The standard driveway is a two-stage asphalt paved driveway completed with a base and finish top coat (as per your Schedule “B”). It's covered for one year against demonstrated defects in work or the material we have supplied.

Asphalt is a flexible and specialized surface. Like any other surface in your home, it requires protection. Over time the effects of weather and earth movement will cause minor settling and cracking. These are normal reactions to the elements and do not mean the asphalt was improperly installed or that defective materials were used.

" It’s important to avoid using your driveway for one week after it is paved. Please keep people, bicycles, lawn mowers and any other traffic off. "

Watering down your paveway on hot days will help cure it sooner,

Some suggestions for repairing

slight cracks include:

• Roughening the edges of the cracks if they are smooth
• Cleaning out loose material and dirt
• Wetting the surrounding concrete around the crack and filling the cracks with patching cement slightly higher than the crack to allow for shrinkage

Once every two to five years you will also want to reseal your driveway. Resealing means applying a thin coat of asphalt sealer on top of the existing driveway, which not only protects it but also makes it more aestheti- cally appealing.

Care should be exercised to prevent spillage of gas- oline, motor oil or other solvents that would damage and dissolve the asphalt. If a spill does occur, immedi- ate action is necessary to prevent permanent structural and/or aesthetic damage. Steps include:

• Using absorbent material to remove excess spilled substance
• Flushing the surface with water from a hose to wash away and/or dilute the product spilled
• Using a mild household detergent with a degreaser and a soft brush with non- metallic bristles to thoroughly scrub the spill area, then re-rinsing with water

Cracks

Foundation and basement walls are subject to many stresses and strains and may naturally crack during their curing due to shrinkage. Cracks are usually located at corners, beam pockets and basement windows

Surface cracks, which occur from normal shrinkage, are considered acceptable as they do not affect the strength of the walls. As such, they’re not covered by the warranty. (Note that you can repair surface cracks using a waterproof, non-shrink grout.)

On the other hand, cracks in excess of 6mm or leaking will be repaired within the Two-Year Warranty

Leaks

Foundation leaks that occur within the two-year war- ranty period will be repaired. However, leaks caused by one of the following are excluded from the warranty:

• Improper maintenance
• Exterior grade alterations you made, or an act of God or failure of municipality services or other utility services

Should there be a leak, we recommend you take imme- diate steps to prevent damage to your property. You should also report any losses to your insurance provider.

If you don't maintain adequate ventilation in your home, dampness or condensation may occur, causing damage to your home. You can reduce moisture lev- els in the air by using a dehumidifier and by closing the windows to prevent the humid air outside from enter- ing. You can also increase ventilation by running the furnace fan and air conditioner as required.

Parging

Parging is applied around the visible areas of the foun- dation. Please note that hairline cracks resulting from normal drying and shrinkage of materials following construction are considered normal and are not cov- ered by the statutory warranty. A slight variation in the colour or texture of repaired areas is acceptable.

Well-designed landscaping prevents erosion and pro- tects the foundation of your home. It’s your responsi- bility to maintain landscaping.

Sod

You're also responsible for watering and nurturing your sod after it’s installed and your home has closed. Sod that is alive when installed and subsequently dies will not be replaced. Nor is sod that dies due to improper maintenance included in the statutory warranty.

If no one is home during the day of installation, please leave your hoses and sprinklers accessible to our sod contractor. Ensure your exterior taps are in working order and your valve is turned on in the basement to allow water to the hose bib.

If you find gaps in between pieces of sod, this is usually due to not enough watering. Adding top soil and grass seed in between these pieces will help it grow back together and provide a more uniform look. Please note we are not required to repair these areas.

