Category: Life at Home

Is your HVAC system in bad shape? Are you already dreading the summer? If you know your system is too old or will require too much costly repair, we offer the ideal opportunity to have the system replaced with maximum convenience — and at competitive pricing.

HVAC Replacement Advantages:

Efficiency

Platinum Home Warranty is the one-stop solution for your pre-existing HVAC issues. Save time, hassle, and stress shopping for a replacement unit. We can quickly find you the best, efficient solution, and have your new unit installed in a timely manner by one of our in-house HVAC specialists.

Peace of Mind

Taking a gamble on a bad HVAC unit can have serious consequences during Arizona summers. By electing to replace a problem unit, you’ll get peace of mind and won’t have to deal with a potential string of costly repair issues when the summer heat hits.

Financing Flexibility

Platinum’s service team will work directly with you to negotiate the best solution for your HVAC replacement situation. With a variety of financing options and competitive rates, you will have the ability to tailor a payment plan to suit your needs — and be assured you’re going to get a fair price, no matter which HVAC system you choose. 

Let us help you find a cool solution for the summer with our comprehensive HVAC service!

The plumbing system in your home is one of the most commonly overlooked items during a maintenance check. We rely on the system to work no matter what, and seldom stop to think about how much it’s used and the subsequent wear and tear. Postponing routine servicing can result in costly repairs and hassle down the line. 

Active Leaks

One key tenant of an operational plumping system is whether or not it’s airtight. If there are any signs of leakage around the pipes and valves this denotes an issue. Leakage not only causes messes around the general vicinity- it can also contribute to corrosion and rust in the mechanics. You may notice that a leak can cause the system to run inefficiently or to stop working all together. Make sure to contact a professional to service this issue right away to prevent any future problems!

Water Heaters

As we approach cooler months, it’s important to check your heating systems to ensure it’s functioning properly. Part of this is accessing how heat is connected to the plumbing system. If there is any corrosion or other forms of damage – this can cause a problem with the water heater. You may notice your water is not heating as well as it did before, or that it’s not working at all. If you uncover an issue – the best course of action is to contact a licensed professional to get the job done. At Platinum Home Warranty – we will dispatch a technician to service the water heater correctly. 

Drain Maintenance

Another issue that could crop up is clogged drains, which if left unattended, can cause an overflow. This particular problem is usually very obvious and presents an inconvenience and sanitation concerns. If it’s a sink or shower drain – typically, the problem is caused by debris or hair build up and can be fixed with a drain snake or liquid drain cleaner. If you think the blockage is more developed and cannot be fixed with store-bought products, it’s best to contact a plumber. They will have the tools to remove the blockage quickly without damaging anything in the surrounding area. 

Corrosion

Due to frequency of use – many plumbing systems are prone to corrosion over time. This can present as a leak, rust, and other forms of build-up. When this happens, it makes the system malfunction and can also allow for dangerous metals and other chemicals to get into your water supply. Severe corrosion can affect ease of use and even stall the entire system. Check the pipes and valves on a regular basis and make sure there isn’t any noticeable damage. Even if you do not notice anything externally, there could be corrosion within the system – in this case it’s always best to reach out to a service technician. 

 

Nowadays, it seems like the pace of the world is faster than ever and there is never enough time. With personal projects, work, family and time for yourself – sometimes taking care of your home is put on the backburner. Small maintenance chores are an important aspect of ambience and comfort. When these tasks go unattended- it’s pretty easy for things to pile up, resulting in an untidy and cluttered home. At Platinum Home Warranty, we believe that a clean and organized property is the first step toward a streamlined life. Here are some tips on how to make sure your living space is well-kept.

Clean up at night

Tasks can feel daunting when they are left to worsen over time – and the pile of clutter becomes insurmountable. Luckily, a small amount of effort per night can have a drastic effect on your to-do list. Rather than dedicating a free Saturday afternoon to organizing your home – address it in small pieces instead. Set a timer for 10 minutes and do as much as you can in that window of time. Organize one specific part of the house, for example – the kitchen or living room only. If you’d like to branch out from a particular area, try to go through several rooms and do as much as you can before time is up. Now, you can retire for the night knowing that you got something done!

