HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
FROM ROOF TO PAINT, THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF YOUR HOME’S COMPONENTS
Just like the human body, your home is made of parts, all working in unison, many unseen and unthought-of during the course of your daily life. From the roof to the foundation, and from the front door to the back, a home consists of literally thousands of components.
Ideally, these components might all have an unlimited life expectancy. But given the realities of day-to-day use, how long can a home owner reasonably expect a home component such as a window or roof to last?
A new study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and sponsored by Bank of America Home Equity provides insight into the life expectancies of a number of products in the home. The study intentionally overlooked consumer preferences, acknowledging that if they were considered, kitchen counters would be replaced long before the end of their useful life, and rooms may be repainted only once in 50 years. Other factors that can have a significant effect on life expectancy include maintenance, proper installation, the level of use and the quality of the materials. And some components, while remaining functional, become obsolete due to changing technology or improvements.
INSULATION
According to the study, all types of insulation can be expected to last a lifetime if they are properly installed and are not
punctured, cut, burned or exposed to ultraviolet rays and are kept dry. Proper installation not only extends the lifetime of your insulation, it also ensures that it will perform properly, resulting in reduced energy use and expenses, as well as increased home comfort.
WINDOWS
Because they can be exposed to extreme weather conditions, have a much shorter life expectancy. The study, which polled experts in the various fields, found that aluminum windows can reasonably be expected to last 15 to 20 years and wooden windows can last upwards of 30 years. An important element of maintaining your windows is the window glazing – the putty that secures the glass to the sash. Over time, this glazing can crack, resulting in drafty and loose panes. Available at any hardware store, glazing can be replaced by simply chipping or scrapping off the old putty, cleaning the window thoroughly and installing new glazing with a putty knife or caulking gun. Some 
types of glazing require a coat of latex paint for weatherproofing.
ROOFS
Like windows, the life expectancy of a roof depends on local weather conditions as well as appropriate maintenance and quality of the materials. Slate, copper and clay/concrete roofs can be expected to last more than 50 years. Roofs made of asphalt shingles should last for about 20 years; fiber cement shingles should last about 25 years; and wood shakes for about 30 years. In regards to roof maintenance, it’s important to be proactive to prevent emergency and expensive repairs. Look for include damaged or loose shingles; gaps in the flashing where the roofing and siding meet vents and flues; and damaged mortar around the chimney (especially at the joints, caps and washes). If you see any signs of damage, call a professional to repair it.
PAINT
Although some avid decorators may repaint every six months, homes usually need to be painted every five to 10 years depending on the content of the paint (its glossiness), its exposure to moisture and traffic. Quality paints are expected to last upwards of 20 years. Exterior paint conditions should be regularly monitored in order to catch problems early on. Assessing paint for dirt, mold, cracking, peeling, fading and rusting—and repairing immediately, usually through simple cleaning methods such as scrubbing or power washing—can end up saving homeowners much more costly repainting jobs in the long term.
Remember, these numbers are averages, with usage, weather, maintenance and a number of other factors influencing life expectancy. Chances are, changing trends will dictate a shorter life span, as homeowners update and remodel their homes.
PREVENTATIVE HOME MAINTENANCE
Car owners understand the necessity of having their vehicle maintained so it runs properly and lasts a long time.
Like regularly changing the oil in your car, preventative maintenance to your house will help the materials used to
build it last longer and avoid extensive repair projects. And, just like properly maintaining your car is necessary for
the safety of your passengers, taking care of your house can help keep your home safe and avoid injuries to your
family and friends. The following is a check-list of preventative maintenance projects that are sometimes overlooked:
Well Water
Take a water sample to a laboratory to test for purity.
Central Air Conditioner
Clean or replace the air filter at least every two months.
Prune any shrubbery that is restricting the circulation of air.
Attic, Basement and Garage
Clean and discard paper and junk.
Remove the grates from drain pipes in basement and garage floors and in the driveway,
then scoop out muck and flush with garden hose.
Vents in Foundation, Soffits and Eaves
Make sure screens are intact to keep out squirrels and other rodents, birds and insects.
Carefully knock off wasp and bee nests from eaves.
Wood Decks
Nail any raised boards and hammer in any popped nails.
Refinish with stain or paint if raw wood is exposed.
Look for signs of decay and termites in wood near or in contact with the earth.