Tips

• • Water your lawn frequently and avoid watering in the hot sun. It’s best to water in the early morning. Watering later in the day creates a shallow root system and makes the lawn susceptible to burning
• If it’s 25°C or higher, the sod must be watered every day. If you're going away, ask a neighbour to water your lawn for you to promote root development
• When the sod is first laid, it should be watered generously for 3 days. During the first month, we recommend that you minimize walking on sodded areas, especially drainage- related areas such as side swales. This will prevent ponding caused by footprints
• After the initial 3-day “soaking period,” your lawn should be watered for about two hours a day in the early morning for approximately one week. Please avoid over-watering your lawn because saturation of sod can be just as deadly as lack of water
• Your lawn should be cut initially two to three weeks after being laid; however, to avoid the risk of lawn burning, it should not be cut too short
• Avoid walking on freshly laid sod. The topsoil underneath is soft from watering, so footprints could cause damage. We recommend you re-roll your sod in the following spring
• Do not fertilize fresh sod that has already been fertilized at the sod farms. It's best to wait until the following season or even until the next year
• Please note that the establishment of your lawn and any damage resulting from improper maintenance is the homeowner's responsibility (i.e. dead sod, weed maintenance). Please also note that Empire Communities is not responsible for rodent damage, insect infestation or disease to lawns
• Beautiful lawns are the result of TLC — Tender Loving Care

Trees

Trees are a part of the subdivision agreement with the municipality and are the property of that particular municipality. The trees planted by Empire Communities are guaranteed under warranty for one year. However, it’s your responsibility to:

• Avoid planting any flowers or shrubs at the base of any tree
• Ensure the base is covered by lots of soil
• Make sure the tree is watered frequently and fertilized in the spring
• Protect it in the winter with plastic tree guards

Flowerbeds

Please ensure your flowerbeds are at least 6” below the brick line to avoid affecting the grading or brick- work of the house

Also remember that if you leave the ground un-land- scaped, it will erode. Correcting any erosion that occurs after closing is your responsibility.

Locksets are factory-finished with a clear protective “brilliance” coating that is electronically applied and very durable.

• Use warm soapy water to clean door hardware and locks
• Lubricate door with graphite or other waterproof lubricant, as oil will gum up
• Do not use solvent-based cleaners as they will eat away the finish
• Eventually the coating will wear off and the brass will tarnish. You can restore the appearance by polishing with a brassware- cleaning compound. Follow the same procedure with other brass hardware

Your colour selection sheets are your record of the paint colours used in your home.

Painted surfaces must be washed gently using mild soap and as little water as possible. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or scrub brushes. Flat paints show washing marks more easily than glossy paints.

Avoid having sprinklers spray water on the exterior walls of your home. This will cause blistering, peeling, splintering and other damages to your home.

Please note that exterior painting is done only once. Also, as sunlight can affect paint over time, it’s your responsibility to maintain it.

Flat Roofs

Flat roofs found on balconies may have standing water. Flat roofs are typically slow to drain, so they are designed to handle exposure to standing water over a short term period. Some standing water is normal and should generally dissipate after a few days.

Ice Buildup

Ice and icicles are a natural occurrence on roofs. They occur when the roof surface is warm enough to melt the snow, but the air temperature is cold enough to refreeze the melted water. Professional removal of buildups of ice and snow can help reduce the likeli- hood of water leaks. This is not warranted and it’s your responsibility to clean off the excess snow or ice.

Shingles

The shingles carry a limited manufacturer's warranty. There are no recommended chemical treatments that will protect your roof from the sun, wind, rain and snow. Keeping the roof free of fallen debris is your best pro- tection against these elements.

Clean your roof and eavestroughs periodically or at least once a year. You can use a broom to remove debris such as leaves and tree branches. This process will keep moisture from seeping into the shingles and causing leaks that can lead to long-term damage.

Water leakage resulting from improper maintenance or an act of God is excluded from the statutory warranty. Secondary damage to property resulting from water penetration is also excluded from the statutory warranty.

Per the statutory warranty, roof shingles are covered for one year. Severe weather and wind gusts can some- times exceed the design limitations of the shingles. Winds in excess of 100km per hour may cause shingles to blow off. You should perform maintenance repairs immediately to prevent leakage that can cause serious damage to the interior. Storm-related damage is not the responsibility of Empire Communities.

