News & Tips

This summer, Coachella Valley residents have experienced temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for 30 days more than what has occurred during the same period in previous years. In addition, extreme heat and extended periods of high humidity has made for some challenges to HVAC systems, as well as to individual utility bills. As a result, we have discovered a number of client condensate lines that have become blocked, causing both water and mechanical failure issues. Therefore, we recommend that all of our clients establish a regular service schedule to clear the lines at least once a year.

Important Reminder: If you have not yet completed and returned your Season Home Opening instruction form, it is extremely important that you do so no less than three weeks prior to your anticipated return to the desert so that we have ample time to prepare your home for your return. You may use our website to complete and send an instruction form online.

Due to a variety of weather conditions experienced this summer, and with the onset of our winter “rainy season” and daylight savings time change which occurs in November, we have several important service suggestions for your consideration. Please call our office at 760-773-4081 to request an estimate or schedule service.

1. Roof Inspections – Premier Residential Services has arranged with Williams Roofing to provide a special offer that includes inspection of a client’s entire roof for any visible signs of leaks, cracks, splits, broken tiles and skylight damage. A written report with any repair recommendations will be provided to the client for review. Photos are available on request. The special cost of the inspection as outlined is $99.00.
2. Roof, Downspout, Gutter and Drain Cleaning – We strongly suggest that you arrange to have your roof, downspouts, gutters and drains flushed out and cleared of accumulated falling leaves and debris. This small preventive step can help you to avoid future problems of rain water build up on your roof or back up from occurring in your drainage system, possibly leading to a major leak in the house.
3. Daylight Savings time change on Sunday, November 4^th – The change serves as a reminder that the Fire Marshall recommends replacing your smoke detector batteries at least yearly and the smoke detectors every three (3) years to keep the detectors operative and functioning properly. In addition to changing the batteries, it is also recommended that landscape lights be adjusted to account for the shift in daylight hours. Premier Residential Services can also perform an interior/exterior light check to replace burnt out light bulbs and non functioning photo cells, as well as change the batteries in all of your TV and garage door remotes.
4. Carbon Monoxide Alarms – If you have not installed Carbon Monoxide Alarms (required by law beginning July 1, 2011), this would be the ideal time to do so. If you have, batteries should also be replaced in these units.

August was an extremely hot and humid month. There were a number of days that utility companies imposed conservation measures and are advising customers to expect much higher than normal electric utility bills. There have also been several “monsoon” rain storms that affected various Coachella Valley communities.

As the beginning of the Season approaches, we have a Home Opening Services form available here on our website for the use of clients whose homes have not been occupied throughout the summer. You can always find a link to this form in the drop-down menu from the “Services” item in the navigation bar.

To ensure timely scheduling of requested services, it is extremely important that your completed form be submitted no later than three weeks prior to your arrival date.

Here are several home opening suggestions for your consideration. Please call our office at 760-773-4081 for an estimate or to arrange for service (here are other ways to contact us).

1. Drapery and Blind Cleaning – To have your window treatments cleaned, Premier Residential Services can arrange “on-site” service. Our vendor service vehicle contains all of the necessary equipment to clean your drapes, valances, cornice boxes and all types of blinds, including Hunter Douglas products. The cleaning system is safe for all types of fabrics, including silks and blackout lined drapes. All drapes are taken down and dry cleaned. They are then professionally re-hung, with any minor repairs completed prior to re-hanging on the same day.
2. Carpet & Upholstered Furniture Cleaning – Let us know if you would like to have either service scheduled or an estimate for cleaning, prior to your arrival. The warm weather provides for faster and more thorough drying.
3. Artificial Plant & Tree Cleaning – Premier Residential Services can arrange to have your artificial decorative plants and trees cleaned so that they are, once again, looking fresh and vibrant. You will notice the difference.
4. Vehicle/ Golf Cart Service – If you have a vehicle or golf cart at your desert residence, let us know what maintenance services you would like us to perform and we will arrange to have your instructions carried out.
5. Pool/Spa/Fountain Cleaning – Now is an ideal time to schedule cleaning (acid wash/tile cleaning) service for your pool, spa or fountain to remove built up mineral/salt deposits prior to your return.

