Maintaining Your Home

Helpful Advice to Protect Your Investment

Atlanta home inspectors know what to look for when doing a home inspection. Our home inspectors have years of experience in construction and are very skilled in assessing the structural integrity of a home. Our Atlanta home inspectors go through continuous training and are active within the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). These Atlanta home inspectors are ASHI certified and building-code certified by the International Construction Code (ICC).

Homes and their systems will wear out over time. Knowing how long a system or component will last enables the homeowner to plan and save for their repair or replacement. The following estimated life expectancies are based on averages and assumption of routine maintenance. Features that will impact these ranges include workmanship and installation quality, proper usage, geography, weather conditions, exposure to the elements and proper maintenance.

Average Life Expectancy by System

HEATING SYSTEM	YEARS
Furnace	15 – 25
Fans	15 – 30
Duct Work	25 +

AIR CONDITIONING	YEARS
Compressors	10 – 15
Fans	15 – 35

PLUMBING SYSTEMS	YEARS
Water Heaters:
Gas	12 – 20
Electric	10 – 15
Fixtures:
Faucets	20 – 60
Sinks, tubs, toilets	40 – 90

WATER SYSTEMS	YEARS
Public Water Line:
Copper	70 – 100
Cast Iron	60 – 100
Steel	40 – 75
P.V.C.	Yet to be determined
Polybutylene	Yet to be determined
Inside Water Supply Line:
Steel	40 – 60
Copper	50 – 70
Lead	50 – 70
P.V.C.	Yet to be determined
PEX	Yet to be determined
Polybutylene	Yet to be determined
Waste Drain Piping:
Steel	40 – 60
Lead	70 – 100
Copper	60 – 100
Cast Iron	50 – 90
P.V.C.	Yet to be determined
A.B.S.	Yet to be determined

WELL SYSTEMS	YEARS
Submersible Pump	15 – 20
Above Ground Pump	10 – 20
Steel Pressure Storage Tank	15 – 25
Fiberglass Pressure Storage Tank	25 – 50

SEPTIC SYSTEMS	YEARS
Steel Tank	15 – 30
Concrete tank	10 – 20
Steel Pressure Storage Tank	25 – 40

ROOFING SYSTEMS	YEARS
Fiberglass Reinforced Asphalt Shingles	15 – 25
3-Ply or 4-Ply Built-up Roofing	10 – 15
Metal	50 – 90
Cedar	20 – 50
Slate	35 – 200

GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS
Aluminum	15 – 20
Galvanized	15 – 22
Copper	35 – 60
P.V.C.	25 +

SIDING & VENEERS	YEARS
Aluminum	20 – 30
Vinyl	20 – 30
Hardboard or Composition	25 – 40
T-111 Plywood	20 – 40
Stucco	60 +
Stucco with Regular Painting	200 +
Cement-Asbestos with Painting	40 – 100
Brick	100 +
Masonry	100 +

WINDOW SYSTEMS	YEARS
Wood	35 – 100
Aluminum	10 – 25
Vinyl	20 +
Aluminum Storm Windows	30 – 40

INSIDE MATERIALS	YEARS
Plaster Walls	70 – 120
Plaster Ceilings	60 – 90
Ceramic Tile:
Wet Bed	40 – 90
Mastic System	14 – 20