Category: Arizona Home Warranty

Your washing machine helps keep your clothes and home smelling fresh and healthy. Make sure you’re giving your washing machine some TLC as you do your routine home maintenance! Here are a few of our top tips on keeping your washing machine running longer.

 

• Check hoses regularly: Make sure to inspect your hoses for bulges or cracks. Damaged hoses can cause leakage that will damage your floors, as well as make your washing machine run less efficiently.

• Keep machine level: Make sure your washing machine is level on the ground and doesn’t rock or shake while in use. A machine that isn’t level can damage your floor and its inner parts.

• Clean the lint filter: You’re probably used to cleaning your dryer’s lint filter after every use, but your washing machine has one as well! Older top load models will usually have a lint filter located at the end of the drain hose or along the top rim of the drum. Newer top-load or front load models have a self-cleaning pump. 

• Keep load sizes manageable: You can do serious damage to your washing machine if you put too big a load in at once, so make sure to break your laundry up into smaller loads. Also consider getting larger garments or other items professionally cleaned. 

• Use the right detergent: The type of detergent you use does matter! Using the wrong detergent for your washing machine can cause damage and inefficient cleaning, so double-check the type of detergent and the recommended amount before use. 

• Wash your washing machine: Soap residue can build up, causing mold, mildew, and a really funky smell! Every month or so, run an empty load using the correct detergent for your machine, a recommended cleaner, or a mixture of hot water and vinegar. 

• Don’t let wet clothes linger: Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine for too long can leave them and your machine covered in mold and mildew, especially if you live in a humid climate. Set a timer on your phone or your machine itself so you don’t forget to transfer clothes once they’re done! 

_______

Need support in taking care of your washing machine or another system or appliance? We’re happy to help! Reach out to us at 602.733.5000.

Garbage disposals are a massively convenient appliance. They streamline after-dinner clean-up and keep your kitchen smelling fresh by reducing the amount of garbage in your kitchen. But when they aren’t working properly, stuck-on residue can stink up your kitchen, clog your plumbing, as well as totally disrupt your daily kitchen routine.

Use as Intended

• Always use cold water. Run a steady flow of cold water during — and 15 seconds — after every use. Hot water can cause fat to congeal and stick to the blades and interior, while cold water prevents overheating.
• Know what food to grind and what to pitch. Grease, fat, pasta, and fibrous waste, among other items, will clog the drain. Here’s a helpful detailed list of what to avoid.
• Don’t grind non-food items or materials. Putting paper towels, rags, plastic, or other non-edible materials through your disposal is a recipe for disaster, as your disposal isn’t equipped to process these materials.
• Don’t overfill the disposal. If you have a lot of food waste, grind it gradually. Excess amounts of waste can cause serious damage to the interior of your disposal. 

Proper Cleaning

• Run the garbage disposal every few days. Even if you don’t have food scraps to grind, you should run the appliance with cold water: This ensures the blades won’t rust and washes out any food residue.
• Use the right cleaner. Use disposal cleaner or a generic de-greaser to cut fat build up. Dropping a few ice cubes into the disposal can also help keep the unit clean; just make sure you use the rubber stopper to prevent ice pieces from flying out.
• Freshen up with citrus. Use lemon, lime, and orange peels to keep the disposal smelling fresh! The citric acid also helps prevent bacterial growth.

Routine Maintenance

• Power down the disposal to repair or unclog it. Safety first! Unplug the disposal at the outlet or flip the appropriate circuit breaker to avoid serious injury.
• Do not unclog with bleach or commercial drain cleaner. Harsh chemicals could fly up and out the next time you use it, potentially sending them at your face and eyes.
• Do not pull out clogs with your fingers. Avoid injury by using a tool, like pliers or tongs, to remove anything that isn’t passing through the blades.
• Snake the drain. It’s good to have the drainage pipe snaked approximately once every two years to prevent clogs and keep the sink draining smoothly.

Don’t fret! A few easy pointers for proper use, cleaning, and maintenance can help keep your disposal in good working order to maintain your kitchen hygiene — and your Arizona home warranty protection!

*Links to external sources are for informational purposes only and deemed reliable at the time of posting but not guaranteed.

 

The way you use and care for your microwave can have a significant effect on its longevity. Microwaves typically last from five to 10 years with proper maintenance, but many people use their microwaves every day without giving a second thought to care and maintenance, not knowing the damage they might be causing!