Sewer Lines
Inspect the grass above the sewer lines. If it is greener than adjacent grass, it may indicate a leak in the line.
Sump Pump
Test the motor and pump by filling the sump with water. If the motor doesn’t start or the pump doesn’t pump,
call a repairman.
Septic System
Have it inspected and cleaned if necessary.
Gutters and Downspouts
Scoop out leaves, seed pods and other debris.
Flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose.
Look for pools of water that reveal sags in the gutters.
Straighten bent gutter hangers.
Driveway
Patch holes and seal cracks.
Resurface if the concrete is flaking from salt or chemical ice removers.
Fences
Hammer in popped nails.
Tighten loose posts.
Paint or stain if raw wood is exposed.
Sliding Doors
Clean the tracks.
Check the locks and tighten the hardware.
Screens and Screen Doors
Inspect, repair and clean the screens and screen doors. It may be necessary to paint them before re-installing
Fireplace
Clean and empty the ash pit if the fireplace has one.
Clean chimney.
Water Heater
Drain the sediment from the bottom of the tank.
Consider having tank insulated to reduce heat loss.
Exhaust Fans
Clean the blades.
Oil the motor.
Ornamental Iron Railings
Sandpaper rusted areas and treat with rust-inhibiting paint.
Electrical Circuit
Identify the fuse or circuit breaker that controls each circuit;
make a diagram and affix it near the box.
By staying on top of your home maintenance, you can add years to your home’s parts.
You’ll also enjoy your home more and save money on energy bills and home repairs.
Home Maintenance Quiz
It is the weekend and you have a whole list of household chores to do. Oh, we know you’d rather be golfing or playing tennis
or watching TV, but keeping your home in good shape is important. Your home may be the biggest investment you will ever make.
Taking good care of it with regular maintenance is necessary to maintain its value and ensure it will provide a comfortable, safe shelter
for you and your family for a long time.
Here is a home maintenance quiz that will test your maintenance knowledge. While this quiz does not address every home maintenance
project, it does provide helpful tips and reminders for chores you may have overlooked.
How often do forced-air furnace filters need to be changed?
At least every three months during the heating season.
What part of the faucet usually needs to be replaced when you have a water leak?
The washer.
Should you run hot or cold water through your garbage disposal?
Cold.
How often should the moving parts of garage doors be oiled?
Every three months.
What tools can you use to unclog your drains?
A plunger and a plumber’s snake will do the job.
What tool can be used to unclog a toilet?
Coil spring-steel auger.
What faucet part needs to be cleaned every three to four months?
The Aerator, the screen inside the end of the faucet.
What helps keep unpainted concrete floors easy to keep clean?
Concrete sealer.
What should you use to clean unpainted concrete floors?
A solution of 4 to 6 tablespoons of washing soda in a gallon of hot water.
Mix scouring powder to the solution for tough jobs.
When can you clean hardwood floors with water?
When the floors have a polyurethane finish.
Do hardwood floors need to be waxed?
Hardwood floors that do not have a polyurethane finish probably will need to be waxed periodically.
Use liquid or paste “spirit” wax.
What is the best polish for vinyl floors?
Water emulsion wax.
Why should noisy water pipes be fixed promptly?
The condition that causes noisy pipes may be accompanied by vibration that can cause fittings to loosen and leak.
How often should your roof be inspected?
A qualified roofer should inspect your roof every three years.
What should be regularly checked on your security system?
The alarms and circuit breakers should be checked to make sure they are
in working order and the sensors should be inspected one by one.
To ensure your safety, what household equipment uses batteries that must be checked regularly
to make sure they are operable?
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They should be checked monthly.
Batteries should be changes twice per/year in conjunction with Daylight Savings Time changes.
What is the white powdery substance that develops on masonry walls?
Efflorescence sometimes appears on masonry walls. It is crystallized soluble salts that
can be removed by scrubbing with water and a stiff brush.
At what temperature should your water heater be set?
120 degrees Fahrenheit
How often do skylights need to be inspected?
Skylights should be inspected each time your roof is inspected so leaks don’t develop from cracks and
interruptions around its seals, caulking and flashings.
What is a simple solution you can use to wash extremely dirty exterior windows?
Use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water or 3 tablespoons of denatured alcohol per quart of warm water.
A piece of crumpled newspaper to wash the glass to help avoid lint left behind by paper towels.
What can you use to help a window slide easily?
Rub the channel with a piece of paraffin.
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