The Importance of Yearly Maintenance Checks and Pulling Permits in Summit County

Living—and working—in Summit County comes with its own unique challenges, especially when it comes to HVAC and plumbing systems. With high elevation, extreme weather, and a community largely made up of second homeowners, it’s more important than ever to ensure systems are maintained properly and installed to code.

A Unique Mountain Environment

Summit County isn’t your typical place. Our elevation changes how systems operate. Standard heating and plumbing installations that work at sea level often won’t perform reliably—or safely—up here. Installing and maintaining HVAC systems in the mountains requires specific parts and specialized knowledge. Without those, even a brand-new system can underperform, fail early, or worse—create a hazardous situation.

The Impact of Quick Fixes and Turnover

In this high-cost, high-demand market, many properties have seen numerous owners, renters, contractors, and handymen over the years. The result? A patchwork of quick fixes, outdated components, and poorly documented work.

With such a high turnover in both properties and service providers, consistency is rare. We often come across heating and plumbing systems that have been “touched” by too many hands without a clear maintenance history or proper installation practices. This leads to breakdowns that are both costly and avoidable.

Why Yearly Maintenance Checks Matter

Regular, professional maintenance is the best way to protect your investment—especially for second homeowners who may not be around to notice early warning signs of failure. Yearly maintenance checks help:

• Extend the life of your HVAC and plumbing systems

• Identify potential issues before they become emergencies

• Ensure efficiency, which saves on energy costs

• Maintain indoor air quality and comfort

• Give you peace of mind—whether you're home or away

Our team knows what to look for, especially in systems operating at high altitude. A simple annual visit can prevent mid-winter breakdowns and expensive repairs.

Permits: Your First Line of Defense

One of the most overlooked steps in the installation or major modification of heating and plumbing systems is pulling a permit. In Summit County, pulling a permit is not just a legal requirement—it’s also your best protection as a homeowner.

A permit ensures that:

• The work is inspected: A third-party inspection confirms the installation meets current code and safety standards.

• The contractor is accountable: Only licensed professionals can pull permits, so it's a good way to filter out unqualified or unlicensed installers.

• Your system is safe and reliable: Proper installation drastically reduces the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, water damage, and early system failure.

Skipping the permit process might seem like a way to save time or money, but it often ends up costing homeowners much more in the long run—especially if something fails and it’s discovered that the work wasn’t permitted or up to code.

In Conclusion

Owning a home in the mountains is a dream for many—but it comes with responsibilities. Whether you live here full-time or just visit for ski season, investing in yearly maintenance checks and ensuring permits are pulled for any new installations is the best way to keep your home comfortable, safe, and efficient.

If you're unsure about the last time your systems were serviced or whether work was done to code, we’re here to help. At Mountain Goat Mechanical, we specialize in high-altitude HVAC and plumbing solutions. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance check or to consult about your next project.