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.

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.

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.

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 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 showerheads, 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.

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 like to extend to you our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and healthy New Year.

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.

We have several service suggestions that we feel are important for you to consider. Please call the office to for an estimate or schedule the service (760-773-4081).

1. Roof Inspections

The brutal summer sun and high temperatures can compromise your home’s roof. Premier Residential Services has arranged with a vendor partner, Williams Roofing, to once again provide a special roof inspection offer. Williams Roofing will inspect a client’s entire roof for any visible signs of leaks, roof damage, 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

As you are aware, our area has a winter “rainy season.” 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 avoid future problems of rain water buildup on your roof or backup in your drainage system, which could possibly lead to a major leak in the house.

3. Smoke Detector Batteries & Landscape Light Timers

Daylight Savings time change this year is on Sunday, November 6th. The change serves as a reminder that the Fire Marshall recommends replacing your smoke detector batteries at least yearly to keep the smoke detectors operative and functioning properly as well as to avoid the annoying middle-of-the-night beeping sound when the battery becomes weak.

If you have not installed Carbon Monoxide Alarms (required by law beginning July 1, 2011), this is the ideal opportunity to install them. It is also recommended that address sign lights, exterior sconces and garage lights be checked. Landscape lights on timers should also be adjusted to account for the shift in the daylight hours. Premier Residential Services can schedule an interior/exterior light check to replace any burnt-out light bulbs and non-functioning photocells, as well as to change the batteries in all your TV remotes.

We at Premier Residential Services want your residence to be fully prepared and operational upon your return. It is extremely important that you advise us of your plans and anticipated date to return to the Coachella Valley.

This month we have several home opening service tips for you to consider. Please call our office for an estimate or to arrange for service.

1. Drapery and Blind Cleaning – If you would like to have your window treatments cleaned, Premier Residential Services can arrange for the cleaning to be done on site at your home.  Our vendor partner’s service vehicle contains all 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, then 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 are interested in 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 once again look fresh and vibrant.
4. Vehicle and Golf Cart Service – If you have a vehicle or golf cart at your desert residence, now is a good time to have it serviced prior to your return for the season. Let us know what services you would like performed, and we will arrange to have your instructions carried out.
5. Pool/Spa/Fountain Cleaning – Prior to your return 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. Your pool can be drained, repairs and maintenance can be performed, and the pool can be filled again.

The Premier Residential concierge staff continues diligently to conduct inspections of clients’ homes. When we have discovered problems, we have quickly addressed these issues by initiating action with your vendors or directly communicating possible solutions to you.

Quick note: Current legislation requires that we dispose of burnt out fluorescent and FLC light bulbs in a responsible manner as they are hazardous waste. On occasion this may result in a disposal fee which will appear on your monthly statement.

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 will 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 causes faucets, shower heads and mister system nozzles to become clogged, cutting off water flow as well as discoloring the hardware when the evaporating water residue dries. The maintenance department can clean the aerator screens as well as remove the built-up mineral deposits from these items, allowing the fixtures to look and act as if new.
3. Golf Cart Batteries – Every summer we are called to replace several clients’ golf cart batteries because they were failing and no longer able to hold a charge. During our inspections, we also commonly discover that terminals have become corroded and battery cables require 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 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 to remove built-up corrosion and replace cables if needed. Any golf cart that operates with a 12-volt system requires replacement from the distributor. Contact the office if you feel that your golf cart requires battery replacement and Premier Residential Services will have it ready for your return in the fall.