Repair or Discard

Believe it or not, machinery that is in disrepair can add to general disarray. Faulty heating and cooling systems, damaged windows and glass, or unsanitary pools, are issues that decrease the aesthetic value of your home. We pride ourselves on offering a quick and easy solution to a variety of repairs. By requesting a service through our concierge system you will be matched with an expert who is the best for the job. If the item in question is nearly impossible to salvage or hazardous to your health/environment, a best practice is to dispose of it just in case.

Five Items Per Week

After years of shopping, collecting and decorating your home – you might look up and wonder how things got out of control! It’s easy to keep items that are unnecessary or otherwise cumbersome. When attempting to purge, many feel like it’s impossible to let go. Make it easier by trying the five-item rule: each week, discard or donate five items, no matter the size. A pen, a pile of magazines, a worn out pair of shoes – they all count! Over time, you will see your clutter decrease without feeling like you gave away something precious. If you can’t part with five – try three: a little goes a long way! 

Revisit Storage Areas

Organizing and storing your belongings helps to decrease clutter. Although you may have put items into containers, or moved appliances into a more suitable spot – this is a task that always needs to be revisited. More specifically, the garage is notorious for becoming the epitome of chaos; this area experiences high-volume use, and contains many important household items. Prioritize sorting the garage every six months to ensure that everything is in order. If you find issues that surpass general clutter such as a broken door/misalignment, a faulty remote timing system or issues with wiring – we can help. Schedule a service appointment to keep your garage functional, clean and well-lit. 

Utilizing these organizational tips and consulting us for larger projects, guarantees that your home will stay in great shape. We’ve got the solution to a variety of maintenance and repair issues – and all of the resources you need are a call away! Once you streamline your space, it frees up time for enjoyable home improvement projects that will continue to add value and comfort any property].

As the weather shifts and temperatures continue to drop – our homes are affected almost as much as we are! Properties need maintenance when the cooler months approach – it’s important to prepare your home in advance to avoid hassle. By weather-proofing your space you can ensure that your house is safe and maintained from the inside out. Here are some things to keep in mind during the changing seasons.

Storm Season

Depending on where you live – storm windows may be essential. You can also consider them if you’re concerned about damage due to heavy rains or snow during those one-off seasonal storms. It’s important to know how to install them properly to protect your home from potential incidents. Most people are no experts in assessment and installation of this type of window treatment. If you’re unsure – you could ruin the surrounding base and add costs in the long run. At Platinum Home Warranty – we dispatch a technician who can help get the job done.

Check the Doors

When it gets cooler during the end of the year – it’s surprising how many tiny facets of your home can help or hurt the temperature. Something as minute as a faulty vent or old thermostat system can alter the level of comfort in the home and make you miserable! One thing to note is whether or not there is a draft coming from certain doors around the house. Depending on the age and layout of the space, this issue can present itself as air circulates. Consider purchasing a door draft stopper to prevent excess cold air from getting through!

Insulation Helps

Weatherproofing the home can mean addressing many different regions within the space. This includes areas that you may not think affect anything such as the basement or attic. There is a  constant source of air flow that circulates throughout these areas and can contribute to overall comfort and air quality. By insulating the area with proper materials to stop the flow of incoming or exiting air – you get a better handle on internal temperature as well as HVAC costs! If you need assistance with this process – don’t hesitate to contact us! We work with experts who understand the nuances of this preventative measure!

Consider the Paint

A property that is painted correctly can actually help ward off various weather conditions. It keeps the external material of your home sturdy and helps slow wear and tear. Environmental temperature changes – whether its extreme heat to cold or vice versa – can wreak havoc on the paint. The surface of your home can expand, peel and erode. This leaves potential for cracks to form, and moisture to collect in unwanted areas; mold, mildew and other damage can occur when this happens. Make sure to check your home regularly and access whether the paint needs a touch-up.

This post is part of our Conversations at Home series, which aims to help spark positive and fruitful discussions in your home. It’s born out of the spirit of one of our company core values here at Platinum — Gratitude: “We focus our minds on the good stuff.” We hope you find these conversations starters to be helpful! —

Gather ’round. It’s time to refresh our conversations once again! We’re back with a few more questions to spice things up. It’s your call when and where to bust these out — whether that be in the company of family or friends or when engaging in solo journaling. Pick one or more question(s) to create positive conversation — with others or yourself — this week:

• What are you excited about today?