Last Wednesday brought our first taste of Summer Monsoon weather. More than an inch of rain fell in a short period of time. This week, hot and humid weather is predicted with temperatures in the 115° range. This weather pattern often causes late day thunderstorms, which typically bring a significant amount of rain that falls quickly. This is one of the reasons we always suggest that you have Premier Residential Services clean your roof, gutters, and downspouts to ensure that accumulated water can drain.

Our staff continues to diligently conduct inspections of clients’ homes. When we have discovered problems, we have quickly addressed these issues by initiating action with our customers’ vendors or by directly communicating possible solutions to our customers.

As we do in each of our monthly letters, we are pleased to offer several timely service suggestions for your consideration:

1. Bedspread & Duvet Cover Cleaning – Now is an ideal time to have your bedspreads, duvet covers, mattress covers and blankets dry cleaned or laundered. Premier Residential Services can arrange for cleaning and insure that items are placed in plastic bags so that they will be ready for use when needed.
2. Aerator Cleaning – The high mineral content of the valley’s water supply is the reason why sinks, faucets, showerheads and mister system nozzles become clogged, cutting off the water flow, as well as discoloring the hardware when the evaporating water residue dries. The maintenance department can clean the screens as well as remove the built up mineral deposits from these items, allowing the fixtures to look and act as new.
3. Vehicle and Golf Car Batteries – Every summer we have had to replace several clients’ vehicle and golf car batteries because they were failing and no longer able to hold a charge. During our inspections, we also discovered that terminals became corroded and battery cables required replacement. We have been advised by the distributors that if a battery is 4-6 years old, the likelihood is that it will begin to fail and/or not be able to hold a charge. Premier Residential Services can replace the 6 or 8 volt batteries for you, as well as clean the terminals of built up corrosion and replace cables if needed. Any golf car that operates with a 12-volt system requires replacement from the distributor. Contact the office if you feel that your golf car requires battery replacement and we will have it ready for your return in the fall.

We began our summer schedule on July 2^nd. The summer hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8am-4 pm. Should an after-hours emergency occur, as is our company policy, you can contact a Premier Residential Service’s staff member on-duty at 760-773-4081, and then follow the prompts on the after-hours telephone message.

Summer is always an ideal time to assess the condition of your home and to schedule projects that can be completed while you are away.

Here are several service suggestions for your consideration:

1. Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning – The summer season is an ideal time to schedule carpet and upholstery cleaning. We’ll obtain a free estimate from one of our vendors to clean your rugs and furniture.
2. Sprinkler System & Landscape Light Checks – Water and electricity is very expensive. If you are away until the fall, this is an ideal time for you to request that Premier Residential Services perform a sprinkler and landscape lighting check. The check will ensure that your irrigation system is working properly and that there are no broken irrigation heads. At the same time, we can check the landscape lighting to make sure that the timers are properly set and that any photo cells and landscape lights are functioning properly.
3. Appliance Water Filter Cartridge Replacement – Manufacturers of Insta-hot systems, refrigerators with water dispensers and ice makers, water filtration systems, freezers and ice making machines recommend that homeowners replace the water filter cartridges at least yearly. Simply contact us and we can replace your water filters.
4. Grout Repair – The grout in your tile floors, as well as in and around showers, tubs and sinks can develop cracks or have pieces become loose or fall out. Now is a good time to have repairs made or to re-grout the areas requiring work, to allow the grouted surfaces to completely dry.
5. Door Bell Button Replacement – We have noticed that there are a number of homes that have door bell buttons that are cracked or broken and in need of replacement. We can replace the buttons upon your request.

