As we all know, like with any new build, every new home, whether brick built or timber built will experience aftersales issues due to the climate in the UK. As we are all aware one day we can be basking in high temperatures and the next, extremely cold. Due to the nature of the materials used in the construction of your new Oakgrove and as you enjoy your new home or lodge, with heating on and outside temperature changes, please expect there to be an element of shrinkage and these niggles will need to be addressed which fall under the umbrella of our Aftersales Procedure.
Shrinkage affects all new homes to a degree. This can cause hairline cracks on coving, door apertures and can even be seen on walls or you may experience a little movement to a door that will need adjusting. This is as expected and is nothing out of the ordinary and will settle down once your home has been in situ and it has been “lived in”.
You can minimise the effects of shrinkage by keeping your home or lodge well ventilated and not overheating it for at least the first 12 to 18 months.
Our Aftersales department pride themselves on their procedure to deal with your aftersales concerns once your beautiful new lodge or park home has been delivered to the park of your choice. We have specialists that will attend on a scheduled date and will ensure that everything that is identified is addressed for you.
See below for our procedure and what to expect.
Internal siters – Our specialist team of internal painters, decorators and finishers will finish your home internally and it is expected that a representative from the park will check with the team that everything is in order and sign your home off before occupancy. This is the “Handing Over Process” from ourselves to the park. The Park Representative will be invited to your new property and a walk through of each room will commence.
During the “Handing Over Process” any damages must be reported by the park within 5 days of delivery or as soon as the home has been finished (whichever is first) before you move into you new lodge. This will enable us to replace anything required. Please bear with us as we are at the hands of our suppliers and any items may follow your move in date. Rest Assured they will be delivered for you to enjoy as soon as possible.
An Overview to Oakgrove After Sales Once your New Lodge Arrives.
During the first 12 months, we will visit your lodge twice, once at Stage 1 (after initial move in) and once towards the end of your 12 month occupancy.
We endeavour to keep our visits to a minimum so that you can enjoy your lovely new lodge without constant interruptions to your every day lives. We will keep the park informed along the way, who will in turn, let you know when your aftersales visit is scheduled for. If after this visit there are outstanding issues to be resolved, a further visit may be required and will be arranged as soon as possible.
Stage 1
After move in – You may find minor cracking, you may find minor blemishes. Blemishes in the plaster can be expected as no dry lined wall will ever be perfect and this will give character to your new lodge.
Please give at least 6 weeks after move in to report any aftersales to your park representative. This will give the lodge time to settle and begin the “living in process” with changes in temperature internally and externally. Your Park Representative will then report these issues to our After Sales Team who will schedule a date to visit.
Please bear with us as we order any items required. We sell many lodges each year and the scheduling process is a process of technical planning for our team, to ensure the very best at all times.
Stage 2
During the First Year of Occupancy – After your first After Sales visit and as you live in your new lodge, keep a log of any further aftersales that you may find. Your Park Representative will ask for an up-to-date list of these items at your 11-month occupancy. This will then be passed to our Scheduling Team, who will order any materials and schedule a date to attend. Do not worry if this runs over your 12 months. Just as long as we are made aware of any aftersales at the 11 month, we will attend once scheduling allows.
After Your 12 Month After Sales Visit
We always strive to ensure that all aftersales issues are resolved in the first 12 months. If this is not the case, a further visit will be scheduled, and any outstanding works will then be rectified.
You may not experience any further after sales with your new lodge after the 12-month period and with the majority of Oakgrove Lodges, this is the case. Just in case, we have put together simple guidance below to help you along the way and for you to enjoy the very best from your new property
With the changes in temperature and living habits, you may experience hairline cracking after your 12-month ownership. If this is the case, please see our guide below to help in the future.
Small cracks may appear, they would be classed as normal home maintenance and are a simple fix.
Hairline Cracks
Follow these simple steps for a neat and tidy repair of fine cracks along walls.
You will need:
A filling knife
Filler, either powdered or ready to use
80-grit sandpaper and a sanding block
Paint and brushes
Step by step:
Put a dust sheet or other protective floor covering down directly under the crack you wish to repair.
Use the corner of the filling knife to widen the cracks you wish to fill. Drag the edge of the knife through the crack, raking out a little of the plaster to make sure that the gaps are large enough to push filler into. Run a dry paintbrush along the crack to brush out any loose dust.