Surface

Slight variations may be observed in the roof’s surface. This may be a “puckering” of the plywood or the rais- ing of shingles between nails caused by normal expan- sion. Due to extremes in temperature, these variations cannot be prevented. If you decide to install a satellite or wireless system through the roof/shingles, we can- not be held responsible for any damage or water pen- etration in this area.

As the homeowner, you are responsible for arranging and paying for your own alarm system. The alarm mon- itoring company will usually provide any alarm system training required as per your necessities.

Your attic is sufficiently ventilated to provide good air exchange. However, we strongly recommended that you check after each heavy snow storm to remove any snow that has seeped through the vents before melt- ing occurs. Damage to interior finishes resulting from this condition is not warrantable.

It's very important not to use this space as storage — the added weight may cause deflection and ceil- ing cracks, interfere with the insulation and air barriers and interrupt moisture resistance.

If you selected wood or wood veneer cabinets, expect differences in grain and colour between and within the cabinet components due to natural variations in the wood and the way it takes to stain. Cherry wood doors will have minor pits in the wood. Thermofoil doors will peel if subjected to heat or steam. Make sure you keep the stove vents on when cooking and keep kettles, cof- fee makers, slow cookers and toasters away from the cabinets when in use, also avoiding contact with steam.

Damage to cabinet surfaces and warping can result from operating appliances that generate large amounts of moisture (such as a crock pot) and that are too close to the cabinets. When operating such appli- ances, place them in a location that is not directly under the cabinets.

Any damage to cabinets must be noted on the Pre- Delivery Inspection form to ensure your warranty coverage.

• Use a mild non-abrasive soap and a damp cotton cloth to clean your cabinetry. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or bleaching agents. Do not use too much water as excess water can damage your cabinets, which is not covered under your warranty
• Never hang damp cloths or dishtowels over cabinet doors, as the moisture can cause permanent peeling and discolouration. Excessive home humidity may warp cabinet doors. Smoke from cigarettes or pipes can also discolour cabinets
• From time to time, the screws on the cabinet door hinges may come loose. Use a screwdriver to adjust and tighten the doors

Caulking and grouting has been applied around tubs, sinks, countertops and thresholds to help prevent water from penetrating to the wood or drywall sur- faces beneath.

You should conduct periodic inspection and mainte- nance, as all caulking and grouting will degrade over time. This may lead to water leakage and result in dam- age to walls, floors and ceilings, so we strongly recom- mend you re-caulk as needed. Remember to remove old caulking before reapplying.

Caulking compounds and dispenser guns are available at your local hardware store. (Different types are listed below.) Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to be certain that you select an appropriate caulk for the intended purpose. It’s your responsibility to main- tain caulking or silicone. Any damage caused will not be the responsibility of Empire Communities.

• Coloured caulking: Coloured caulking is available where larger selections are provided. As with any coloured material, dye lots can vary
• Latex caulking: Latex caulking is appropriate for the area that requires painting, such as along the stair stringer or where the wood trim meets that wall
• Silicone caulking: Caulking that contains silicone will not accept paint. It works best where water is present, for example where the tub meets tile or the sink meets the countertop
• Exterior caulking: Areas that require regular re-caulking include windows, doors, exterior penetrations, eavestrough corners and metal roof flashings at brick

As a result of new and improved building practices, new homes are tighter, better sealed and better insu- lated. However, these improvements have the by-prod- uct of increasing the humidity in your home.

When uncontrolled, excess humidity can cause stain- ing, rotting and mold. That's why steps should be taken to reduce the relative humidity (RH) as soon as exces- sive condensation occurs on inside window surfaces. (Humidity indicators are available at your local hard- ware store.)

To reduce excess moisture, you can control the mois- ture sources or increase ventilation.

Basements frequently experience condensation in the summer, which can be reduced with a dehumidifier.

