NICO Enterprises LLC

07/08/2021

How to Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season
Jun 8, 2021 | Community, Home Maintenance, Homeowners, Seasonal

Your home may be the biggest investment you ever make. Take steps to protect it from fire and natural disasters. During a hurricane, your home may withstand strong winds, storm surge, heavy rainfall, and possibly tornadoes. Such a storm can cause major damage to your home. Here are some strategies to help you prepare your home for hurricane season.
Install High-Impact Glass
If you live in an area that experiences high winds, invest in windows constructed with high-impact glass. Winds can carry tree branches and other debris and send them crashing into your home. Regular window glass will shatter on impact leaving dangerous shards of glass and letting rain into your home.
Consider upgrading your windows to either tempered glass or laminated glass for more protection from a storm. Laminated glass is two panes of glass with a thin film of vinyl between them. If the glass is broken, it will shatter, but the vinyl inside holds the shards in place. Tempered glass is another option. This glass is heat-treated and many times stronger than standard window glass. Tempered glass is a good option because if it does break, it crumbles into small pieces instead of shards with sharp edges.
To further protect windows, install storm shutters or pieces of plywood when you know a hurricane is coming.
Protect the HVAC System
Before hurricane season arrives, make sure the HVAC unit is securely bolted down. Purchase and install a cage that is designed to protect the system during bad weather. When a storm is approaching, cover the HVAC unit by securing a tarp over the cage. Keep trees and shrubs near the home trimmed to reduce the chance that a large limb will damage the HVAC system.
Clean Gutters to Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season
During a hurricane, heavy rainfall can damage your property, especially if the gutters and downspouts are clogged. When water cannot flow freely through the channels, it will be redirected toward your home’s foundation. Overflowing gutters can cause water to run behind the siding, seep beneath the roofing materials, and damage the landscaping. To be better prepared, clean the guttering of your home.
Inspect the Foundation
Cracks in the foundation can lead to flooding during heavy rains. A structural inspection will find problems so you can remedy them before bad weather arrives. Repairing damage will strengthen your home, helping it withstand harsh weather.
Invest in Flood Insurance
Flooding isn’t covered in most standard insurance policies. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, invest in flood insurance. Floods and water damage are leading culprits for structural problems in a home. Flood insurance can be costly, but you can sometimes find discounted rates if you have flood-mitigation measures in place for your home.
Protect Appliances to Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season
Storms are a leading cause of electrical surges and power outages. Both can damage your household appliances. Invest in surge protectors to protect your appliances and electronics during a storm. When bad weather is predicted, unplug any electronics or appliances that are not in use. Doing so will help protect them from surges when the storm passes through.
Nico Home Inspections provides home inspections, including wind mitigation inspections, to Southeast Florida. Contact us to schedule our services.

02/15/2021

Lifespans of Household Appliances

Feb 11, 2021 | Community, Home Maintenance, Homeowners

The appliances in your home help keep your household running smoothly. They assist with chores, making laundry and dish-washing more efficient. Maintaining these machines will help you get the most use out of them. Let’s look at the average lifespans of household appliances and how to keep them running for years to come.

Household Appliances and Their Lifespans
Knowing how old your appliances are and keeping up with maintenance is the best way to keep them running efficiently. Understanding the age is helpful when you need to determine if it’s time to replace an appliance. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and upkeep will help extend the lifespans of your household appliances.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators are a major appliance in every kitchen, and this continuously running appliance can last between 13 and 15 years. Smaller, compact versions have an average lifespan of between 9 and 10 years. Proper care and maintenance will help you extend the lifespan of your refrigerator. Keep it clean, inside and out. Approximately every 3 months, vacuum the refrigerator’s coils. These coils help excessive heat dissipate and keeping them clean will allow your refrigerator to run more efficiently.

