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Ceilings &Walls
The ceilings and walls in your home are made
of high-quality materials.
Care and maintenance
The following are tips for maintaining your
ceilings and walls.
Interior ceilings and walls
The drywall that makes up your ceilings
and walls will last the life of your home,
if properly maintained.
Use a mild soap to clean spots. Avoid scrubbing
which could cause staining.
Inspect ceilings and walls for condensation or
mold. Call for service if you locate any.
Avoid washing new paint for a few months to
allow it time to dry fully and set.
Remove dust from acoustical ceilings by
vacuuming them gently.
Extend the time before repainting by keeping
heating and cooling system air filters clean,
turning on exhaust fans when bathing or
cooking, and removing dust before it has a
chance to collect.
HOME TIP: If you live in an attached home,
such as a condo or townhome, you may
hear sound from neighboring units.
HOME TIP: Do not put too much weight
on closet rods.
HOME TIP: Some attics and garages
have ceiling outlets. Avoid using them to
support ceiling fans or light fixtures that
weigh more than 50 pounds.
HOME TIP: Avoid exposing latex paints
to extreme cold or heat which can
reduce their lifespan. Stored in moderate
temperatures, latex paints won’t
deteriorate for two years. Do not paint
when the ceiling or wall temperature is
above 90 degrees or below 45 degrees.
CAUTION: If you want to hang anything
from the ceiling, do so from a ceiling
joist. Drywall ceilings are not designed
to bear weight.
Surface repair
New homes shrink over time. As this occurs,
you likely will notice minor cracks or spots
where nail or screw heads have popped out.
Make repairs only when you plan to paint the
entire room.
Cracks
Use elastomeric caulk, which is designed to fill
large gaps and can be painted, to fill cracks.
Indentations
Use a joint compound (the same used during
the drywall mudding and taping process) to fill
indentations. It likely will require two to three
applications. Sand the area with a fine-grit
sandpaper and repaint.