Please contact our office at 760-773-4081 if you have any other special projects that we can assist you with.

We endeavor to make our clients aware of new and useful services, as well as the latest technology innovations that can enhance your desert home experience. We are pleased to provide several product suggestions to achieve that goal.

1. Shaw Canadian Television Link – Now our Canadian Clients can have a Shaw Direct Satellite Dish installed in their desert homes, enabling them to receive Shaw “Home Away from Home” broadcasts.
2. Desert Home Cell Reception – There is a remedy for poor cell reception in your home. One of our preferred vendors is now able to boost the cell phone signal coverage for your home in the Coachella Valley by creating an “Indoor Cell Zone.”
3. Portable Outdoor Speaker System – One of our audio vendors is offering a wireless Soundcast outdoor loudspeaker(s) system for your patio or pool area. The speaker is compatible with iPod/iPhone and other Apple® based music libraries.
4. LED White or Multi–color Lighting Tape – One of our electrical vendors is able to install ¼ inch wide flexible ribbon/strip-tape with affixed LEDs capable of full spectrum colors or white light only. Possible uses include under cabinet and interior cabinet lighting, display lighting, under-counter accent lighting, niche-highlighting, backlighting: flat screen TV and artwork.
5. Clothes Dryer Vent Cleaning – It is recommended to periodically clean out the built up lint from the entire clothes dryer exhaust system (vent hoses, machine vent housing and the external exhaust cover). The Fire Marshall warns us that clothes dryers start more residential fires than any other appliance.
6. Washing Machine Water Hose Replacement – Laundry equipment manufacturers recommend that hot and cold rubber water hoses along with the gaskets on your washing machines be replaced every 18 months due to the extreme desert heat and constant fluctuations in water pressure, which can cause water related damage to your home. We recommend replacing the rubber hoses with the metal braided style and installing a new set of easy-to-use hot and cold water line shut off valves as necessary.

Please call our office for pricing, installation or further information regarding these suggestions or to request assistance with any other home project that you would like to accomplish this summer at 760-773-4081.

Our offices will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday, Monday, May 28.

The Coachella Valley Water District served notice that “all unpaid charges for water and services greater than $25.00 and delinquent for 60 days or more as of June 30, 2012, will be transferred to the county property tax roll and become a lien upon your property, under California Water Code Section 31701.5.” As an FYI, we have noted that the utility companies are very quick to shut off services for accounts that have become delinquent.

Here are a few summer service suggestions for your consideration:

1. Touch-up/Interior Painting – If you would like to repair the nicks and dings on the walls of your home or have a fresh coat of paint applied to other areas of the house, call our office at 760-773-4081 to arrange for an estimate.
2. Garage, Exterior Doors & Entry Gate Painting and Care – We can provide an estimate to repaint, stain or oil your garage doors, exposed exterior doors and entry/side yard gates, so that they are further protected from exposure to direct sunlight. In addition, on your garage door mechanisms, we can lubricate the drive, tension springs and all moving parts, allowing the lift motor(s) an easier time of opening and closing the doors.
3. Summer Wine Storage – Premier Residential Services has made arrangements for any client who would be interested in having their wine stored during the summer in an off-site, state-of-the-art refrigeration storage facility. The Wine Vault has created an attractive storage program for our clients. Please call our office at 760-773-4081 for details or to make storage arrangements.
4. Outdoor Furniture Maintenance – Tables, chairs and lounges suffer from prolonged exposure to the desert elements. Wood furniture can be restored with a refreshing treatment of wood oil. Metal furniture can be restored as well, by having the frames repainted or by having a fresh powder coating applied. In addition, the straps can be replaced and new cushions ordered.
5. Tile Floor & Grout Cleaning – While you are away this summer, it is an excellent time to have your tile and stone floors (Travertine, marble, limestone, pavers etc.) cleaned. Cleaning is recommended every two years to maintain the look and vibrancy of the floors in your home. Our vendors will strip and deep clean the floors and grout, seal and buff to a finish (high gloss or matte) and fill holes and replace grout as requested. At the same time, showers, vanities and counter tops can be inspected and an estimate will be prepared for your review.