Gas and Electric Ranges

Of all the major home appliances, gas ranges are the longest-running at 15 years. An electric range can be expected to last 13 years. To keep your range working smoothly and increase its longevity, frequently clean the surface, drip bowls, and grates. Remove grease that accumulates underneath the dials by removing them and washing them with warm water and mild soap. Keep your range clean to prevent food and grease build-up that could lead to a house fire.
Lifespans of Laundry Appliances in Your Household
Washing machines and clothes dryers have an average lifespan of about 10 years. This can be extended by several years if the machines are well-cared-for. To help your washing machine last longer, clean the drum and check the drain line to make sure it’s free from any obstructions. When loading the machine, verify laundry is loaded evenly to keep the machine balanced. Only do laundry when you have a full load. The clothes dryer should also be frequently cleaned. Remove the lint from the lint trap after each use. This will help your dryer function more effectively, increase its lifespan, prevent house fires, and prevent complications caused by a clogged dryer duct.

Dishwashers

While dishwashers only last around nine years, you may be able to extend that time by one or two years if you follow manufacturer guidelines for maintenance and use. Properly stacking your dishes and watching for drainage issues allows you to stay one step ahead, so you can prevent or repair problems before they worsen. Clean the appliance, check to make sure the water jets are clear, and clean the filter if your machine has one. These are simple ways to keep your dishwasher running well.

Microwaves

Microwaves can last for up to nine years when they’re regularly cleaned and used properly. When heating food, use a microwave-safe cover and remove any food splatter from inside the appliance. This will decrease the chances that air vents could become caked with residue. Frequently wipe underneath the carousel to keep rotation smooth and never run the microwave if it is empty.
Nico Home Inspections offers home inspections to customers in Southeast Florida. Contact us to request our services.

07/16/2020

Reduce Cooling Costs This Summer
Jun 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

reduce cooling costs by keeping air vents clean
When the temperature rises outdoors, often our power bills do too. You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your home comfortable. Here are a few tips to reduce cooling costs this summer.

Reduce Cooling Costs by Keeping Up With Maintenance
Regular HVAC maintenance is the best place to start if you’re hoping to save money on your power bill. A healthy HVAC system works more efficiently. Change the HVAC filters monthly. Before using your system, clean the vent covers and vacuum inside the air vents. This helps the air circulate more freely through your home and the HVAC system won’t have to work so hard to keep the temperature comfortable.

Install a Programmable Thermostat
Technology offers options for reducing energy bills. A programmable thermostat lets you set the temperature for different times of the day. If you’ll be out of the home from 9-5, you can program the thermostat to save energy while you’re away. Another great option for saving money is a smart thermostat. This device can be controlled by your smartphone, even when you’re not home. If you forget to adjust the temperature before leaving for the day, it’s easy to change the setting from your phone.

Close the Curtains to Reduce Cooling Costs
Use blinds or blackout curtains to cover the windows during the hottest part of the day. The sun’s rays will warm up your home, but curtains will block the rays. Close the curtains on sunny days and open them in the evenings.

Use Appliances at Night
The clothes washer and dryer and the dishwasher are a few of your household appliances that generate heat when in use. Wait until evening to wash clothes or run the dishwasher and only use the machine when you have a full load. You’ll save on the power bill and you won’t overheat the house by using your appliances during the hottest part of the day.

Nico Home Inspections provides inspection services to homes in South Florida. Contact us to schedule our services.

Copyright © 2018 Nico Home Inspections LLC | Designed By HomeGauge Web Services

07/15/2018

Don't wait to the last minute to get hurricane ready. The delivery time for opening protections such as impact windows and doors, storms panels, shutters and etc. is getting longer and longer, allow the time needed for proper job........

06/16/2018

Home inspection, wind mitigation, 4-point, and more.Miami-Dade, Broward PalmBeach counties. Certified, licensed and insured. Residential, commercial, multi-family. Consumer friendly computer reports, photos and videos, arrows and circles

12/24/2016

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my clients, may this holiday seal the end of a wonderful year and the beginning of even a better one.
God bless you all.

04/11/2016

02/03/2016

Home inspection is an investment....protect your family your self and your home with an Inspection from Nico Home Inspections

12/25/2015

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my clients, agents and every one that appreciate my services and has partcipated on the success of Nico Home Inspection division of Nico Enterprises LLC. Thank you to all of you and may God Bless you all

09/29/2015

https://youtu.be/-y6xQL3Y3UU

What really matters in a home inspection? Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has...

06/23/2015

Check me out at www.nicoinspections.com

08/29/2014