However, adopting just a few simple habits can be a big help to your microwave’s lifespan! With these tips, you may be able to keep your microwave running for at least a decade – perhaps even longer! 

Proper Maintenance

• Keep it Clean. Quickly clean up any spills or crumbs, which can absorb some of the microwave’s energy and create hot spots that could damage the interior. Using a cooking cover can help prevent messes. Periodically steam the microwave with water and vinegar as needed for easy cleaning.
• Degrease the Grease Filter. It’s easy to forget the grease filters – out of sight, out of mind! However, grease build-up can cause your microwave to run less efficiently and pose a fire hazard. Luckily, they are easy to clean – all you need is a few common household items and about 10 minutes of active cleaning time. 

Proper Use

• Run the Exhaust. A microwave exhaust fan isn’t as efficient as one on a range hood, but you should still use it! Otherwise, moisture can collect on the appliance’s electronics and soak its life expectancy. 
• Be Gentle. Your microwave door has several plastic safety interlock switches that disable operation when the door is open. Avoid slamming the door, which can break these components and render your microwave inoperable.
• Don’t Run it Empty. Most of us have accidentally run the microwave empty when we meant to use the timer. A short blast might not do much damage if you catch it right away, but an empty microwave can overheat in no time and burn or break it.
• Use Proper Cookware. Avoid most metals, which can cause arcing—actual sparks inside the unit! If metal touches the interior, arcing can burn a hole in the cavity wall and permanently ruin your microwave. 
• Use Preset Functions. Presets help prevent food from overcooking and spattering, as well as user error – it’s easy to accidentally set 50:00 instead of 5:00!

Know Your DIY Limits

• Keep up With Easy Replacements. Replacing parts such as light bulbs, door latches, turntables, turntable motors, and charcoal filters are typically safe to DIY. 
• Do Not DIY Electronics Repairs. Your microwave can produce a fatal electrical shock, even long after it’s been unplugged! If your microwave needs electrical repair, get an estimate first: it may cost less to replace the appliance.

Questions about what a Platinum Home Warranty covers, or what you need to maintain to ensure warranty coverage? Let us know!

*Links to external sources are for informational purposes only and deemed reliable at the time of posting but not guaranteed.

Winter holidays usher in a season of joy, celebration, and tradition. Decorating your home, yard, or office space is a fun way to celebrate the season. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities, but no matter how you celebrate, it’s important to take some basic precautions to ensure your holidays are as safe and bright as they are merry.

Ready to shine this holiday season? Don’t forget these key safety tips!

Lights 

• Only use lights that have been tested for safety — inside and out! Check for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.
• Inspect each set of lights, even new ones, for compromised sockets, loose connections, or damaged wires. Safely discard/recycle bad cords. 
• Connect light strands before installation, not during. 
• Keep bulbs upright and off tree needles or branches using a clip or twist-tie. 
• Never leave lights on unattended! Always unplug any decorative lighting before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Go LED! On average, they boast a longer lifespan and don’t get hot to the touch.

Electrical

• Inspect outlets and light switches for damage or loose connections.
• Inspect breakers for damage and clear any debris.
• Avoid overload when using outlets or extension cords.
• Keep cords away from water and metal objects.
• Use a three-prong grounded extension cord with the UL label for outdoor lighting.
• Ensure extension cords are completely uncoiled and kept away from heat sources (like bulbs).
• Never place cords under rugs and doors or through windows where they might be pinched or become worn.

 Trees

• Shopping for a manufactured tree? Check for a fire-resistant label. 
• Longing for a live tree? Show it some love by keeping it supplied with fresh water. 
• Keep trees, manufactured or live, away from fireplaces, radiators, and other sources of heat.
• Never hang electric lights on metallic trees.

Electrical safety is important at any time of the year. If you have questions about what electrical items a home warranty may cover, let us know!

Appliance care might not be a top-of-mind concern for most people, but it should be! Good news though: a little effort goes a long way. In this FAQ series, we explore proper home appliance maintenance care starting with the kitchen! 

It’s easy to take your dishwasher for granted, but that’s the very last thing you want to do! As an appliance that cleans for you, it may seem counterintuitive that you need to perform preventative maintenance or cleaning, but skipping out on either could cost you. Luckily, keeping your dishwasher in top condition doesn’t require a lot of time or effort — we’ll walk you through it!

