01 Problem
Defect · maintenance · damage · warranty
The first year of living in a new house can reveal cracks, leaks, adjustments, equipment issues and maintenance needs that were not obvious on handover day.
The first task is not to call everything a defect. Defect, routine maintenance and damage after handover are different things, with different causes and responsibilities.
Observe the symptom, identify the likely cause and diagnose before repeatedly repairing the visible surface.
02 Diagnose
A newly installed tap that leaks because of faulty installation is different from a drain that needs routine cleaning. Both need attention, but they are not the same responsibility.
Small cracks also need judgement. Finishes and junctions can experience shrinkage or minor movement, so every visible crack does not automatically mean structural failure. At the same time, unusual, significant or progressive cracking should not simply be ignored.
Water deserves even more discipline. Repainting a damp stain does not repair a leak. The source may be a roof, pipe, bathroom, window, balcony, drain or another failed detail.
Watch the crack's location, width, change over time, associated dampness and whether it keeps returning.
Significant, unusual or progressive cracking needs appropriate professional review.Trace where the water is coming from instead of repeatedly repairing paint, plaster or stains at the visible symptom.
Fix the source first.Initial use may reveal hinge adjustment, drawer alignment, minor movement, loose handles or rubbing shutters.
Small problems are easier to correct before they worsen.Pumps, geysers, automation, gates and appliances may carry manufacturer warranties separate from the construction contractor.
Know who is responsible before reporting the failure.03 Report
“Something wrong in bathroom” is difficult to act on. A good report identifies the room, exact location, symptom, date first observed and includes a useful photo or video.
Some problems should not wait for an annual defect list. Active water leakage, electrical safety concerns, structural concerns, gas issues and significant equipment failure deserve prompt attention.
Warranty also does not remove normal maintenance. Terrace drains still need cleaning. Window hardware may need care or adjustment. Pumps still need the maintenance required by their operating instructions.
Warranty covers defined failures. Maintenance keeps systems working properly.
Can someone receiving this report understand what happened, where it happened and whether the warranty period still applies?
04 Check
Select every first-year issue that should be treated as part of a proper defect and warranty process.
A recurring symptom deserves diagnosis. A warranty deserves dates. A maintenance item still needs maintenance.
Choose only the actions that help diagnose, document and resolve first-year problems correctly.