Home Inspection Services :: Life Expectancies

COMMON DEFECTS

Every home has disposable items the life expectancies depend on how they last under normal operating and weather conditions. Extreme use and adverse weather conditions will reduce the life expectancies considerably. A well built home can last for hundreds of years, but many of its parts must be replaced or removed regularly.

The table below is an approximate example of life expectancies for different products and materials used in the home, as listed in a report titled "1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends" published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) based in Washington, D.C.

Detailed life expectancies should be obtained from the original manufactures data.

For more information on building trends, visit the NAHB website at http://www.nahb.com.

ROOFING	YEARS
Asphalt and Wood Shingles and Shakes	15 - 30
Tile	50
Slate	50 - 100
Sheet metal	20 - 50+
Built-up Roofing (Asphalt)	12 - 25
Built-up Roofing (Coat and Tar)	12 - 30
Asphalt Composition Shingle	15 - 30
Asphalt Overlap	25 - 35

SIDING	YEARS
Gutters and Downspouts	30
Siding (wood)	10 - 100
Siding (steel)	50 - Life
Siding (aluminium)	20 - 50
Siding (vinyl)	50

WINDOWS	YEARS
Window Glazing	20
Wood Casement	20 - 50
Aluminium Casement	10 - 20
Screen	25 - 50
Aluminum Casement	10 - 20
Screen	25 - 50

DOORS	YEARS
Screen	25 - 50
Interior (Hollow Core)	25 - 30
Interior (Solid Core Wood)	30 - Life
Exterior (Unprotected Exposed)	25 - 30
Folding	30 - Life
Garage Door	20 - 50
Garage Door Opener	10

FOOTINGS & FOUNDATIONS	YEARS
Poured Footing and Foundation	200
Concrete Block	100
Cement	50
Waterproofing (bituminous coating) (cracking results in immediate damage)	10
Termite Proofing may have shorter life in damp climates)	5
Baseboard System	20

LANDSCAPING	YEARS
Wooden Deck	15
Brick and Concrete Patio	24
Concrete Walk	24
Gravel Walk	4
Asphalt Driveway	10
Swimming Pool	18
Sprinkler System, Fence	12

PLUMBING	YEARS
Waste Pipe (Concrete)	50 - 100
Waste Pipe (Cast Iron)	75 - 100
Sink (Enamel, Steel)	5 - 10
Sink (Enamel Cast Iron, Porcelain)	25 - 30
Faucets (Low Quality)	13 - 15
High Quality Faucets	15 -20

HEATING / VENTILATION + A/C UNITS	YEARS
A/C Unit (Central)	15
A/C Unit (Window Unit)	10
Humidifier	8
Water Heater (Electric)	14
Water Heater (Gas)	11 - 13
Forced Air Furnace, Heat Pump	15
Furnace, Gas or Oil Fired	18

FINISHES	YEARS
Exterior Paint	7 - 10
Interior Wall, Trim, Door Paint	5 - 10
Interior Wallpaper	7
Paint, Plaster, Stucco	3 - 5
Sealer, Silicone, and Waxes	1 - 5

FLOORS	YEARS
Oak, Pine, or Slate Flagstone	Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or Tile	20 - 30
Terrazzo	Lifetime
Carpeting	11
Marble	Lifetime

BATHROOMS	YEARS
Cast Iron Bathtub	50
Fibreglass Tub and shower	10 - 15
Shower Door (average quality)	25
Toilet	50

CABINETRY	YEARS
Kitchen Cabinets	15 - 20
Medicine Cabinets/Bath Vanity	20

COUNTERTOPS	YEARS
Laminate	10 - 15
Ceramic Tile (high grade)	Lifetime
Wood/Butcher Block or Granite	20+

APPLIANCES	YEARS
Compactor, disposal	10
Dishwasher	10
Dryer	10
Freezer (compact)	12
Freezer (standard)	16
Microwave Oven	11
Range (electric)	17
Range (gas)	19
Range (High Oven, gas)	14
Refrigerator (Compact)	14
Refrigerator (Standard)	17
Washer (Auto and Compact)	13
Exhaust fan	20

HOME | CONTACT | CONSUMER LINKS | SITE MAP

Site Map

ABE ASHI ASHI Standards BACC Buy Report Caveat Emptor CIOB Concrete Floor cracking Contact Consumer Links Common Defects Costs & Payments Currency Exchange advise Currency Exchange Foreclosure Inspections Home Home Inspections Home Inspection Areas Home Inspection Schedule Home Watch Inspection Schedule Insurance Inspections Life Expectancies Mold Inspection Mold Inspection Schedule New Construction Inspection Schedule ORRA Pool Inspection Pre Inspection Pre Inspection Schedule Qualifications Roof Inspection Schedule Services Service Agreement Settlement Cracks Schedule Inspection Termites Terms The Inspection WDO Inspections Wood Rot Why use my services 4 Point Inspections 4 Point Inspection Schedule