Prevent Potential Issues with Careful Use

• Scrape First Food debris can clog your dishwasher, bringing it to a screeching halt. It’s not just solid pieces you need to watch for, either. If your dishes have a lot of grease on them, dump the grease in the garbage or compost to avoid clogging the sink drain.
• Load Efficiently Properly loading the dishwasher makes a difference in its cleaning ability. Don’t overload it by packing it full with dishes, pots, and pans in every corner: load it carefully, putting items in the right places.
• Use the Right Detergent Think dish soap for hand washing will work well in the dishwasher? Think again. Only use detergent intended for dishwashers.
• Air It Out A hot, humid environment without airflow, your dishwasher is a great environment to grow mold and mildew. Prevent that fate by allowing the inside of your dishwasher to dry fully as often as possible.
• Run It At Least Weekly Run your dishwasher at least once a week to ensure the motor seals stay in good working order, even if it’s a smaller load.

Clean It Once a Month…to help prevent germ build-up and maintain its efficiency.

• Clean Filter If your dishwasher has a filter, remove it and clean it off. Food trapped in the filter can impact the dishwasher’s cleaning and draining ability.
• Clean the Door and Seals The rubber seals around the door rim prevent leaks while the dishwasher is running. Be sure to wipe down the seals and the door with a damp cloth to prevent build-up. A drop of gentle dish detergent is all you need.
• Clean the Spray Arm Wipe the spray arm with a damp towel. For deep cleaning, remove it and gently clear visible blockages with a toothpick every six months or as needed. Refer to the manufacturer’s manual for how to safely remove and clean the spray arm. 
• Sanitize White vinegar is a great cleaning agent for your dishwasher. Simply place a dishwasher-safe container with a cup of vinegar in it in the center of the top or bottom rack, then run your dishwasher on a hot water cycle to disinfect the dishwasher and break down any residue.

Find more hip tips here on our blog or Contact Us!

 

Links to external sources are for informational purposes only and deemed reliable at the time of posting but not guaranteed.

Appliance care might not be a top-of-mind concern for most people, but it should be! Good news though: a little effort goes a long way. In this FAQ series, we explore proper home appliance maintenance care starting with the kitchen! 

Few large appliances get such frequent use as our refrigerators, so it’s crucial to keep them at their best. Routine maintenance helps your refrigerator run more smoothly and efficiently. Proper care prevents breakdowns, keeps odors at bay, and best preserves the quality of your refrigerator contents. So if you want to extend the lifespan of your fridge as much as possible, often about 10-15 years, all it takes is a few simple tasks.

Every Day

• Cover food: Odors can migrate through the fridge and freezer. Uncovered food can both release and absorb odors. 
• Deploy help: A box of baking soda typically costs just one dollar: keep an open box in the fridge and freezer to keep things fresh without lifting a finger.

Every Month

• Empty the ice bin: While you might not think of your ice cubes as ‘food’, you should. Ice can absorb freezer odors and solidify in the bottom of the bin. 
• Give it some space: Unless your refrigerator is built for zero-clearance placement, make sure there is adequate space on all sides of the appliance.

Every Quarter

• Inspect door gaskets: Dirty or damaged gaskets cause cold air to leak out, making your fridge work much harder than it needs to, so keep them clean! Use soapy water and dry them off completely. If they are loose, the embedded magnets may need to be replaced or remagnetized.
• Level up: An unlevel refrigerator won’t close properly, which can strain the motor and cause condensation inside, which can lead to frost buildup on the evaporator. Place a level on the top of your refrigerator, then rotate the adjustable feet on the bottom of the unit until it’s level. Once the seals are cleaned and the unit is level, check for a proper seal by closing a dollar bill in the door. If it slips right out, you may need to have the door seals checked by a pro.

Every Six Months

• Clean condenser coils: Condenser coils clogged with dust and pet hair stress the compressor and waste energy. It’s easy – unplug your fridge, remove the base grill, and use a coil cleaning brush, vacuum, and/or damp cloth to remove dust and debris. 
• Replace water filter: A spent water filter can cause clogs and leaks (in addition to subpar water and ice). Check your owner’s manual for directions on how to remove and replace the filter. Next, run a few gallons of water through the new filter to remove any carbon residue. 
• Clean the drip pan. Typically found at the bottom of the refrigerator, the drip pan should be drained and cleaned thoroughly to clear away the water, food, and mineral deposits.
• Inspect the freezer for ice build-up. Ice thicker than ¼” calls for a defrost. 

