# Life Expectancy of... **URL:** \ **Category:** Public Archive\ **Created:** [May 31, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101 "2003-05-31T00:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/1 "2003-05-31T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: wwarner** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * determine this, yet many pre-printed inspection forms have blanks for the life expectancy and age of many systems i.e. furnace/heat etc. This confuses me as to what I should do. I am not that confident in my ability to determine the life of such items. Do most of you report the life expectancies??? Thanks Bill * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/2 "2003-05-30T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jmyers** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Bill, I do include life expectancies in my reports on major systems and/or components. While it is certainly understandable that you are not and do not want to include them in your report you could simply type in N/A in the space where the report system you are using asks you to fill in the information. Many other inspector here do not include life expectancies in their reports. I do simply because I like the client to know how long those appliances should last and I do not guarantee they will. Joe Myers * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/3 "2003-05-31T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: wwarner** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Thanks Joe! I just had a problem with the liability issue of putting this in writing. It's easy to estimate that a water softener should have another 5 years left on it by looking at the overall condition of it, but we all know the unpredictability of the electronics/mechanics involved in such a system or other systems for that matter. And I know the general public all too well to be stating this. I feel it would be better to say that a unit appears to be somewhat older or somewhat newer and life expectancy is not available or not determinable. I just wanted to see what other inspectors were doing. Thanks again Joe Bill * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/4 "2003-05-31T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: ismetaniuk** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * This membership was a big waste of my time! * * * – Igor Top To Bottom Inspections Glen Spey, NY ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/5 "2003-05-31T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jmyers** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Bill, A life expectancy is just that, an expectancy. I let everyone know up front that is just a general life span, not to rely heavily on it. Anything can break at any time, without warning. I suggest they have appliances cleaned and serviced regularly, like annually. This is well worth the $99 you pay for that type of preventive maintenance. If you make yourself sound like god to the client they will always expect you to be god and when they are disappointed you will pay! Good luck. Joe Myers * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/6 "2003-05-31T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: David VanderSchaaf** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Hi William I do include life expectancy in my reports for the main reason that my clients would like to know the condition of the components and a reasonable amount to set aside to budget for that project. I tell them that it is a rough estimate of time and I usually put in less that time than the actual life expectancy. I very rarely use actual times like years. I would say that a roof for instance is nearing the end of its life expectancy and that the client should budget for a new roof in about 2 to 5 years. This gives them a ball park idea that a new roof is needed in the not too far future. There are some programs and franchises that include a complete schedule for life expectancy, one being Pillar to Post. Hope this helps * * * – VanderSchaaf Property Inspection 174 Norton ON London Ontario 519-686-6211 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/7 "2003-06-01T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: David VanderSchaaf** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Hi William Just another note concerning components like a furnace. the life expectancy is usually 15 to 20 years. this seems quite short but actually the main emphasis is the efficiency of the unit. You can drive a 1974 Lincoln Towncar and it would run just great, but you still have to put gas in it. The same with a furnace. It may function great for over 35 years but is it efficient in comparison to today’s standard. It would probably be wise to install a new high efficiency unit and save money on fuel cost, repair and maintenance. * * * – VanderSchaaf Property Inspection 174 Norton ON London Ontario 519-686-6211 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/8 "2003-06-01T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: wwarner** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Thanks all for the help… You've answered a lot of questions for me. And thanks Igor, I just read that string. I've been trying to catch up on some of the old posts, didn't get to that one yet or else I wouldn't have asked. You guys are great, thanks for all the help nowand in the future. Bill * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/9 "2003-06-01T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: mhenderson** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * I Heard Nick was working on a crystal ball for all NACHI members & predicting life expectancies will be much easier soon! ![icon_lol.gif](http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif) Mike @ [Eagle I Home Inspections](http://www.angelfire.com/home/inspection) * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/10 "2003-06-02T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jmyers** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Mike, That is pretty funny. How did you know he was planning a crystal ball, that was supposed to be top secret! ![icon_biggrin.gif](http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif) Bill, Ultimately it is a personal choice, sometimes as you have learned a software choice, to place life expectancies in your report. Many of the people that I have spoken with are happy with the fact they know how long these things should last so they can financially plan for their replacement. It does have its drawbacks, you certainly want to be careful you are not misleading them into a false sense of security. ![icon_biggrin.gif](http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif) Joe Myers * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/11 "2003-06-03T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: Richard Stanley** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * If I’m not mistaken, I think the ASHI web site has a list of life expectancies for lots of things. I don’t include them. * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/12 "2003-06-03T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jmyers** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Richard, Are those life expectancies in a public portion of that web site, or in the private section? I don't ever remember seeing them there! Joe Myers * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/13 "2003-06-04T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: rray** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * My company actually has a brochure called “Is That Going To Last?” with information gathered from major insurance companies. * * * – Home inspections. . . . One home at a time. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/14 "2003-06-04T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: jmyers** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Russel, That is a really good idea for those that don't want to include them on the report. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us. Joe Myers * * * ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/15 "2003-06-05T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: rray** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * ![](http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/usrimages/ITGTL1.jpg) ![](http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/usrimages/ITGTL2.jpg) * * * -- Home inspections. . . . One home at a time. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/16 "2003-06-05T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: dbush** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Russel, how can I plagerize it if I can’t read it? The print is too small. ![icon_lol.gif](http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif) * * * – Dave Bush MAB Member "LIFE'S TOUGH, WEAR A HELMET" ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/f/df7ced6a9ca05e7c93fa949dfc12a8c10d06c887.png) [@system](https://forum.nachi.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/life-expectancy-of/166101/17 "2003-06-05T00:00:00Z")
**Originally Posted By: rray** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * Well, it’s a copyrighted document from my franchisor anyway, so, naughty, naughty, naughty. No plagiarizing allowed. However, try this from the Housing Inspection Foundation: Top 10 Most Common Home Problems In a recent survey, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) identified the most common home problems. It is interesting to note that four of the top ten problems involved water or moisture. 1. Improper Surface Grading and Drainage Responsible for the most common household aggravations, including water penetration into the basement or crawlspace. All basements eventually will leak. 2. Improper Electrical Wiring Includes insufficient electrical service, inadequate overload protection, and amateur (and often dangerous) wiring connections. 3. Roof Damage Caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing and drainage. 4. Heating Systems Includes broken or malfunctioning controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal. 5. Poor Overall Maintenance Includes cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures and appliances. 6. Structure-Related Problems Usually as a result of problems in other categories, damage is sustained by structural components like foundation walls, floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers. 7. Plumbing Includes old or incompatible piping materials and faulty fixtures and waste lines. 8. Exteriors Flaws in this category rarely have structural significance but may pose discomfort to the occupants due to water and air penetration. Inadequate caulking or weather stripping are most common. 9. Poor Ventilation In an effort to save energy, many homeowners have ?oversealed? their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture. Significant moisture can lead to rotting and failure of both structural and non-structural elements. 10. Miscellaneous This category includes interior components (often cosmetic in nature) that were so infrequent that they did not rank individually on the survey. Homeowners should understand that regional climates, local building codes, and the age of the home have a direct bearing on the ranking of these defects. For instance, the statistics relating to electrical and plumbing problems and roofing may vary from one location to another. In addition, in older homes, problems such as heating system failure, inadequate electrical service and wiring, and worn plumbing was found much more frequently than reflected in the nationwide survey. Housing Inspection Foundation The Association of Home Inspectors IS THAT GOING TO LAST? The number of years one can reasonably expect various components of the home to last, as determined by a comprehensive survey of researchers, trade associations, and manufacturers. Life expectancy may vary greatly depending on quality of material, installation methods, maintenance, environmental factors, and use. The HomeTeam Inspection Service only reports on conditions at the time of inspection and does not warrant the life expectancy of homes or their components. Item Years Air conditioning Central unit and compressor 15 Window unit 10 Galvanized duct work 30 Plastic duct work 15 Bathtub & shower Cast iron tub 50 Fiberglass shower/tub 10-15 Carpet 11 Dishwasher 10 Screen door 25-50 Shower door 25 Deck, wood 15 Driveway Asphalt 10 Concrete 24 Dryer 14 Exhaust fan 20 Faucets 13-20 Fence 12 Fireplace damper 20 Freezer 12-16 Furnace Forced air, heat pump 15 Gas 18 Garage door opener 10 Garage door 20-50 Garbage disposal 10 Gutters and downspouts 30 Heater, gas or electric 13 Microwave oven 11 Oven 14 Paint 3-10 Patio, brick and concrete 24 Refrigerator 14-17 Roofing Composite shingles 15-30 Wood shingles and shakes 15-30 Sheet metal 20-50 Slate 50-100 Tile 50 Item Years Shutters Interior aluminum 35-50 Interior wood Lifetime Exterior aluminum 3-5 Exterior wood 4-5 Plastic (vinyl), exterior 7-8 Sidewalks Concrete 24 Gravel 4 Siding Aluminum 20-50 Vinyl 50 Wood 10-100 Metal 50-lifetime Sink Enameled cast iron 25-30 Enameled steel 5-10 Porcelain 25-30 Smoke detector 12 Sprinkler system 12 Stove Electric 17 Gas 19 Swimming pool 18 Tennis court 10 Termite proofing 5 Toilet 50 Trash compactor 10 Wallpaper 7 Washer 13 Water heater, electric 14 Water heater, gas 11-13 Window Aluminum casement 10-20 Screen 25-50 Wood casement 20-50 Glazing 20 Housing Inspection Foundation The Association of Home Inspectors [/url] * * * -- Home inspections. . . . One home at a time. ---
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**Originally Posted By: wwarner** **This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.** * * * You guys are awesome!!! You've given so much info and help! Much appreciated!!!! Bill * * *