At the beginning of this month there were number of minor earthquakes in the 3.5 (or less) range centered about 10 miles north of Indio. These events provide us with a reminder that earthquakes can occur at anytime. We would like to point out that if you have not taken steps to try to limit potential damage by earthquake-proofing your residence where possible, it is not too late. Premier Residential Services can provide a list of suggestions, as well as arrange to document your household belongings for insurance purposes with digital photographs on a DVD. Contact the office at (760) 773-4081 to make arrangements.

In case you are not aware, Palm Springs Airport parking lot has raised the daily rate to $12.00.

If you have not done so, please let us know when you plan to depart the valley for the summer.

Premier Residential Services has a Summer Home Watch Program that provides inspections to homes only during the summer time period. If you have neighbors, friends or family members who have homes in the Coachella Valley who may not be aware that Premier Residential Services can provide home watch services during their absence, please recommend us to them and ask them to contact us at (760) 773-4081 for information about our services.

We are pleased to provide the following additional service suggestions for your consideration:

1. Misting System Annual Service – Like any mechanical system, to obtain peak performance, it is always wise to schedule a yearly preventive maintenance service before the true hot weather arrives. The service includes the cleaning of all nozzles; change the pump oil; replace all filters; flushing & draining the system of residual water and a thorough system inspection. Premier Residential Services can also arrange to provide a proposal for the installation of a new system.
2. General Maintenance Services – The high mineral content of the desert’s water supply not only creates a cloudy look to the glass in your bathrooms, but it also creates maintenance issues throughout your home. Faucets, shower heads and aerators can become clogged and discolored, creating reduced water flow and inadequate shower pressure. Premier Residential Services can remove the “hard water” stains from your glass and to increase the water flow, we can clean mineral deposits from fixtures and aerators. In addition, it is a good time to drain and flush your hot water tank(s). We can lubricate door hinges to mitigate “squeaky” noises. Let us know if your toilet(s) could benefit from a new flapper or fill system to stop the constant sound of the tank filling with water.

March is a very busy month with valley events that include the BNP Paribis Open that features great tennis in a terrific venue, The La Quinta Arts Festival, The Gardens on El Paseo Wine, Music and Fashion Events and, of course, the best weather in the country.

We would like to remind golf cart owners that it is very important to maintain battery water levels. If the water level becomes too low and the core is exposed, you will drain the battery. If you are staying in your home for an extended period of time and using the cart, we recommend that you allow us to periodically check your golf cart batteries and service them as needed. This will extend the life of the batteries.

The following are several additional service suggestions for your consideration:

1. Air Conditioning Service – If you have not arranged to have your HVAC units serviced, this is an optimal time to schedule this service to insure that your units run efficiently this summer. Our service includes either replacing or cleaning the filters; checking the blower belts and bearings, as well as the wiring contacts and condensate lines. The condenser areas will be cleaned; the duct/plenum connections will be checked; the ambient/plenum temperatures will be taken and the coils will be vacuumed and cleaned of accumulated debris.
2. Screen Repair & Replacement – If your door or window screens have cuts/excessive wear and tears in the screen material or seem to have rollers that are either broken, frozen or will not slide easily, the solution is to replace the screen material and rollers. We can also order replacements for frames that are bent, warped or broken.
3. Window Washing & Patio Cleaning – As a result of the winter rains and high winds, your windows may have become water spotted and dusty. We can wash the exterior view windows and clean your patio so you can enjoy the all that the desert has to offer. Call us to arrange for service.
4. Daylight Savings Time Change – The daylight savings time change this year is March 11. Landscape lights and pool pump timers should be adjusted for the time change. This is also the time to have Premier Residential Service’s maintenance department replace smoke detector batteries to assure proper operation of the detectors. At the same time, we can install carbon monoxide alarms, replace burnt-out light bulbs both inside and outside the residence, as well as to check the outdoor photocells for proper operation.
5. Wall Repairs & Painting – If the walls or wallpaper in your home have suffered water damage or are the victim of bothersome dents, dings, gouges or cracks, Premier Residential Services can make repairs to the dry wall and texture the finish to match so that the touch up painting will make the damage invisible. We can also attempt to repair or recommend replacement of your wallpaper. Call the office at (760) 773-4081 to schedule the work or an estimate.

