Chimneys, fireplaces, and brick veneers can last a lifetime, and brick walls have an average life expectancy of more than years. 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. 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. All natural wood floorings have a life expectancy of years or more. Marble, slate, and granite are also expected to last for about years, but can last less due to a lack of maintenance. Vinyl floors last up to 50 years, linoleum about 25 years, and carpet between 8 and 10 years with appropriate maintenance and normal traffic.
Poured as well as concrete block footings and foundations last a lifetime, assuming they were properly built. Termite proofing of foundations will last about 12 years if the chemical barriers put in place during construction are left intact. Waterproofing with bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks it is immediately damaged. Concrete or cast iron waste pipes are expected to last years or more. Framing and structural systems have extended longevities: poured-concrete systems, timber frame houses and structural insulated panels will all last a lifetime.
Wall panels and roof and floor trusses will similarly last a lifetime. Softwood, hardboard, and plywood last an average of 30 years, while OSB and particleboard are expected to function properly for 60 years. Wireless home networks and home automation systems are expected to work properly for more than 50 years.
As long as they are not punctured, cut, or burned and are kept dry and away from UV rays, the cellulose, fiberglass, and foam used in insulation materials will last a lifetime. Ladders are expected to last a lifetime, and life expectancy of lifts is about 8 to 10 years. Custom millwork will last a lifetime, and all stairs—circular and spiral stairs, prebuilt stairs and attic stairs—are expected to last a lifetime.
Both interior and exterior points can last for 15 years or longer, however home owners often paint more frequently. Hardboard panels and softwood panels are expected to last 30 years, while oriented strand board and particleboard have a life expectancy of years. Wall panels are expected to last a lifetime. A large family that cooks at home will need to replace the garbage disposal sooner than a bachelor who eats out. Small efforts, like using a strainer and always running water when operating the disposal, will pay off with a long life.
Gas stoves last longer than their electric counterparts by years, on average. Good everyday care will help extend the useful life, such as cleaning the stove after every use and regularly checking the burners.
The top end of this life expectancy range belongs exclusively to increasingly rare single-door refrigerator units. More common freezer-top and side-by-side models can last 17 and 14 years, respectively. Small repairs to things like failed door gaskets or malfunctioning ice makers are expected, but a broken compressor usually signals the end for a fridge. A washing machine will typically last 10 to 14 years, while a dryer will last 10 to 13 years.
Those heating components tend to be a bit more fragile. Two things matter when it comes to your cleaning appliances. The other important factor is, surprisingly, front loaders versus top loaders. While there is some disagreement about this , top-loading washers appear to last longer than front loaders.
The key question here is: What kind do you have? A tankless water heater designed to heat water only as it is needed can easily last over two decades. An electric gas heater will typically last around 10 years. A better way to expand the life of your heater is to go tankless altogether. Bob Vila reports that most tankless water heaters will run for around 20 years.
The type of water you have in your area is also important. Hard water has lots of minerals that can precipitate out in the heat and cause problems with scale clogs and buildup that may slowly ruin water heaters over time.
Bowls and mixing paddles can be easily replaced, but get a quote and think carefully before repairing anything else. Tip: Clean the pan as soon as possible after baking and pay extra attention to the paddle and driveshaft. It's unlikely you'll be repairing small appliances such as these — they're just not worth the trouble — but you should be able to get a faulty one replaced for up to a couple of years after purchase, either under warranty or through your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Tip: Energy consumption is pretty much identical for all kettles, but you can save on your electricity bill by only boiling what you need instead of a full kettle. There's huge variation in food processor price and quality, so whether you should repair or replace yours depends on its value. It's usually worth replacing broken bowls, blades and accessories, but unless you've got a really expensive mixer, major failures like motors generally mean replacement.
Tip: Food processor blades can be incredibly sharp, so keep them in their accessory case if supplied when not in use. This reduces the risk of cutting yourself, and protects the blades from damage, extending their life. Many problems are caused by a dirty laser pick-up, but cleaning them is a second job with a cotton bud and some methylated spirits.
Consider repairing motorised loading and drive mechanisms on more expensive players. Repairing cheap or old players won't be cost effective. Tip: If opting for a replacement, consider a media player instead — these do away with the bulk of physical media and stream digital content from a hard drive or a networked server.
Most problems with expensive high-end components should be fixed, but make sure you get quotes first. For cheaper systems and soundbars you're probably looking at a replacement for all but the most minor issues, and even if the fault's covered under warranty it's unlikely manufacturers will maintain an inventory of spare parts.
Tip: While most TVs and soundbars are universally compatible, for optimum usability you should try to get the same brand for both. Only newer, high-value cameras are worth repairing. Replaceable lenses for a DSLR can often be replaced for less than the cost of repairs — particularly the lower-end 'kit' lenses supplied with the camera body — if it's not covered by warranty then view it as an opportunity to get a better one.
While you might opt to repair a five-year-old DSLR camera body, a failed five-year-old compact should be treated as an excuse to upgrade because new models will offer better technology and take better photos. Tip: If you've made a significant investment in lenses for your DLSR then an adapter ring means you can still use them if you switch to a camera body with a different mounting system. Only get your printer repaired if it was expensive. Printer manufacturers make their profit from the ink, so a new printer can be had for pocket change, and it will probably give you better features than your old one.
Tip: A more expensive printer will give you better print quality, but may also mean ink refills are more affordable. Weigh up the purchase price vs ongoing running costs when deciding what to buy. Think about:. Service calls for major appliances can be expensive, even before any repairs are carried out, so it's worth seeing if there's a simple solution before calling in the cavalry:. Skip to content Skip to footer navigation.
Top of the content. How long should your household appliances last? We look at the lifespan of washers, fridges, TVs, phones and more, and when you should repair vs replace.
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