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In one way or the other, we all imagine ourselves being “handy” from time to time. At least handy enough to do home repair services on our own. No, not everyone believes they can fix a broken furnace or repair a hole in the roof. But, some of the more stubborn individuals and mechanical tinkerers out there like to try repair work themselves, even if they shouldn't.
There’s something admirable about putting in work, feeling self-satisfaction, and proving yourself worthy to complete a task. However, some home repair services should only be left to trained professionals.
By attempting to fix issues and perform home repair services on household appliances and structures, you may take unnecessary risks. Homes in New England can have unique and tricky problems. Professionals undergo years of training and licensing to be able to perform home service repairs, and it’s best to leave these tasks to them to avoid damaging your home and risking your safety.
If you don't get these services done professionally, it could come back to bite you if and when you sell your home. Buyer's inspections are meant to uncover issues that can be future problems. If found by potential buyers, these issues could knock thousands of dollars off of potential offers. Or perhaps keep buyers away completely.
We suggest getting a pre-lisitng inspection to identify what problems need to be dealt with, and calling professionals to get the job done right.
In this article, we will be discussing the top 5 home repair services that are best left to professionals.
Water heaters are the unsung workhorses in our homes. They provide us with hot water on a daily basis for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and countless other uses. When the water heater is non-functional, it’s understandable to want to fix it - it’s hard to skip the hot morning shower. But, water heaters can be dangerous, and they can cause damage to the home that far surpasses the unpleasantries of a cold shower.
A water heater on the fritz can be caused by a mineral build-up, faulty wiring, or even problems with the gas flow. A water heater should be serviced every 5-10 years, and if you see leaks, hear strange noises, or it’s simply not working properly - call a professional. If you tinker with hot water heater you could inadvertently flood your home and hurt yourself.
There are few sights a homeowner would rather see less than raw sewage overflowing into their backyard (or their basement). Issues with sewage lines connected to local municipal sewer systems are tricky business, and shouldn’t ever be serviced by anyone but a plumbing professional. It’s hard to imagine that a homeowner would WANT to deal with the mess from a broken sewer line, but it’s even more unlikely that they have the equipment or knowledge to attempt it.
This is also true for self-contained septic systems and cesspools installed on residential properties. There have been tragic accidents involving children falling and drowning in the reservoirs when the lids are accidentally left off during servicing. Professionals are trained to not leave any people vulnerable to injury while servicing sewer systems.
Your roof protects your home is the first and last line of defense against the outdoor elements. Roofs take lots of punishment over the years. They are susceptible to rot, leaks, mold, and holes. Whether a roof is metal, asphalt shingled, or slate shingled, it will require servicing and eventually need to be replaced.
Hiring a professional roofing contractor for routine maintenance/inspections will help you avoid any unforeseen issues that require immediate attention - like large holes and leaks. It’s never wise to try and repair a hole on your roof.
Your HVAC condenser unit should never be tinkered with by non-professionals. Sure, it’s frustrating to suffer in 100-degree heat if the unit breaks down just when you need it most. But, it’s worth waiting for the HVAC technician to come and fix the system correctly, and not risk damaging the equipment or suffering from electrical injury.
HVAC units are connected to high-voltage electrical circuits that can cause serious injury. Also, you can inadvertently damage or “fry” the circuitry, not only affecting your AC but potentially damaging electrical running throughout your whole home.
Mold may seem just unsightly and gross to some homeowners (or tenants), but it also can be extremely harmful and dangerous. It’s a bad situation if mold has spread in your home and penetrated deep into your walls or damp areas. It’s not dangerous to treat surface mold you may encounter in the bathroom with over-the-counter cleaning solutions. But, harmful mold such as Stachybotrys chartarum, aka black mold, has toxic properties and must be identified and removed by professionals with protective hazmat suits.
If you're looking to sell your home, get a professional in first to identify what's wrong. A pre-listing inspection will lay out for you everything that needs to be fixed and what should be done by professionals.
With decades of experience in Massachusetts, we know exactly what your home is vulnerable to inspection. And, we take great responsibility and pride in advising homeowners on what’s best and safest for their homes and families.
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Contact MKC Associates to schedule your home reinspection and keep the purchase process moving quickly!
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