The following steps will help control

the levels of humidity:

• Make sure you use your Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system; you may need to keep turning it up until the humidity subsides
• Turn on additional exhaust fans (in the master ensuite, powder room, kitchen, etc.) and always have them on when cooking, bathing or washing
• Turn furnace fan control on thermostat to the “on” position to promote internal air circulation throughout the house
• Leave the window slightly open to allow fresh, cooler air into your home
• • Open all drapes, blinds and curtains to encourage air circulation and reduce condensation. Do not keep blinds and heavy drapery over the windows during the day

Each plumbing fixture in your home has a “J”-shaped drain trap designed to provide a water barrier between your home and sewer gas. The trap holds water, which prevents airborne bacteria and odours from entering your home. These traps can become clogged, with grease and loose hair build-ups being the most com- mon reasons.

• Use a plunger to build pressure in the pipe and thus force materials causing the clog to dissipate and drain out the trap
• If this fails, you can also use a drain de-clogger such as Liquid Plumber and follow the instructions. (Never pour grease into a drain or toilet as this will cause stopped-up drains)

The electrical components of your home are all CSA- approved, professionally installed and inspected by the local Ontario Hydro inspection department. The wiring meets the Health and Safety standards of the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Hydro. It's also suited for standard household electrical appliances.

We recommend you familiarize yourself with the loca- tion of the breaker panel, as it includes a main shut OFF that controls all the electrical power to the home.

Breakers

Circuit breakers have three positions: ON, OFF and tripped

When a circuit breaker trips, it must first be turned OFF before it can be turned back on. Switching the breaker directly from tripped to on will not restore service.

Individual breakers control separate circuits. Each breaker is marked to help you identify which breaker is connected to which major appliances, outlets or other services. Should a failure occur in any part of your home, always check the breakers in the main panel box.

Circuit breakers protect electrical wiring from over- loading. Frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blown fuses could result from faulty appliances and should be investigated.

Arc-default breakers are found in bedrooms. They help protect your home against faulty cords of light fixtures and electronic equipment.

Breaker Tripping

Breakers trip due to overloads caused by plugging too many appliances into the circuit, a worn cord or defec- tive appliance, or operating an appliance with too high voltage requirement for the circuit. The starting of an electric motor can also trip the breaker.

Wipe faucets as needed with a soft, damp cloth and use only warm water to remove dry water spots. Do not use cleaners that contain abrasives or harsh chem- icals, as this will only damage the finish and void the warranty. Some faucets may in time require that the cartridge be changed. Most manufactures will ship one to your home.

Using your fireplace in the safest, most efficient way possible entails reading the manufacturer's literature provided to you.

Natural Gas Fireplace

When your fireplace is initially lit, the curing of metal parts will cause a peculiar odour. This is normal and will diminish after about eight hours of burning time. It's also normal for the glass to fog up the first few times you use the fireplace. Please keep this area well ventilated.

Glass doors can be removed, providing access to clean the glass and re-arrange the logs. To do this, loosen the two screws at either end of the grill. Two larger screws will be visible at the top of the glass; remove them to allow the glass to tilt out approximately 30 degrees. The glass can be removed entirely by pulling upwards while in the tilted position.

A soft cloth with clear water may be used to wipe the fireplace glass. Glass cleaner and similar cleaning prod- ucts should not be used on tempered glass as they

may cause damage. Caution should be exercised when using combustible cleaning products near an illumi- nated pilot light.

Electric Fireplace

Electric fireplaces are among the safest varieties to have in your home, but they still require care and main- tenance for proper functioning. The unit should be inspected regularly to make sure that the thermostat is working properly and that the inside of the unit is clean.

The following tips will allow you to enjoy a warm, cozy fire in a clean, safe fireplace:

• Although you do not have to clean an electric fire- place like you would a chimney fireplace, you will want to clean inside and out with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and other particles that may create fire hazards
• Fireplaces should not be used as furnaces. Use a fire- place for a short-duration fire (no longer than five hours)
• Flammable objects need to be removed from the area surrounding the electric fireplace
• Avoid placing your electric fireplace near a water source. Fish tanks, water heaters and sinks are par- ticularly dangerous

If you maintain your electrical fireplace accordingly, you will enjoy many years of ambient lighting and clean heat.

