Author: Platinum Team

• Always watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa. (It only takes a few seconds for a child to fall in a pool or to struggle while in a pool) • Teach children and adults basic water safety tips • Have a portable telephone close by at all times • If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim • Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools. • Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water

• Do not prop gates open on pools during an open house or during a showing. • Do stay with all families with small children during a showing. • Do keep an eye on the child and the water at all times. • Know CPR (attend a class), and CALL 911 immediately, when needed.

With triple digit temperatures on the horizon, it’s the ideal time to make sure your sprinklers and valves are running efficiently.

Checking sprinkler valves

It’s important to check all of your sprinkler valves to make sure they are functioning well.  The easiest way to check your system is to run your sprinklers on manual from the sprinkler box.

Run the entire system one zone at a time.

Glance around all valves, looking for leaks. If there are any leaks, try to locate the source and determine whether the entire valve needs replacement.

Check sprinkler heads to make sure they are getting sufficient water.  If not, this could be another sign that you have a bad valve. If only one valve has a problem and other valves are getting enough water, you can likely rule out problems at the main water line. If a valve isn’t working at all, there is likely a wiring issue within the valve.

Make sure to also check any easily overlooked item -- the sprinkler furthest from the sprinkler valve. If it has standing water or is leaking, it’s time to replace the valve.

 Checking other sprinkler operations

Check all sprinklers to make sure they are not spraying sidewalks, driveways or walls.

Check sprinklers for leaks or clogs. It may be time to replace the sprinkler head.

If using a drip system, check to make sure the drip is in the right place since the plant has grown since last year

Finally, if you have a controller with a battery back up, replace the battery once a year.

Installing a rain sensor

To save water and money, you may want to install a rain sensor. Rain sensors shut off sprinkler systems when the rainfall reaches a certain amount, preventing sprinklers from running when they aren’t needed. Once the moisture recedes, the sensor allows the sprinkler system to resume the normal watering schedule. This can be particularly helpful during monsoon season when unexpected rains roll in.

Summer is fondly known as the season of pool parties and vacations. It’s also notoriously known as the season for out-of-control energy bills from running systems like your air conditioning.

No one finds pleasure in finding a hefty bill in their mailbox, so we’ve done a little homework to learn how to reduce those bills. While we can’t control the rising temperatures, these pointers may help cut down your energy bill during the summer.
Use ceiling fans to increase cooling efficiency.  When coupled with your air conditioning, a fan can increase the temperature of the room by about 4 degrees. This makes the cooling process less taxing on your air conditioning. Just remember to turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room, so you don’t use unnecessary energy.

Make an appointment for regular maintenance for your air conditioner.  Change filters as needed.  Vacuum vents and make sure they are clear of objects that could obstruct the airflow. Tackling these items helps your system run more efficiently.
Check your windows and doors for leaks. If there are any, caulk them or apply weatherstripping.  This helps keep the hot air out and the cool air in.

Consider adding awnings or window treatments. Awnings can reduce solar heat by 65%-75%, and window treatments can significantly reduce solar heat as well.

During the hottest part of the day, minimize any activities that heat up your home including use of the oven, dryer and dishwasher.  When you do run these systems, be sure to wait until they are full to reduce the number of cycles you need to run.
Just turning down your water heater to 120 degrees can also save energy and money. Water heating often accounts for up to 14%-25% of the energy consumed in most homes.

Finally, use natural lighting as much as possible, since powering lighting takes up energy and adds heat.