If using powdered filler mix up a little of the filler according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wipe the areas to be filled with a damp cloth immediately before applying the filler to help it stick to the surfaces.
Using the filling knife, push filler firmly into the cracks and flatten down. Leave it to dry. Lightly sand back the filled surface until the filler is level with the rest of the wall.
Wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust and paint to match the rest of the wall.
Cracks around skirting boards and door frames
The most common effect of shrinkage is the appearance of cracks between woodwork and walls. Fortunately, repairing these is straightforward.
You will need:
A tube of white decorators’ caulk
A sealant gun (to squeeze the caulk tube)
A sharp knife
Latex gloves (optional)
Step by step:
Put a dust sheet or other protective floor covering down directly under the crack you wish to repair.
Unscrew the nozzle from the tube of caulk and cut off the sealed end.
Replace the nozzle and trim the end at about a 45-degree angle.
Place the tube into the sealant gun and use it to squeeze out a line of caulk along the crack. You should aim to trail with the longer side of the angled nozzle, as this will help to push it into the crack.
Finally, wet your finger (with gloves on if you prefer) and run it smoothly along the bead of caulk. This should produce a smooth finish along the join between wood and plaster.
Leave to dry and paint as necessary.
Repairing Nail Pops
‘Nail pops’ are a common result of shrinkage and settlement (when the various parts of a new building dry out after construction), and appear as raised, round bumps on walls and ceilings. Follow the guide below to fix them.
You will need:
A hammer
A punch, or a long nail or screw
A filling knife
Filler, either powdered or ready to use
80-grit sandpaper and a sanding block
Paint and brushes
Step by step:
Although we call this issue ‘nail pops’, plasterboard is always screwed into place.
Put a dust sheet or other protective floor covering down directly under the crack you wish to repair.
Use the corner of the filling knife to dig out any plaster directly over the head of the screw that has ‘popped’.
Place the tip of your punch, nail or screw onto the head of the screw that has popped and strike the head firmly with a hammer to drive the screw into the wall so that it sits well below the plastered surface.
Use a dry paint brush to brush out any loose dust from the area.
If using powdered filler, mix up a little of the filler according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Immediately before applying the filler, wipe the areas to be filled with a damp cloth to help it stick to the surfaces in question.
Using the filling knife, push filler firmly into the hole and flatten down. Leave it just a little proud of the surface and allow to dry.
Lightly sand back the filled surface until it’s level with the rest of the area.
Wipe once more with a damp cloth to remove dust and paint to match the rest of the area.
General External Maintenance
We would recommend that the following is carried out by yourselves as general maintenance to the exterior of your property.
- If your home has a Resitex finish, this will need to be painted in line with your gold shield warranty. Gold Shield recommend that your home is painted within the first two years of purchase with a good quality Resitex paint. Keep any receipts for the paint and also the invoice or receipt for painting by a qualified painter. After this Gold Shield recommend a repaint every three years.
Details are below to source resitex paint when required or email them to find your local stockist :-
Resitex Ltd
Unit 1, Warncliffe Business Park
Carlton
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S71 3HR
Tel: 01226 242 322
Email: [email protected] / Website: www.resitexcoatings.co.uk
- Canexel Finish – If your home has Canexel outshots or is fully covered in Canexel, this can be cleaned when you are cleaning windows. Do not use a jet wash but a simple soft brush and hose pipe will suffice. If you notice any scuffs or scratches, this can be touched up with a good quality Canexel paint which can be sourced online. Follow manufacturers instructions for applying Canexel paint and a paint brush should not be used.
A supplier of this paint is :-
https://shop.vulcansystems.co.uk/products/canexel-touch-up-paint
For all exterior painting whether Resitex or Canexel please wear protective equipment as instructed by the manufacturer and cover area around the area to be painted.
- Guttering – check guttering and clean any blockages that may cause water to pour out. Do this on a regular basis or when you notice there is a leak. Fascias and soffits can be cleaned either with a soft brush and soapy water or wash over with a soft cloth.
In each Owners park when your home or lodge arrives there will be an Owners Handbook, welcoming you to your new Oakgrove and will also include our pr printed forms to report your aftersales issues.
A copy of the above information can be found in your new lodge or park home and also includes a reminder to register your new Oakgrove with the 10 year Gold Shield Warranty.
On move in to your new property, please remember to register your integrated appliances with the appliance manufacturer. They will need a make and model of each appliance which can be also found in your Owners Handbook
