LGI Homes

The area lights around your new LGI home are for safety and aesthetics.  They may be controlled by photo cells mounted on the side of your house or on the light unit itself.  Your lighting may also be controlled by wall switches located in your home.

It is important to always use the correct bulbs.  Do not exceed the bulb wattage recommended for the fixture.  Use exterior light bulbs for exterior fixtures and wet location light bulbs appropriately.

Recommended Maintenance

Monthly

• Look for and replace burned out bulbs.

Quarterly

• Clean the encasement so light can shine at full illumination.
• Ensure that mounting screws and plates are tight and wall plate is fully against the exterior wall or soffit.  Inspect sealant at joints between light fixtures and walls.  Repair or replace the sealant as needed.

Effects of deferred maintenance such as water and lack of cleaning will diminish the attractiveness and function of exterior light fixtures.

Homecare tips and information provided by Compendia.

The landscape around your new LGI home plays an important-role in the overall beauty of your property, as well as helps to prevent erosion.  Well-maintained landscaping will help increase the value of your property.  Part four of our four part landscaping series discusses Walls and Fencing. 

There are several different types of walls and fencing found on residential properties.  Each type requires different maintenance tasks and frequencies.  However, no matter what kind of walls and fencing you have there are some common guidelines.

It is important to keep landscaping trimmed away from walls and fencing and always remember do not change the grade.  The grade of the ground next to a wall or fence has been designed by an engineer.  Changes may cause tilting and cracking, or cause wood fencing that comes in contact with soil to rot.  It is also important to prevent water from ponding near walls and fencing.  Water, especially reclaimed water, can cause premature deterioration of the wall and fencing materials.  Read the rest of this entry »

The landscape around your new LGI home plays an important-role in the overall beauty of your property, as well as helps to prevent erosion.  Well-maintained landscaping will help increase the value of your property.  Part three of our four part landscaping series discusses Plants.

The ground cover, turf, trees, and shrubs that were installed by LGI Homes when you purchased your new home were selected for their compatibility with each other, architectural, site and soil conditions.  They grow at varying rates depending on climate conditions, maintenance, and a host of other factors.  The important thing to keep in mind is that the landscaping is a dynamic, living system and proper care is critical for it to mature successfully.  When installing additional plants, it is important that the plants you choose are compatible with existing plants.  Read the rest of this entry »

The landscape around your new LGI home plays an important-role in the overall beauty of your property, as well as helps to prevent erosion.  Well-maintained landscaping will help increase the value of your property.  Part two of our four part landscaping maintenance series discusses Hardscape.

The hardscape around your home may include walkways, patios, and other concrete surfaces.  If you add a patio or walkway as an improvement there are several very important things to remember:

Drainage. Provide a drainpipe or other means of drainage when patios or walks cross flow lines.  Do not allow water to collect against your house or behind walks or planters.

Underground Utilities. Confirm the location of underground utilities prior to the planning and excavation of any hardscape features.

Expansion Joints. Concrete surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks and patios should generally have expansion joints every 100 square feet or 10 feet in each direction.  There should also be an expansion joint between the edge of these surfaces and the face of the foundation of the house.  These joints are sometimes filled with 1” x 4” treated lumber that is set between the adjacent concrete.  The joints can also be formed with a variety of sealants and or expansion joint filler.

Slope. Always slope concrete away from house (2% slope: ¼ inch drop for every 12 inches of length to drain or swale.

Get Necessary Approvals. Obtain necessary approvals and permits from appropriate governmental agencies and your HOA’s Architectural Control Committee.   Read the rest of this entry »

The landscape around your new LGI home plays an important-role in the overall beauty of your property, as well as helps to prevent erosion.  Well-maintained landscaping will help increase the value of your property.  Landscape maintenance is divided into four main categories: Drainage and Grading, Hardscape, Plants and Walls and Fencing.  Part one of our four part landscaping series discusses Drainage and Grading. 

Maintain proper drainage and grading to best protect your landscaping, home, and property from water damage.  Water is the #1 potential hazard to your home!  Be sure to keep the adjacent grad sloped away from your home to allow water to drain properly.

Your lot has been graded to facilitate drainage of water to the street or other approved drainage structures.  It is essential that you maintain proper grading and drainage to prevent pooling that could affect your foundation and slab.  

Preserve Drainage Design.  Landscaping or hardscaping additions that change slopes or grades can effect drainage.  Keep water moving away from your house.  Many communities are built so that water drains from yard to yard.  If you install landscaping or hardscaping (patios, walkways, or walls) that interfere with flow, you many create a significant problem and will be liable for damage.  Read the rest of this entry »