We’re entering some of the most beautiful months in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which means it’s the perfect time to give your landscape a little extra love. We’ve pulled together a few to-dos to help you navigate the spring transition and care for your yard.
Prune rose bushes
This one should top your list because the ideal time to prune rose bushes is almost over. If you’ve not already done your pruning, now is the time to make it a priority. Pruning is an art and needs to be performed carefully. Along with fertilizing, it allows your roses to flourish. For helpful information on caring for and growing roses, go to http://roses4az-mevrs.org.
Prune other plants and bushes
This is also the time to prune other trees and bushes. Remove dead and broken branches, and thin out crowded plants. Doing so strengthens the structure of your plants and allows for healthy growth and blossoming during spring.
Fertilize and plant citrus
If you have not yet fertilized your citrus, do so now. Fertilize the outer 2/3 of the leaf canopy. If you are planning to plant new citrus, now is the time to do so as well. Planting citrus trees and bushes at this time encourages root growth before it becomes too hot.
Ready garden beds for spring planting
All flower and vegetable gardens should have their beds ready for spring planting. For a list of vegetables to plan for spring/summer harvest, visit http://extension.arizona.edu. Also, be sure to fertilize existing vegetables and flowers.
Protect against pests
Warmer weather tends to bring out some less favorable critters as well. Aphids are one of the top visitors that will likely pop up in your garden this spring. They are tiny light pink or green bugs that especially love roses and vegetables. To get rid of them, forcefully spray your plants with a hose. If that doesn’t do the trick, try spritzing your plants using a spray bottle filled with water and a small amount of dish soap. It may be necessary to repeat this several times to send these pests away.
If birds or larger pests are getting to your garden, use chicken wire to protect seedlings.
Care for lawns
When nighttime temperatures are over 60 degrees for a minimum of five days in a row, your lawn needs a little extra support. To boost the spring transition back to Bermuda grass, progressively mow your lawn down to 3/4 inch tall.
Keep in mind that you should never mow the lawn when it is wet. Doing so can create clumps of clippings that keep your lawn from looking it’s best. And, the sticky grass can clog your mower.
If you are reseeding your lawn, wait to do so until April or May.
Root out weeds
Be sure to take care of any weeds now. Though it’s not the most exciting task, doing so now will make the job much easier. As the season progresses, weeds tend to grow out of control, requiring more work to get rid of them.
We hope these tips help you enjoy your yard even more this spring!

Now that weather is becoming warmer and evenings are so pleasant, many of us begin using our grills for preparing meals.  Now would be a great time to maintain your outdoor gas grills!

At least once a year you need to thoroughly clean your grill. First, start by disconnecting the gas and lift out the grill parts layer by layer. Once you get down to the burners, make sure you check for anything blocking the flow of gas. If the burner is clogged it will give you uneven heat and make for poor grilling. If you can clean it, do so, if not, then replace it. If your grill has lava rocks or ceramic briquettes you need to make sure that these are not heavily encrusted with cooked on foods. If so, replace them to avoid bad tasting smoky food that dirty rocks can produce.

With everything out of the grill, clean it completely with soapy water. If the paint is coming off, or if your grill is showing signs of rust then you need to apply paint. Grills require a special paint; check your owner’s manual or hardware store for the type of paint you need for your grill. Place all parts back into the grill and check the connections carefully, and then turn it on. Let the grill heat completely before you cook to make sure any left over soapy residue is burned completely off.

Now you are ready to enjoy beautiful evenings and perfectly grilled food! Bon Appetit!

Oh boy it’s coming; the summer heat is just a few months away.  With summer in our near future, you might find the following information interesting and can save you money while being environmentally friendly.
If you currently have that gorgeous green rye grass for winter, it’s almost time to let the grass go dormant and get ready for the summer Bermuda grass.   If you have had Bermuda grass in previous years, you do not need to overseed.  The Bermuda grass will grow back once the rye grass has been dormant and the weather is warm enough for it to grow back.
Did you know about half the water used at home is used outside, and most of that is for watering lawns.  Your lawn requires a lot of water in the spring and summer months, and that costs money. During the summer months your lawn requires 1 1/2 – 1¾ inches of water per week.
By watering your lawn wisely, you can conserve a precious resource and save money on your water bill.  Did you know that nighttime or early in the morning are the most effective times to water.  This will promote deeper root growth, which encourages your lawn to be more water efficient.  When you water your grass during the day, you are wasting water because it is instantly evaporating and your precious, hard-earned dollars are going up into the sky and not helping your grass.
 