Ceramic tiles are relatively easy to maintain using the following tips:

• Cleaning tiles regularly prevents staining. Use a damp mop to clean the tiles and avoid adding detergent/cleaners to the water. If you feel a cleaning agent is required, use warm water and avery mild dish detergent. Rinse thoroughly
• Do not use vinegar as a cleaning agent for ceramic tiles, as it will slowly destroy the glazing of the ceramic tile
• Be cautious when purchasing “tile and grout” cleaners. Many of them are simply bleach and may have the tendency to erode the colour consistency of the coloured grout
• Make sure there are no blows from a heavy object as this may cause chipping or scratching
• The joints between the tiles are waterproof as long as the grout used has not deteriorated, so you should use a grout sealer annually to treat your surroundings. To protect the grout from staining, you can apply a coat of sealer to the entire floor

lf repairs are required to your ceramics or grout, slight variations between dye lots of similar materials within a specified colour or pattern are normal and acceptable as per Tarion. Slight variations in grout colour are to be expected when making repairs. If you purchased a colour grout, we recommend you use a colour-enhanc- ing sealer over the grout for better and longer wear.

Concrete

Concrete floors are covered under warranty to be free of defects in workmanship. This includes concrete floors in the basement and garage. Hairline shrinkage cracks are non-structural and cosmetic in nature, so they're not considered to be warranty repair issues. As per Tarion , cracks in garage floor slab in excess of 6

mm are covered under year end warranty and for base- ment floor slab, 4mm. Painting the flooring with proper concrete floor paint helps keep dust down.

Hardwood Hardwood is a durable flooring material. If cared for properly, it can last a lifetime. Proper care entails:

• Regularly sweeping or vacuuming dirt and grit from the floor, then cleaning it with a damp mop
• Using a mild detergent, if necessary, while avoiding harsh detergents or large quantities of water, as these may harm the finish or the wood. (Never leave water standing on your hardwood floors. Standing water is especially likely to go unnoticed under fixtures, appliances or any other areas where condensation, dripping or leaking may occur)
• Maintaining an indoor humidity level between 35 and 45 percent, which will prevent the floor from cupping. This can be achieved through the use of ventilation, air conditioning, humidification and dehumidification

Wood floors may tend to shrink somewhat in the months after construction, as the wood adjusts to the conditions of the home. Seasonal changes will also affect wood, whose natural water content will vary with the humidity in the house. The following occurrences are normal:

• Minor gaps between the boards in dry conditions (gaps of 2mm or less are not covered under warranty)
• The swelling of boards in conditions of high humidity, as well as a slightly corrugated appearance when the floor is viewed in the direction of a light source

Although your floor will adjust easily to seasonal changes in humidity, long periods of high humidity or too much direct exposure to water can seriously affect the floor.

Any hardwood damages not noted on your PDI will not be covered under warranty by Empire Communities..

Laminate

Although laminate is a durable flooring material, we still recommend you regularly sweep dirt and grit from the floor, then clean it with a damp mop. You should also avoid harsh detergents and large quantities of water, as these may harm the finish. Never leave stand- ing water on your floor.

Floor Squeaks

Empire Communities endeavors to be very proactive during construction in an effort to minimize squeaks by nailing, screwing and sanding the floors before car- pet, ceramics or hardwood are laid. But as is the case in virtually all new dwellings, a squeak-free floor may not be attainable. Squeaks resulting from normal shrinkage of materials caused by drying after construction are excluded from Tarion’s statutory warranty. If a repair is deemed necessary we will attempt to fix the area once only. (Please remove furniture from the area before the repair appointment takes place.)

Extended low-humidity indoor environments can cause excessive shrinkage in the wood resulting in loose floor connections. You should maintain adequate indoor humidity levels to prevent excessive drying out of materials.