Sound like a lot? It doesn’t have to be: Set up repeating calendar events for convenient reminders to make sure you don’t fall behind. And if you have any questions regarding what your Arizona home warranty requires to maintain coverage, reach out to any of our friendly customer service representatives.

 

Links to external sources are for informational purposes only and deemed reliable at the time of posting but not guaranteed.

 

Your heating and cooling system runs in the background, quietly humming along each day to keep your home comfortable year-round. It can be easy to forget, even — out of sight, out of mind. 

That is, until it stops working.

Luckily, that kind of disruption to your life is often avoidable with good preventative care and maintenance. Platinum Home Warranty offers seasonal check-ups for your HVAC system from October 1 – November 30 for fall to make sure it’s up to par.

What is included in an HVAC check-up?

We look for maintenance concerns, flag any problems, and make recommendations to help prevent future issues. Depending on the season, thorough inspection includes:

• Check air filters
• Check and tighten all electrical connections
• Inspect evaporator coil, when accessible
• Check volt and amp draw on motors
• Check refrigeration charge
• Check start and run caps
• Visually inspect system for minor refrigeration leaks, where accessible
• Check time delay relay
• Check contactors
• Check main electrical whip
• Check compressor terminals
• Check disconnect box and fuses
• Check and adjust blower components
• Check and adjust burners
• Inspect fan blade
• Test cycle air conditioner for proper operation

What if an issue is found?

If the technician catches an issue during the inspection, they will remedy the problem during the visit if possible. If the repair can’t be completed during the inspection visit, we will quickly coordinate follow-up repair services at your convenience.

How do I get on the schedule? 

Platinum Home Warranty HVAC check-ups are scheduled during two seasonal periods each year: October 1 – November 30 for fall and March 1 – April 30 for spring. Request your checkup online or call 602-733-5000, and we’ll get you scheduled.

Have questions about these checkups or our warranties? 

Reach out today and one of our friendly customer service representatives will help you get squared away.

Appliance care might not be a top of mind concern for most people, but it should be! Good news though: a little effort goes a long way. In this FAQ series, we explore proper home appliance maintenance care starting with the kitchen! 

Your kitchen stovetop can take quite a beating, and it’s easy to guess wrong regarding proper care. As always, the manufacturer’s maintenance manual is the last word, but we’ve compiled a general guide on how to care for your stovetop with some basic principles that can help anyone stay on track, like 

Know Your Type

It’s important to determine what kind of stove you have. While electric vs. gas is a common way to think about stovetops, maintenance and upkeep varies a bit more than that. Electric stovetops can have exposed coil burners or a smooth top, which requires different care. 

There are pros and cons to each. For care, exposed burners on either a gas or electric stove present additional parts to clean but are often more durable than a smooth-top, which both wipes down and scratches easier.

Get Back to Basics

Luckily, the best thing you can do to keep your stovetop in good working order is to prevent stains and be smart about cleaning build up, which is easy to do no matter what type of stove you’re working with.

• Prevent boil-overs: Use pots and pans with deep enough sides to prevent boil-overs and splattering. Preventing spills minimizes cleanup work and helps prolong the life of your stovetop.
• Clean as you go: A damp sponge or paper towel will take care of most spills. So get in the habit of wiping down your stovetop after every use-your stove will gleam like new for decades, and you’ll save yourself plenty of scrubbing
• Scrub smarter, not harder: With a spill that has dried out and cooked for a while, use a sponge with a solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water, a 50-50 solution of vinegar and warm water, or an all-purpose cleaner. Avoid abrasive powders as they can easily create tiny scratches in your stove top surface, which future spills can grip, making them even harder to remove.
• Mind the little things: In addition to an after-use wipe down, periodically give your stove parts a more extensive cleaning. Remove control-panel knobs (usually by pulling straight out) and clean around the knobs’ bases. Wash the knobs in hot, soapy water, rinse, and dry before replacing them.

Get Specific

Complete your stovetop care routine with these type-specific tips.

• Clean under the hood: If you don’t have a sealed cooktop, food and grease can fall under exposed burners and out of sight. It can be easy to miss, but thankfully it’s also easy to clean. See your owner’s manual instructions for safely lifting the top, then clean with a sponge and warm, soapy water or a 50-50 solution of vinegar and warm water before rinsing with clean water and a sponge.

