Household Component Life Spans
Houses are built to last a lifetime, but certain components wear out periodically and will need to be replaced on a fairly regular time cycle.
The following life cycles are not personal opinions, but are based upon the individual manufacturers suggested service-life of these components. The life-expectancy of some components may vary with the severity of the local weather, the design, the type and quality of the original components, the quality of the installation, and the level of maintenance that the component has received.
Also, please remember that these components and systems are like people: some fail early in life and some last much longer than we ever thought possible.
| Air Conditioning |
Years |
|
| 1. | Compressors | 6-12 |
| 2. | Blowers / Fans |
10-15 |
| 3. | Heat Pump / Condenser (the outside unit) |
8-15 |
Heating |
Years |
|
| 4. | Forced-Air, Gas Furnace |
15-20 |
| 5. | Electric Furnaces
(Heating Elements may need periodic |
20-25 |
| 6. | Electric Baseboard Heaters |
10-15 |
| 7. | Gas Boilers (Cast Iron) |
30-60 |
| 8. | Gas Boilers (Steel) |
20-35 |
| 9. | Radiators / Expansion Tanks |
30-45 |
Plumbing Systems |
Years |
|
| 10. | Hot Water Heaters |
10-15 |
| 11. | Galvanized Water Supply Lines (With spot replacement of some sections) |
35-65 |
| 12. | Copper Water Supply Lines |
60-100 |
| 13. | Plastic Supply Lines (PVC, CPVC, ABS, PEX) |
? |
| 14. | Cast Iron Drain Lines |
45-90 |
| 15. | Copper Drain Lines |
50-100 |
| 16. | Plastic Drain Lines (PVC, ABS) |
? |
| 17. | Builders Grade Faucets, etc. |
20-30 |
| 18. | Builders Grade Tubs, Toilets, Sinks, etc. |
35-50 |
Appliances |
Years |
|
| 19. | Garbage Disposal |
5-10 |
| 20. | Dishwasher |
10-15 |
| 21. | Gas Ranges, Ovens & Cook-Tops |
20-35 |
| 22. | Electric Ranges, Ovens & Cook-Tops |
15-25 |
| 23. | Built-In Microwave |
5-10 |
| 24. | Trash Compactor |
6-12 |
| 25. | Refrigerator |
10-20 |
| 26. | Humidifiers (with regular maintenance) |
5-10 |
| 27. | Laundry Equipment (Washers/Dryers) |
10-20 |
Roofing / Guttering |
Years |
|
| 28. | Aluminum / Galvanized Gutters (if well maintained) |
15-25 |
| 29. | Composition Shingle Roof (1st layer of roofing) |
16-20 |
| 30. | Composition Shingle Roof (2nd roof on top of existing shingles) |
12-16 |
| 31. | Roll Roofing (composition) |
6-10 |
| 32. | Wood Shake Roofing |
15-20 |
| 33. | Wood Shingle Roofing |
14-18 |
| 34. | Slate Roofing
(depends on type of slate and quarry |
45-150 |
| 35. | Clay/Tile/Concrete Roofing |
30-50 |
| 36. | Metal Roofing
(as long as kept from rusting) |
35-70 |
Interior |
Years |
|
| 37. | Paint (Wall, Ceiling, Trim) |
5-10 |
| 38. | Drywall (Walls & Ceilings) |
50-? |
| 39. | Plaster (Walls & Ceilings) |
60-90 |
| 40. | Ceramic Tile:
Wet Bead Mastic Bead |
–
45-80 15-20 |
| 41. | Carpeting | 10-12 |
Exterior |
Years |
|
| 42. | Exterior Paint |
5-10 |
| 43. | Wood Decks | 12-16 |
| 44. | Aluminum Siding |
25-40 |
| 45. | Vinyl Siding |
30-45 |
| 46. | Hardboard / Composition Siding
(depends on moisture entry) |
15-40 |
| 47. | T-111, Wood or Plywood |
20-40 |
| 48. | Stucco (Hardcoat Conventional) |
60+ |
| Wells & Septic Systems |
Years |
|
| 49. | Well Pumps, Tanks, Sumps |
15-25 |
| 50. | Septic Leaching Fields
(depends on factors such as regular |
10-50 |
| 51. | Concrete Septic Tank |
20-40 |
| 52. | Steel Septic Tank |
15-30 |