Oh dear, your sink stinks.  It’s a nuisance, we know, but it also could be dangerous.   The stench could be coming from a few different places.
In many cases, food or particles are stuck in the drainpipe.  Bacteria can collect in the pipe and cause the odor.  If you think this may be the culprit, try run baking soda or vinegar in your sink. This helps kill the bacteria and eliminate the stench.
The good news is that this remedy works well for another potential location of the problem—your pesky garbage disposal. Food particles and grease can build up in between the teeth of the grinder.  In some cases, pouring hot water in the disposal can loosen up the grease and solve the problem.  If that doesn’t do the trick, vinegar or baking soda can be effective here as well. If you intend to look into the disposal any time during this process, be sure to unplug the power cable from the outlet as a safety precaution.
After you have looked into the drain and the garbage disposal, there’s one last check. Your stench might be coming from the vent, which can get clogged. The best way to tackle this one is with the help of a plumber. They can run a snake and unclog the vent.

Did you know that the majority of home maintenance issues happen when the homeowner is away from home? Unfortunately, vacations tend to be a prime time for systems and appliances to act up.
Picture this—it’s August and you’ve escaped the Valley’s heat for a vacation. After enjoying a refreshing time away, you return home, quickly learning your air conditioning isn’t running as it should be. The culprit? A filter overdue for a change, which overheated the unit.
That isn’t a pretty picture. The last thing you want to do when you return is face new maintenance problems. To help you keep your systems and appliances running smoothly while you’re away, we’ve compiled a few tips.
1. Change your air filters.
Air filters get dirty, especially here in the dusty desert.  It’s a good idea to change your filters before you go on a trip.
 
 
 
2. Adjust your thermostats
Electricity isn’t cheap, particularly not in the summer.  Adjust your thermostats so that the temperature in your
home is a little warmer while you are away.  This simple action will save you money on your energy bill and will help prevent your air conditioning from overheating while you are away.
 
 
 

3. Unplug major electronics
Another easy action worth taking is to protect your electronics from a possible power surge. Unplug your favorite electronics to avoid any damage while you are away.

You may be used to doing regular check ups to keep your car running smoothly, but did you know your appliances can benefit from regular maintenance too?

Your refrigerator is a prime example. The average replacement cost in the US for a refrigerator is $1,088 and the average repair cost is $209. To save money and prevent repair and replacement needs, here are a few maintenance tips:

1.Check your door seals
Clean the seals of your refrigerator door twice a year.  A combination of baking soda, water and a clean toothbrush works best for this task.  Clean the seals lightly, and dry thoroughly. This can help boost your seals’ ability to keep the cold air in and warm air out. This saves your fridge from having to work harder to maintain the desired temperature of 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees in the freezer.

2. Clean your coils
Mark you calendars for this task twice a year.  After you clean the door seals, lightly vacuum around the coils.  It’s up to your whether you want to tackle this task yourself or hire someone to do it.  Either way it is money or time well spent.

And, for a little extra dose of fridge facts—did you know a fridge runs better when it is full?  Science calls it thermal mass. If you have an empty refrigerator, adding bottles of water can provide the necessary mass to help it run better.

If you’re looking for even more protection for your refrigerator, be sure to opt for refrigerator coverage within your home warranty plan. This will help offset wear and tear expenses.

Without a little TLC, your dishwasher can fall prey to unexciting repairs. There are a few things you can do regularly to help maintain your dishwasher and avoid unnecessary repairs.
1. Run hot water before starting the dishwasher.
Before beginning the dishwasher cycle, run your water from your kitchen sink until it is hot to the touch.  This will enable your dishwasher to have hot water instantly, instead of cool or lukewarm water.  Hot water will help improve the performance of your dishwasher and the cleanliness of your dishes.
 
 

2. Clean your dishwasher trap
Under the lower sprayer of most dishwashers you will find the dishwasher trap. The lovely thing collects all of the food, plastic and other materials that get left to prevent them from entering the drain.
Cleaning the trap helps keep smells down and increase the cleanliness of your dishwasher.
 

3. Clean your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher
For your dishwasher to run its best, you need to do more than barely scrape the food off your plates. Try to give your dishes a gentle cleaning before placing them in the dishwasher. Any particles that remain get stuck in the dishwasher trap and lower the performance of your dishwasher.
For a little extra help in the upkeep of your dishwasher, be sure to order a home warranty. The Platinum warranty plans cover dishwasher breakdowns due to normal wear and tear.