Except for two major wind events during the month of January, desert residents enjoyed warmer than normal temperatures. Valley-wide events, such as the Palm Springs Film Festival and Humana Golf Challenge, benefited from the mild and warm weather conditions. Hopefully, the month of February will result in similar good fortune.

Premier Residential Services is pleased to offer its clients convenient transportation to local and other Coachella Valley destinations. As a reminder, transportation reservations must be made no less than 24 hours in advance to avoid an additional administrative late charge to coordinate your request.

This month’s service suggestions are:

1. Drains, Downspouts and Gutter Cleaning
   Although we have not had a significant rain event this winter, this does not mean that we have escaped water-related problems that can be encountered in your home from the result of clogged drain pipes. When water is blocked from flowing freely off the roof and through drainage pipes, accumulated water may leak into the residence. If you have not had your drain pipes flushed and roof cleared of debris, it should be done on a twice-yearly basis to avoid the potential of water damage. Contact our office at 760-773-4081 to schedule services.
2. BBQ Grill Starter
   Many barbecue grills come with a battery-operated ignition system to create the spark that ignites the burners. If you are having difficulty starting your grill, Premier Residential Services can replace the battery(s) and at the same time clean your grill and cooking racks so that they are fresh and clean. Call us to arrange for service.
3. Bathroom Safety
   Installation of grab bars and/or safety rails on the walls of your bath tubs, showers, or other bathroom areas can pay dividends many times over by creating a safer home environment. Premier Residential Service’s maintenance department is available to install these devices for your protection.

As the New Year begins, the Coachella Valley is enjoying higher than normal temperatures (in the 80s), unlike the rest of the country, which has experienced a severe cold snap accompanied by debilitating ice and snow storms.

As a reminder, if your golf cart batteries are more than four years old, it is highly recommended that the batteries be replaced to avoid future problems.

In addition, we are pleased to provide these four New Year maintenance suggestions:

1. Bird-Related Problems – If your residence seems to be attracting birds and they are becoming a nuisance with nesting materials and other unsightly debris, Premier Residential Services can install spikes along the roof-line edge of the overhangs as well as on the surfaces of your chimney(s) to discourage the birds from nesting. We can also power wash any affected areas around your home, including driveways.
2. Hot Water Tank Service – If you have not had your hot water tank(s) drained and flushed, now is an opportune time to schedule service. Regular periodic service not only can extend the life of the tank(s) but also will allow the unit to operate more efficiently, saving money and energy. If your service cabinet platform is in need of repair or replacement, we can also assist with that task.
3. Maintenance and Repair Services – Is the water flow from your shower heads, faucets, and aerators weak? Do your sinks, shower drains or bathtubs drain very slowly? Do you have an annoying drippy faucet or a toilet that seems not to fill properly? Would you like to have weatherstripping installed to prevent drafts and heat loss? Do you need light bulbs replaced in difficult-to-reach areas? Does your cabinet drawer not close properly, or is your doorbell button broken? Are the screen door rollers and latches no longer in good working order? Does the built-up lint in your laundry dryer exhaust system need to be cleaned out? If so, our expert maintenance specialists can make these and all the other nagging little household problems go away.
4. Address Sign and Landscape Light Repair/Cleaning – If your address lights, garage lights or landscape lights have burnt-out bulbs or require replacement photocell sensors, or if the landscape lenses are covered by a thick film from hard water deposits created by sprinklers, We can clean the lights for you or, if the lenses are beyond cleaning, replace them to provide better illumination throughout your property. We can also perform landscape light and sprinkler system checks.