• What’s one thing you admire about the person sitting to your left?

• How can you be generous this week?

• What job would you like to try for one week?

• What’s your favorite invention of the last 50 years?

• WILDCARD: Make up your own!

PS – If you missed Part One and Part Two they hold even more thoughtful questions for you!

This post is part of our Conversations at Home series, which aims to help spark positive and fruitful discussions in your home. It’s born out of the spirit of one of our company core values here at Platinum — Gratitude: “We focus our minds on the good stuff.” We hope you find these conversations starters to be helpful!

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It’s summer. We live in Phoenix. Have you ever noticed how many conversations this time of year seem to get caught on that not-so-uplifting discussion about how dang hot it is? Oops! Yes, we recognize the irony in the fact that we just fell into that trap too… 😉

Instead of getting stuck there, let’s spark some more fruitful discussions too. Pick one or more question(s) to create positive conversation this week. As we mentioned last go ‘round, it’s your call when and where to bust these out — be that at the dinner table, before bedtime or on a walk in the neighborhood!

• What’s one of your favorite things about living in AZ?

• If you were to start your own non-profit, what would it be?

• What superpower do you wish you had, and why?

• What is one of the best pieces of advice or insight you’ve ever received?

• What’s something that’s inspired you recently?

• WILDCARD: Make up your own!

This post is part of our Gratitude series, which reminds us to celebrate the ordinary things as we navigate life at home.

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Today we’re grateful for… the sofa.

That cozy couch beckons us to kick up our feet, sink in and take rest. In a world of endless to-dos, we SO need those fluffy pillows and comforting cushions reminding us to chill out.

What a powerful thing it can be to give ourselves a space to breathe and set aside the concerns of the day for a moment — getting lost in a conversation, a nap, a book or perhaps a movie. Somehow, the sofa gives us permission to do all these things.

So thanks, sofa, for reminding us that we are indeed humans who need moments of rest and renewal, not machines. It’s worth celebrating those moments of renewal that you invite us into.

This post is part of our Gratitude series, which reminds us to celebrate the ordinary things as we navigate life at home.

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Today we’re grateful for… that chipped wall.

…and, the story it tells. It transports us back to that day when little Johnny turned the corner too quick and took a chunk out of the wall with his hockey stick. His look of shock and mortification was absolutely hilarious and priceless. It screamed — OH NO. I’m doomed. Somehow, we let that become one of our better parental moments — we met his fear with loving laughter instead of harsh reprimand.

So yes, chipped wall, there’s a good part of us that’d prefer you didn’t exist. We dream about a more pristine hallway without you there. And yet, there’s a good part of us that’s grateful for your reminder — even when when we make a mistake or things fail to go as planned, we can still laugh and give ourselves a bit of grace. 

This post is part of our Gratitude series, which reminds us to celebrate the ordinary things as we navigate life at home.

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Today we’re grateful for… the laundry that needs folding.

It’s an invitation — cast off the demands of the always-on world for a moment. Drop the devices. Engage in a humble act that allows you to disconnect and take a moment to breathe.

If we let it, that mundane act can transform into an opportunity. The pile of clothes can beckon us to find peace in the simple things. The hands-on chore can strangely become so rhythmic and therapeutic.

And that’s when we find ourselves saying — stack of laundry, thanks for being here. You remind us that comfort can be found in something so unbelievably ordinary.

This post is part of our Gratitude series, which reminds us to celebrate the ordinary things as we navigate life at home.

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Today we’re grateful for… the roof over our heads.

This time of year things get a little stormy out there. Monsoon madness delivers dusty air, gusts of wind, doses of extreme heat and often a few raindrops too. A roof offers the physical protection we need from all of those elements. We can sit safely in our homes, glance out the window and be filled with a bit of fascination about what’s going on out there.

When you think about it, roofs offer us a bit of mental and emotional security too. Things can get a little crazy in our jobs, activities, relationships. (Can we get an amen?!) Having a place to inhabit and return to again and again can ground us. Amidst the everyday ebbs and flows, we’re quite grateful for that roof over our heads. In all of its simplicity, it reminds us that shelter can be found, even amidst life’s storms.