Photo by Elena Rouame on Unsplash
Ensuring that your home is well-maintained, is critical to protect your asset and give you the best chance at a solid resale price in the future. There are many maintenance tasks that can easily be handled on your own, and for those who consider themselves handymen, there are quite a few tasks easy enough to handle. But even for the handiest homeowner, there are some maintenance tasks that should be left to a licensed contractor. Below are three home maintenance items that you may want to tackle with a professional.
Bi-annual HVAC maintenance can help keep your HVAC system running longer, can improve the energy efficiency of your home, and can reduce the amount of dust that accumulates on floors and furniture. An HVAC maintenance visit typically involves checking filters and parts for repair or replacement, cleaning all of the components of the system, and checking for any restrictions in airflow. While this may seem simple, HVAC systems are fairly complicated and sometimes even dangerous to work on. Gas leaks and electrical problems can pose possible fire risks, so it is crucial to have someone certified in HVAC repair check for and address these issues.
Plumbing issues can occur for many reasons. In some homes, the piping is old, which means it could be the inappropriate size to handle the flow of water or waste, or it could have become damaged through corrosion or interference by root systems. These issues, along with seal and pressure problems, account for a large part of chronic plumbing issues. Unfortunately, many of these problems are not always apparent to someone who is not trained to look for them. While it may seem simple enough to fix a leaky faucet or a clog if the problems recur, there is likely to be worse problems farther down the line you cannot see. If you notice water where it shouldn't, repetitive leaks, or constant backups, you should call in an experienced plumber to check your system before it results in a major issue such as backed-up sewage, or significant water damage.
A vital part of your home is the roof. It not only protects your home against weather, but it also helps to keep your home insulated, making it more comfortable inside. Unfortunately, it is one of the parts of your home that is most subjected to the elements and may need some maintenance and repairs from time to time. You will want to leave these tasks in the hands of the pros for a couple of reasons. Working on a roof can be dangerous if you are not familiar with it, and could result in serious injuries if you fall. Proper materials, procedures, and products should be used on your roof to ensure that it prevents water from leaking in and to be sure any materials can be properly warrantied.
When you are in need of any of the maintenance issues above, be sure to call in a professional to get the job done. Paying a little more for maintenance could save you a lot of money and time in the long run.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
