Interesting To Note As A Homeowner
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Life Expectancies Of Some Of
Our Household Components
As homeowners, it important to know as much about every aspect of our home, from the structural components, the life expectancies of our appliances, to the routine sounds we hear around our house. Whether you live in an old house or a new one, it is helpful to understand fair or standard expectations towards how long certain appliances or components should last and when to start looking for replacements. On the other side of the coin, it is helpful to know if something has given way too early, so that you can hold the right party accountable. Below, you will find a cross-section of appliances and various household components and their respective “accepted” standards for their length of service lives. Consider yourself ahead of the game if you possess anything that has outlived its expected lifespan, and keep a careful watch over those that may be close. As you look through the list, keep in mind the fact that smart homeowners take great care of their homes and what’s in and around them. This includes oiling up fine tuned machines, which means making sure that we maintain everything in our homes so they maintain their values for us.
Bear in mind that many of the components in our home require some sort of care and maintenance during their stint with us. For example, once you have had a beautiful new hardwood floor put in, you will have to nurture and care for it over time, as it cannot do it for itself. Another example is that your appliances have working parts that do break. If you are capable of fixing these yourself, great. If not, it is a good idea to have them serviced, checked, and maintained on some sort of regular schedule. Being dedicated to maintaining your home and your belongings will ultimately expand their lifespans and their values to their fullest extents, and sometimes beyond. The efforts are well worth it.
Dishwasher 10
Disposals 10
Washer, Automatic 13
Dryers 14
Freezers, Standard 16
Microwave Ovens 11
Electric Range 17
Gas Range 14
Refrigerator, Standard 17
Exhaust Fans 20
Household
Laminate Countertops 10-15
Ceramic Tile Lifetime
Butcher Block 20+
Granite 20+
Fiberglass Bathtubs and Showers 10-15
Cast Iron Bathtubs 50
Shower Doors 25
Toilet 50
Vanities and Medicine Cabinets 20
Screen Doors 25-50
Interior, Hollow Core Less than 30
Interior, Sold Core 30 – Lifetime
Exterior, Protected Overhang 80-100
Exterior, Unprotected Exposed 25-30
Window Glazing 20
Wood Casement 20-50
Screen 25-50
Garage Door 20-50
Garage Door Opener 10
Oak or Pine Floors Lifetime
Slate Flagstone Lifetime
Vinyl Sheet or Tile 20-30
Carpeting (Depends on install, quality, traffic) 11
Asphalt Roofing 15-30
Wood Shingles and Shakes 15-30
Enamel Steel Sink 5-10
Enamel Cast Iron Sink 25-30
Faucet, Low Quality 13-15
Faucet, High Quality 15-20
Copper Wiring 100+
Copper Clad Aluminum and Bare Copper 100+
Conduit Lifetime
Exterior Paint or Wood, Brick, Aluminum 7-10
Interior Wall Paint 5-10
Wallpaper 7
Central Air Conditioning Units 15
Window Air Conditioning Units 10
Air Conditioner Compressors 15
Humidifiers 8
Electric Water Heaters 14
Gas Water Heaters 11-13
Boilers, Hot Water or Steam 30
Furnaces, Gas or Oil 18
Unit Heaters, Gas or Electric 13
Radiant Heaters, Electric 10
Radiant Heaters, Hot Water or Steam 25
Baseboard Systems 20
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s published Residential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide, 2000, Appendix C – Life Expectancy of Housing Components.
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