Carolina Mountain Living
Making Dreams of Mountain Living Come True in Asheville and Western North Carolina - Real Estate
Making Dreams of Mountain Living Come True in Asheville and Western North Carolina - Real Estate
Whether you're getting ready to sell your home or creating a budget for repairs, it's important to know the lifespan and necessary maintenance of your home appliances and materials. The initial quality of the product, the installation and the environment can greatly affect your home's lifespan one way or the other. Here's a guide to help you negotiate a sale, repair or major appliance purchase.
Roofs
You can maximize the life of your roof by keeping the surface free of all debris, especially behind heating/ventilating/air-conditioning units and pipes. If your roof is starting to collect moss or algae, install zinc control strips. Avoid walking on your roof to limit wear and tear.
Siding
Inspect your siding for damage in the spring and autumn. Look for problems, such as warped boards, missing or damaged shingles, holes in stucco, crumbling mortar, cracks, and pest damage. Periodic washing will help prolong its life.
Decks
The lifetime of your wood deck will depend on factors such as the type of wood used, exposure to sun and weather conditions - and how well the deck is maintained. Maintain your wood deck by sealing it with a clear epoxy sealer that does not let the wood turn gray. Most composite decks require little more than hosing them down once in a while.
Refrigerators
With proper maintenance, refrigerators can last 15 years or more. Periodically vacuum the condenser coils located on the bottom or back of your refrigerator to remove dust and lint buildup. Dust and dirt act as insulators and prevent the free flow of air.
Washers and dryers
These typically last 10 to 15 years. Periodically check washer water fill hoses for cracks, blisters, corroded fittings and leaks. Dryer lint build up is the leading cause of dryer failures. It often causes drying times to increase dramatically, which wastes energy and costs more money.
Water Heaters
Storage tank water heaters usually last five to 15 years. Anodes should be checked every three or four years if water in your area has a normal pH level, or every one or two years if water is acidic or artificially softened. Most tankless models have a life expectancy as long as 15 to 20 years.
Counter-tops
The normal lifetime of your counter-top depends on the type of material, as well as use and installation. Try to avoid harsh detergents and chemicals on all counter-top materials. Most natural stone and wood surfaces should be sealed at least once a year.
A professional cleaning and or waxing at least once a year will help preserve the condition of your carpet. Wood floors may be sanded and refinished several times before they become too thin and need to be replaced.
If the appliances and materials in your home exceed these time-frames, you may want to start planning to replace them. Your real estate agent can help you identify the most urgent replacements, if you're planning to sell your home in the near future.