Assurance Inspection Services, Inc.

5906 Charles Schreiner Trail
Austin, Texas 78749
Phone: (512) 751-0389
Fax: (512) 301-9624
E-mail: assurinsp@aol.com

"A positive, solution-oriented approach to Home and Termite Inspections"

National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Texas Real Estate Commission Seal
Professional Inspector
TREC Lic# 5486
Termite Inspection
SPCB Lic# 12377

Articles

How Long Things Last

Know When You Need to Replace It

AOL real estate

Want to know when your old furnace or washing machine is going to give out? Or when those old cabinets just can't be saved? The National Association of Home Builders' "Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components" gives a decent guesttimate by compiling life-cycle data from scores of product manufacturers and testing labs. Following is a summary to guide you in planning your next big home improvement.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems require proper and regular maintenance in order to work efficiently, but even in the best case scenarios most components of such systems only last 15 to 25 years. Furnaces on average last 15-20 years, heat pumps 16 years, and air conditioning units 10-15 years. Tankless water heaters last more than 20 years, while an electric or gas water heater has a life expectancy of about 10 years. Thermostats usually are replaced before the end of their 35-year lifespan due to technological improvements.

Cabinetry and Storage

Kitchen cabinets are expected to last up to 50 years, medicine cabinets for 20+ years, and garage/laundry cabinets for 100+ years. Closet shelves are expected to last for a lifetime.

Concrete and Masonry

Masonry is one of the most durable components of a home. Chimneys, fireplaces, and brick veneers can last a lifetime, and brick walls have an average life expectancy of more than 100 years.
 

Countertops

Natural stone countertops, which are less expensive than a few years ago, are gaining in popularity and are expected to last a lifetime. Cultured marble countertops have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

Decks

Because they are subject to a wide range of conditions in different climates, the life expectancy of wooden decks can vary significantly. Under ideal conditions, they have a life expectancy of about 20 years.
 

Doors

Exterior fiberglass, steel and wood doors will last as long as the house exists, while vinyl and screen doors have a life expectancy of 20 and 40 years, respectively. Closet doors are expected to last a lifetime, and French doors have an average life of 30 to 50 years.

Electrical and Lighting

Copper plated wiring, copper clad aluminum, and bare copper wiring are expected to last a lifetime, whereas electrical accessories and lighting controls are expected to last 10+ years.
 

Faucets and Fixtures

Kitchen sinks made of modified acrylic will last 50 years, while kitchen faucets will work properly for about 15 years. The average life of bathroom shower enclosures is 50 years. Showerheads last a lifetime, while shower doors will last about 20 years. Bath cabinets and toilets have an unlimited lifespan, but the components inside the toilet tank do require some maintenance. Whirlpool tubs will function properly for 20-50 years, depending on use.
 
 
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