Taking Stock in Your Household Components
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Life Expectancies Of Some Of
Our Appliances and 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.
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Appliance / Household Component
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Lifespan Expectancy in Years
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Appliances
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Dishwasher
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10
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Garbage Disposal
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10
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Washing Machine
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13
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Clothes Dryer
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14
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Freezer
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16
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Microwave Oven
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11
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Electric Range
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17
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Gas Range
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14
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Refrigerator
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17
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Exhaust Fan
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20
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Household
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Cabinetry
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15-20
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Laminate Countertops
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10-15
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Ceramic Tile
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Lifetime
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Butcher Block
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20+
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Granite
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20+
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Fiberglass Bathtubs and Showers
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10-15
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Cast Iron Bathtubs
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50
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Shower Doors
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25
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Toilet
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Up to 50
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Vanities and Medicine Cabinets
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20
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Flooring
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|
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Oak or Pine Floors
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Lifetime
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Slate Flagstone
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Lifetime
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Vinyl Sheet or Tile
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20-30
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Carpeting (Depends on install, quality, traffic)
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11
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Windows and Doors
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Screen Doors
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25-50
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Interior - Hollow Core
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<30
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Interior - Solid Core
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30 - Lifetime
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Exterior - Protected Overhang
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80-100
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Exterior - Unprotected, Exposed
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25-30
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Window Glazing
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20
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Wood Casement
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20-50
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Screen
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25-50
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Garage Door
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20-50
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Garage Door Opener
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10
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Plumbing
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|
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Stainless Steel Sink
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5-10
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Enamel Cast Iron Sink
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25-30
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Faucet - Lower Quality
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13-15
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Faucet - Higher Quality
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15-20
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Electrical
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|
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Copper Wiring
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100+
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Copper Clad Aluminum & Bare Copper
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100+
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Conduit
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Lifetime
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Paints and Stains
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Exterior Paint or Wood, Brick, Aluminum
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7-10
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Interior Wall Paint
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5-10
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Wallpaper
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7
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Heating and Cooling
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Central Air Conditioning Units
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15
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Window Air Conditioning Unites
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10
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Air Conditioner Compressors
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15
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Humidifiers
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8
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Electric Water Heater
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14
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Gas Water Heater
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11-13
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Boilers, Hot Water or Steam
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30
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Furnaces, Gas or Oil
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18
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Unit Heaters, Gas or Electric
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13
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Radiant Heaters, Electric
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10
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Radiant Heaters, Hot Water or Steam
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25
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Baseboard Heaters
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20
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Roofing
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|
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Asphalt Roofing
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15-30
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Wood Shingles and Shakes
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15-30
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Metal Roof Materials
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50+
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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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