Please call our office (760-773-4081) to arrange for these and other related property and personal services to make this year pleasant and enjoyable for you.

We are sure that if you are a Coachella Valley resident, you have had to use your furnace over the past week. The high Santa Ana winds, coupled with the drop in temperatures, have made it uncomfortable enough to turn up the thermostat to warm your home. If you have not changed your furnace filters, now is a good time to do so. We also want to remind you that if you have not had your roof, downspouts and gutters cleaned of accumulated debris, this preventive measure can save you from future headaches caused by rain-water related problems.

As a reminder, the Premier Residential Service’s offices will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2.

We are pleased to offer four service suggestions for your consideration this month:

1. Running Toilets – It has been noted that a number of clients have had issues with their toilets. Premier Residential Services can replace the float valves and flappers to stop the toilets from running. At the same time, the feed lines can be replaced with braided wire hose to mitigate the possibility of a future leak problem. Please contact the office to schedule the service.
2.  Grout Replacement & Drain Cleanout – If the showers, tubs or sinks in your home have developed cracks or need the grout replaced in and around the tiles, Premier Residential Services can help. If you notice that the water is draining too slowly from sinks, tubs or showers, the drains should be cleaned out.  In addition, if any of the shower pans might have developed a leak, these too can be replaced.
3. Weather Strip Replacement – Heat or cooling loss through openings and cracks can be costly. Premier Residential Services can replace or install energy-saving weather stripping, as well as caulk around doors and windows. In addition, the weather stripping on garage and golf cart doors can be replaced. These small steps can not only save on energy consumption but also cut down on the dust and sand that seems to always be present.
4. Holiday Help – If you would like help to assist in serving or cleaning up during and after a holiday gathering, Christmas Dinner or a New Year’s Party, Premier Residential Services does have members of our staff who are available to help in clients’ homes. Contact the office at (760) 773-4081 for details and scheduling.

The management and staff of Premier Residential Services would like to extend to you our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and healthy New Year.

The unreasonable weather in other parts of the country makes our weather and vistas in the Coachella Valley particularly attractive. The winter grass and newly planted flowers are flourishing, which further compliments Mother Nature’s palette.

As a reminder, the Riverside County real estate tax payments are due and payable by December 10th. Also, remember to adjust your landscape light clocks to account for the time change.

We are pleased to offer a few suggestions for your consideration.

1. Heating and Air Conditioning System Service – Now that temperatures have moderated, if you have not arranged to have your units serviced, this is an optimal time of year to schedule service to insure that your units run efficiently this winter. Our service includes either replacing or cleaning the filters; checking the blower belts and bearings, as well as the wiring contacts and condensate lines; the condenser areas will be cleaned, the duct/plenum connections will be checked as will the ambient temperature and plenum temperature and the coils will be vacuumed and cleaned of accumulated debris.
2. Clothes Dryer Vents  – Clothes dryers start more residential fires than any other appliance. It is extremely important to periodically clean the built-up lint from the entire exhaust system (vent hoses, machine vent housing and the external exhaust cover) not just from the machine screen. If you have not had the vents cleaned recently, now is an excellent time to arrange this service.
3. Automobile Replacement Batteries – The desert summer temperatures take their toll on automobile batteries. If your vehicle battery is more than 3 ½ years old, you may want to avoid possible battery failure by replacing your existing battery. We can purchase and install a new battery for most vehicles.
4. Thanksgiving Day Help – Premier Residential Services is pleased to offer housekeeping help on Thanksgiving Day to assist in serving and cleaning up after your holiday gathering. If you wish to have one of our staff assist in your home, please contact the office to schedule service and confirm cost (minimum costs apply).

The Premier Residential Service’s management and staff wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.