The GFI is a safety feature that is mandatory for bath- rooms and exterior electrical outlets. It interrupts the electrical power in the event of exposure to water, which prevents electrocution.

A GFI function may be handled by a separate breaker on the electrical panel. If your home is equipped with a whirlpool, the GFI will be a separate breaker on the electrical panel.

If the GFI is a separate breaker on the electrical panel, there will be three positions: ON, OFF and neutral. To reset a tripped breaker, move the breaker all the way to the OFF position and then all the way to the ON position.

Your home has been designed with an insulation pack- age that matches your particular set of climatic condi- tions. No maintenance should be required as long as your insulation is not disturbed.

Please note that the basement wrap insulation is com- pressed and meant to get damp due to concrete con- densation. It will not mold. If you find areas that are wetter than others, cut the wrap (dehumidify) and once dry, tape with red insulation tape.

Nail pops are a result of the construction materials ina house drying and the natural settling of a house over time. If your walls have nails popping back out, or if the nail head itself is actually showing, rest assured that this is a natural occurrence. You can fix it in a day with a hammer, a putty knife and a paintbrush. (Please note it’s your responsibility to sand and paint after a nail pop repair.)

Although the plumbing system and fixtures have been installed by a professional plumber, the majority of maintenance tasks are simple enough that you can complete them without professional help

• Shut off exterior taps in the wintertime. Failure to do so could result in the pipes freezing and broken water lines. We recommend you bleed them by opening the bleeder valves in the fall in preparation for the winter. Also, remove hoses during cold weather, even if the faucet is located in your garage. Otherwise, the water inside the hose can freeze and expand back into the pipe, causing a break in the line. Repairs would be your responsibility
• Don’t use toilets as garbage bins. The main cause of toilet clogs are domestic items such as diapers, excessive amounts of toilet paper, sanitary supplies, Q-tips, dental floss and children’s toys
• You can repair a dripping faucet by shutting off the water at the valve directly under the sink, then removing the faucet stem, changing the washer and reinstalling the faucet stem. The showerhead is repaired the same way. Replace the washer with another one of the same type and size. (Minimize the frequency of this repair by remembering not to turn the faucets off with excessive force)
• Don’t mistake condensation on water supply lines for a leaking pipe. Condensation generally occurs when there is high indoor humidity and the warm moist air in the house comes in contact with the cold water lines

We recommend you read over the manufacturer's manual.

Check your smoke detectors monthly to make sure they function properly. If it’s battery-operated and is not working, verify that the battery isn’t dead.

If it’s an electric powered model, verify that the con- nection has not been severed or that the circuit breaker is not on.

Dust can also contribute to the smoke detector mal- functioning. Vacuum the smoke detectors to remove any excess dust.

We recommend you read over the manufacturer's manual.

Check your smoke detectors monthly to make sure they function properly. If it’s battery-operated and is not working, verify that the battery isn’t dead.

If it’s an electric powered model, verify that the con- nection has not been severed or that the circuit breaker is not on.

Dust can also contribute to the smoke detector mal- functioning. Vacuum the smoke detectors to remove any excess dust.

The thermostat helps keep your home's temperature even throughout. We recommend setting the ther- mostat between 21 to 22°C for heating and 25°C for cooling.

A common problem is that the upstairs rooms are too cold in the winter, although the ground floor is not. This happens because the thermostat is located on the ground floor, so it's the temperature on that level that determines when the furnace starts and how long it operates. The solution is to regulate the dampers on the warm air ducts for the ground floor, so that the input of heated air is directed to the second floor. Additional control of air can be achieved by remov- ing the warm air register, reaching just inside the duct and adjusting the damper. (Beware of sharp points and edges.)

Shrinkage of trim work may occur, depending on tem- perature and humidity. Lumber is more vulnerable to shrinkage during the warmer seasons. It’s important to maintain a moderate and stable temperature to help minimize the effects of shrinkage. Wood shrinkage can result in separation at joints of trim pieces. You can cor- rect this with dap and touch-up painting.