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The age of various house members/units is crucial in the understanding of their remaining useful life. Listed below are some typical age/life expectancies. These are general statements, for there are many factors which determine the life of a house member/unit that are impossible to detect on a visual inspection. Some members/units may perform well beyond their expected life, while others may need replacement sooner.
| House Members/Units |
Est. Useful Life |
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asphalt composite roof |
15 - 30 |
| slate/tile roof |
50+ |
| septic system (leaching fields) |
18 - 20 |
| boiler/furnace |
20 - 30 |
| heat exchanger w/humidifier |
10 |
| combustion chambers |
10 |
| burner |
10 |
| appliances |
5 - 8 |
| hot water tank |
5 - 12 |
| tankless hot water (serviced properly) |
10+ |
| buried water pipes in concrete |
15 - 18 |
| window maintenance/repairs |
maintain annually |
| flashing maintenance/repairs |
maintain annually |
| metal chimneys |
10 |
| metal flue lines |
10 |
| unlined brick flues |
20+ |
| automatic flue dampers |
inspect annually |
| swimming pool liners |
10 |
| tile walls (average quality) |
1 - 5 |
| exposed wood deck or porch |
5 - 7 |
| old wiring |
unknown |
| thermal seals in windows |
5+ |
| caulking/putty (average quality) |
1 - 5 |
| painted siding/trim |
5 |
| stained siding/trim |
7+ |
| downspout drywalls |
10 |
| termite treatment |
5 - 7 |
| carpenter ant treatment |
annually |
| air conditioning compressor |
8 - 12 |
| old water pipes |
unknown |
| old drains, traps, vents, waste pipes |
unknown |
| buried oil tanks |
15 |
| oil tanks |
30 |
| plumbing fixtures/faucets |
unknown |
| fiberboard siding |
5 - 7 years (properly treated) |
| rolling roofing seams |
maintain annually |
| chimney maintenance |
inspect annually |
| pump motors |
5+ |
| roof drainage maintenance |
service semiannually |
| heat pump |
8 - 10 | |
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Tips From R.J.D.
Some form of basement dampness exists in most homes in our New England area. It can range from slight efflorescence to high water rust lines on lally columns. Often, however, in houses which are being offered for sale, the visible signs on the interior of a basement which would indicate a past or present water and or moisture problem are concealed. For example, an area may be painted over, or basement storage may be piled against a wall where a problem has occurred or if it has been dry for a period before the Inspection, signs of past water penetration may not be visible. Our experience shows that substantial dampness can be eliminated with proper diversion of roof and ground water. A damaged gutter or leader discharging into a low area at the foundation will be a major source of dampness in the basement. We note dampness in our reports, and attempt to determine its source and recommend a solutions.
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