In a perfect world, everything in your home would last the lifetime of your home. You’d never have to worry about costly repairs or replacements. Unfortunately, life isn’t perfect. Even new appliances and common household components break from time to time, and everything has a shelf life.

 

The more you understand the life expectancy of common household components, the better you can prepare. For example, if you know you’ll need to replace your washing machine every 10 years, you can prepare to save that money. The average American spends over $4,900 a year on home repairs and appliances, so the more you can budget, the better.

 

life expectancy of common household components washer

 

Exterior Home Components

First, let’s look at the life expectancy for the exterior components of your home. These are the things that take the biggest beating. They’re constantly exposed to the elements, and they need a lot of maintenance to stay in top shape.

 

  • Window A/C Unit (10 Years) – If you have a window air conditioner, it can last up to a decade if it’s well maintained. Always clean the filter to keep it lasting longer.
  • Roofing (25 Years) – It’s good to know your roof can last a while! Always repair your roof if you find even small problems to prevent them from becoming more damaging.
  • Garage Door (12 Years) – Garage doors get a lot of use and need a lubricant spray to keep the springs active and functional.
  • Home Siding (30 Years) – If you regularly clean your siding and repair problems, you can expect it to last up to 30 years.
  • Wooden Deck (30 Years) – Similarly, if you have a deck, it’s likely built to last. If you keep up with repairs, it’ll live a long life.

 

As you can see, a lot of maintenance goes a long way. If you’re proactive about repairing things quickly and making updates when needed, you can get a lot of use out of the interior components of your home.

 

 

Interior Home Components

It takes a lot of work to maintain the interior of your home, especially when it comes to making sure your home looks modern and on-trend. You might find yourself replacing things before they’ve lived their life just because they’re no longer in style. Similarly, the more you take care of these things with proper cleanings and maintenance, the longer they’ll last you.

 

  • Carpet (1o Years) – While it might seem like your carpet is impossible to clean, proper steaming before it becomes visibly dirty will go a long way.
  • HVAC System (20 Years) – This can be one the most costly repairs or replacements, so always get your system serviced on a yearly basis to keep up with problems. In addition, change your filters every month to keep the system from overworking.
  • Faucets and Water Fixtures (12 Years) – Your faucets and water fixtures work hard, and you should too. Always clean out hard water residue and remove any clogs.
  • Countertops (50 Years) – Did you know your counters might be the longest-lasting thing in your home? If you reseal them every few years, they can last half a century or more.
  • Windows (30 Years) – Unless you live in an area prone to extreme weather, windows should last you several decades.
  • Washing Machine (12 Years) – If you’re using your washer properly and checking for signs of wear, it can last you over 10 years.
  • Dryer (12 Years) – Similar to your washer, your clothes dryer can also last over a decade as long as you clean your lint trap before every use.
  • Oven (15 Years) – Finally, your oven can last a long while if you’re proactive about inspecting the coil burners and replacing them when needed.

 

As you can see, just like with the exterior of your home, the interior needs a lot of ongoing care. To learn more about the life expectancy of your home’s components, check out the ATD inspection guide.

 

 

Conclusion

Taking care of your home can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you know your home’s problem areas and stay on top of them, you’re gearing up for a long life with the components you use the most.

 

Don’t underestimate the power of repairs and maintenance. A bit of care here and there will make a huge difference. Now that you know the life expectancy of these common household components, where does your home stack up?