How Long Will These Parts of Your House Last?
How Long Will These Parts of Your House Last?
Whether you own a house or are planning to buy one, it is useful to know how long the parts of your house will last. The first things to consider that impact the lifespan of a house are the material and installation quality of each component. In addition, maintenance, the type of use, and weather conditions in your area will also affect its life expectancy.
It is important to check for signs of degradation on all components inside your house regularly. This will ensure that your home is always in good condition so that you can avoid untimely disasters and save on unnecessary expenses. The first sign that one of your fixtures has to be replaced soon is when it’s nearing the end of its expected lifespan.
Home exterior
Home exterior
A roof made of asphalt shingles would last you 20 years, sometimes more. Some signs that your roof is deteriorating is a spot on your ceiling or a curled roof shingle. If you notice any of these, it is necessary to have it fixed or replaced as soon as you can. Otherwise, you could suffer from a leak. Leaks can cause mold or further damage to your home in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, hail, and snow storms. Schedule annual roof inspections to help avoid costly repairs.
Doors typically last 20 years to a lifetime, while windows will serve you for about 15 to 30 years. Properly insulated doors and windows are the major causes of house heat loss during the heating season. If one of your windows or doors is inefficient or provides poor insulation, you have to update it to keep your heating bills from skyrocketing. You must have your doors inspected every 6 months and your windows once every year.
Mechanicals
Mechanicals
The life expectancy of a furnace is around 15 to 18 years. Possible telltale signs that your furnace needs to be replaced or repaired are unusual noise, higher heating bills, different temperatures between rooms, and old age. We recommend that you repair or update your furnace once you see any of these signs. This will ensure that you are not stuck in the cold during winter. Schedule a service maintenance of your furnace every year.
The expected lifespan of an air conditioner is between 10 and 15 years. Home security systems and smoke detectors will last on average 5 to 10 years. The lifespan of a heat pump is around 16 years. A heat pump that needs to be replaced will show signs of aging such as less heat production which lead to higher heating bills. Electric switches and sockets last 10 or more years. An aging and malfunctioning electric switch or socket can cause an electrical fire which poses a major safety risk to you and your home.
Plumbing
Plumbing
Faucets typically last 10 to 20 years, toilets could last a lifetime if used properly, sinks 5 to 100 years, showerheads 100 years, PVC pipes 25 years, and copper gutters and downspouts 50 years or so. Set regular inspections by a professional plumber every two years. You can also check your plumbing system yourself in between inspections to identify possible issues before they become catastrophes. Left unchecked, small leaks could cause you to suffer increased hydro bills and even costly disasters. Make sure not to skip regular professional inspection because some leaks are not easily noticeable and large tree roots can damage your pipes.
Appliances
Appliances
A dishwasher tends to last around 9 years. To prevent your dishwasher from aging too fast, regularly clean your dishwasher and its filter and avoid overloading. If you start seeing rust, the dishes are not hot after a wash, or if water starts leaking, this means that your dishwasher needs to be replaced.
You can expect a washing machine to last around 10 years. If you want to properly maintain your washer, avoid overloading it, check your pockets, use quality detergent, and wash full loads. Signs that your washer needs to be replaced are water leaks, excessive noise, and increased hydro bills.
The average lifespan of a dryer is 13 years. Your dryer needs to be replaced when it starts making unusual noises, the drum won’t turn, or heating is ineffective. Empty out the lint in your dryer after each use. Dryer lint is a fire hazard.
Since most items in your home are fleeting, the key to making sure that all fixtures are up to date and working effectively are regular inspections. We mentioned previously that the right time to replace or update a fixture is when it is nearing the end of its lifespan. However, you may also consider upgrading when a newer model is released as they are typically more energy efficient. This will lower your heating, electric, and hydro bills.
You may contact one of our licensed PrimeService brokers at 905-886-7277. We will make sure to update you on all the discounts you are eligible for.
By Katia Barretto
