Purchasing a detached home can be overwhelming with all the upkeep of the house. Here are a few tips and tricks on maintenance that you might want to concider looking into at your home.
Roof
The life expectancy of your roof really depends on where you live, along with building design, materials and how much work you put into maintaining it.According to the National Association of Home Builders, a tile, copper or slate roof can last more than 50 years. Wood shake roofs should last about 30 years, while you’ll get about 25 years out of fiber cement. Asphalt shingles will give you about 20 years of reliable service.
Refrigerator
You’ll get about six to 15 years out of your refrigerator, according to Angie’s List. The most common refrigerator repairs include ice maker failure, main control board failure and a clogged drain.
Dishwasher
Consumer Reports asked manufacturers of 13 dishwasher brands to weigh in on the lifespan of the appliance, and 10 years is about the norm. All manufactures noted it’s important to follow the owner’s manual and regularly clean out your dishwasher to keep it running properly.
Washing Machine
Angie’s List reports the average life of a washing machine is 8 to 12 years. If the repair exceeds $500, it may be worth considering a new machine. The most common repairs include gasket replacement, a switch failure and valve issues.
Clothes Dryer
Ten years is the average life expectancy of a clothes dryer, according to Consumer Reports. To help increase your dryer’s life, keep the dryer vent clean and consider air drying when possible.
Cooktop and Oven
When it comes to your kitchen cooktop and oven, how long it lasts depends on the type and how often you use it. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, you can expect to get 10 to 18 years out of your gas oven and 15 to 17 years out of your gas range. An electric range will last 13 to 15 years.
HVAC System
Your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems should last you 15 to 25 years with proper upkeep, with furnaces averaging about 15 to 20 years. However, according to Comfort Pro, Inc., an HVAC company, many homeowners choose to update their furnace after 10 to 15 years for a more efficient model. Make sure you are having the HVAC system serviced once a year.
Gas Fire Place
Although these don’t necessarily need to be replaced. They do require maintenance every year. Your fire place can gather dust and debris throughout the year then when you turn it in the colder months it will just push that dust and debris into the air you breathe. Not only that but when getting it maintenanced they will make sure there are no gas leaks in your home. Maintaining your fire place can be very cheap to do and very important.
Deck
Like your roof, your deck’s life expectancy depends greatly on climate and maintenance. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors estimates decks made from wood planks will last about 15 years, while structural wood will give you 10 to 30 years. Composite decking will last anywhere from eight to 25 years.
Toilet
When it comes to your home’s toilet, it can be hard to say how long it will last. However, there are some things that can tell you when it needs to be replaced. If you’re rebuilding the toilet guts regularly, it has recurring clogs or a crack in the porcelain, it may be time for a new toilet.
Water Heater
A rule of thumb for water heaters—according to Angie’s List— is that those older than 10 years should be considered for a replacement. Some signs that your water heater is about to die include rusty water, rumbling noises and leaks.
Outside Materials
Many homeowners will never have to replace their home’s exterior materials such as brick, stone, vinyl and fiber cement—all should outlast you. HomeAdvisor notes you should expect to replace both your aluminum gutters and your wood shutters after about 20 years.
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All of these items vary per household and condition. If you are curious as to what the upcoming maintenance in your home will be give us a call, text, or email we’d be happy to put you in touch with one of our expert inspectors to help keep you on top of all your maintenance or answer any questions you may have . The last thing we want is anything in your home to surprise you and need maintenance. Some repairs can be costly and its best to know in advance so you have time to save up!