixtures from tarnishing, as well as other damages, keep any sharp or metal
objects, masking tape, adhesives and abrasive or chemical cleaners away from brass hardware.
Always remove any brass fixtures before painting. Wet paint can cause tarnishing. Be sure that
all paint is completely dry and cured before reinstalling the hardware.



ATTIC ACCESS

The attic space is not intended for storage. Access is provided for the purpose of maintaining
mechanical equipment that may traverse the attic space. When performing any needed tasks in
the attic, caution should be used not to step off wood members onto the drywall. This can result
in personal injury or damage to the ceiling below.



BRICK MAINTENANCE

After several years, face bricks may require tuck-pointing (repairing the mortar between the
bricks). Otherwise, no regular maintenance is required.



CABINETS MAINTENANCE

Products such as lemon oil, Liquid Gold and Old English Furniture Polish and Scratch Cover are
recommended to car for cabinets. Follow container directions; do not use more than once a
month to protect against excessive build-up. Avoid paraffin-based spray waxes or washing
cabinets with water, as both will damage the luster of the finish.

Hinge
If hinges catch, or drawer glides become sluggish, a small amount of lubricant will improve their
action.

Color, Style
Your color selection sheets are your record of the style and color of cabinets in your home.



CAULKING MAINTENANCE

Time and weather will shrink caulking and dry it out so that it no longer provides a good seal
against moisture and air infiltration. As a matter of routine maintenance, it is wise to check the
caulking and make repairs as needed. A tube of caulking is provided in your paint touch-up kit.
Caulking compounds and dispenser guns are available at hardware stores.

Silicone Caulk
Caulking that contains silicone will not accept paint but works best where water is present, for
example, where tub meets tile or a sink meets a countertop.

Acrylic/Latex Caulk
Acrylic/Latex caulking is appropriate for an area that requires painting, for example, where a
countertop backsplash meets the wall.
Colored Caulk
Colored caulking is available where larger selections are provided.


CEILING FANS MAINTENANCE

Ceiling fans will give you extended, trouble-free service if a small amount of maintenance is
performed. All ceiling fans are installed by screwing a threaded part of the extension into the fan
housing. A set screw can become loose causing the housing to unscrew and the fan to fall.
Periodic tightening of the set screw will prevent this problem.



CERAMIC TILE MAINTENANCE

Cleaning
The ceramic tile installed on walls or countertops in your home may be washed with any non-
abrasive soap or detergent; abrasive cleaners will dull the finish. This includes mild abrasive
liquid cleaners.

Separations
Tile around bathtubs or countertops may appear to be pulling up after a time. Th