• Smooth-tops: Keep a clean stovetop surface to avoid scratches, and keep bottoms of pans clean so they don’t transfer food residue that will bake onto the glass.
• Gas burners: Keep it clean between the burner and burner cap so the gas flows through the burner channels smoothly. Burner grates are often cast iron, which can be safely cleaned using several approaches based on how dirty they are and your comfort level using different chemicals.
• Electric coil stovetop: Clean the inner bowls regularly, and never line them with tin foil – it can reflect the heat back on to the element and cause it to blow out. 

If you have any questions regarding what your Arizona Platinum Home Warranty requires to maintain coverage, reach out to any of our friendly Account Managers here.

Question:
Is there anything special I need to do following a storm for pool clean-up?

Answer:
Proper maintenance is critical for your pools, especially to maintain full coverage under a Platinum Home Warranty Superior Plan, and the most important aspect of post-storm clean-up is timing! 

Storms drop dirt, oil, debris, and bacteria into pools — the longer your pool stays dirty, the harder it will be to restore it to good condition. While the process can be tedious, it’s the only way to protect pool equipment and ensure a clean, safe swimming environment. 

Post-Storm DON’Ts

These common mistakes are easy to avoid:

• Drain the pool, especially in wet soil
• Run the pump without attending to the filter and skimmer
• Turn on pool equipment without checking the electrical systems and components  
• Run the pool cleaner before removing large debris
• Use bare hands in the water

Post-Storm DOs

1. Contact Your Pool Professional

Appointments will be booked up immediately after a storm, so it’s wise to call as soon as you can. If it’s not possible to be seen quickly, ask for suggestions on what upkeep you need to do in the meantime.

2. Skim Debris: Clear the Water, Skimmer, and Pump Baskets

This everyday maintenance task will likely need a heavier lift than usual after a storm. The most important tip for this first step is to never use your bare hands due to the risk of bacteria in the water.

3. Check Your Breaker

Breakers can trip during a storm and heavy rain, so it’s important to reset the breaker if necessary and ensure all the equipment operates correctly. 

4. Clean & Backwash Filter

An excess of bacteria, dust, and pollen can threaten your filter even with a smaller storm, so give it a thorough cleaning or backwashing before you turn it back on.

5. Brush & Vacuum

For removing debris from the pool floor, vacuuming directly to waste is ideal to avoid running dirt through the filter, which risks clogging. If that’s not possible, pay careful attention to the filter’s pressure gauge – when the pressure is too high, backwash and clean the filter manually. Complete this step with a thorough scrubbing and brushing of the pool walls to remove the last of the dirt and bacteria.

6. Restoring Water to a Safe Balance

Finally, test your pool water to determine how much chlorine you need to properly shock the water to prevent algal blooms or other bacteria issues. Post-storm shocks often require double or triple the usual amount of chlorine needed. Once the chlorine is leveled out, adjust the alkalinity, pH, and CYA levels to fully balance the water chemicals.

You can also reach out to any of our friendly Customer Service Representatives about what is included when your pool is covered under our Superior home warranty plan.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

*Built-in pool coverage is included with our Superior Plan.

At Platinum Home Warranty, we want to help you be a happier homeowner — as owning a home is complicated enough when things are working correctly. When your oven stops working or your air conditioner stops keeping you cool, a home warranty is there to make life easier and to take the stress out of those stressful situations.

Even so, are you aware of what is covered when you purchase a warranty for your home?

First, what exactly is a home warranty? A home warranty is a yearly service contract that provides coverage on many of your home appliances and component systems. In the case that one of your appliances or home component systems breaks down due to normal wear and tear, your warranty will cover the repair or replacement of the appliance or system.

Common appliances:

• Refrigerator, oven/range, built-in microwave
• Dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash compactor
• Clothes washer and dryer*
• Garage door system components, garage door openers*

Common systems:

• Electrical
• HVAC (heating and cooling)
• Hot water heater
• Plumbing, septic*, soft water*

The above are all samples of covered appliances and component systems under Platinum Home Warranty’s four plan options. You can also customize a plan for an additional fee; you can even add on individual coverage for a detached accessory dwelling unit.

After your home warranty coverage begins, Platinum requires that you routinely take care of and maintain your appliances and home systems, per manufacturer instructions, which are protected by the plan.

With Platinum Home Warranty in Arizona, be assured you can trust us with your home as we will treat it like it is our own. 

If you have any questions about what is covered in our warranty plans, pricing, or other information you’re not finding, please reach out to us!

*Optional coverage items; included in Standard Plus, Prime & Superior plans.