No amount of DIY skills and knowledge can extend the lifespan of an already underperforming faucet. The answer for that is almost always getting a new faucet installed. With replacements in mind, are you aware of how some of the most common plumbing fixtures you have at home can serve you?
If not, you’re in the right article. Besides telling you how to fix or replace some plumbing fixtures, we’re also going to tell you how long they’ll last or how long it’ll be before they start performing under their intended level. Granted, their age isn’t always the reason behind needing replacement. Plumbing fixtures go through a lot. Improper use, installation, and repair can kill them.
If you’ve been through enough plumbing issues where you live, you’re probably aware of how stressful it is to watch a leaky pipe do its thing while you’re waiting for someone to come and fix everything for you.
One of the reasons we’re going to tell you about the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures is to help you stay informed on when some of them need replacement or maintenance work.
Even if how long they’ll last can also be affected by the material they’re made out of, your water softener, and the environment they’re in, it’s safe to say that those factors don’t add a considerable amount of time to their lifespan. In the end, you’d still have to replace them.
Here’s a guide to when you need to do the replacement for your plumbing fixtures:
Table of Contents
1. Water Heater
Your water heater is something you use every single day. It’s practically impossible for your home not to have one. From hot showers to washing your clothes, you use your home’s water heater to get an adequate supply of hot water for varying purposes.
With how much you need this plumbing appliance, the last thing you want is for it to stop working when you’re excited to hop into the shower for a nice warm bath. To avoid running into this predicament, you should be informed about how long your water heater will last based on their model:
- Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years.
- Traditional tank water heaters can last between eight and 12 years.
- Heat pump water heaters can last around 10 years, but there are limited data to prove this because they’re newer than the other two.
2. Air Conditioner
Imagine transitioning into summer without an air conditioning system because the one you have installed at home broke down in the middle of spring or well into the hottest days of the hot season. The sticky, humid, and stressful feeling of the high temperatures can surely drive some people mad, while some even get allergies.
To ensure that a horrible experience remains inside your imagination, you should know when to expect your air conditioning system to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Ensuring that all the air conditioning servicing is done before the hot months come in is a good measure.
We’re here to keep you informed and cool, so here are the lifespans of the two most popular types of air conditioning units:
- Standard central air conditioning units can last you around 20 years. The lifespan can be shorter if you use your air conditioning unit more than average. It can last longer if you use it less.
- Window air conditioning units, on the other hand, last about 10 years. That’s with proper maintenance. One of the factors affecting their lifespan is their size. Some units are installed in too big rooms, meaning the unit would need more power to keep the room cool. That can significantly shorten its lifespan.
3. Plumbing Pipes
The hidden beneath the floors and falls pipes play a huge role in keeping your home appliances working. They’re the ones who are in charge of making your home dry, functional, and hygienic. You might think that because they’re out of your sight, they won’t be prone to damage due to mishandling.
But the truth is, the factors that determine their lifespan are material and location. While some plumbing pipes can last indefinitely, some last only up to 20 years, especially with high usage. Supply pipes have a shorter lifespan compared to drainpipes, mainly because they’re constantly under a lot of pressure and use. Here are the lifespans of the most common supply pipe materials:
- Copper pipes can last a minimum of 50 years.
- Brass-made pipes can last between 40 and 70 years.
- Galvanized steel can last only between 20 and 50 years.
For drainpipes:
- PVC pipes can last a lifetime.
- Iron pipes can last a minimum of 75 years.
4. Toilets
Have you experienced getting a new toilet at least once in your life? If not, you’re probably using one that’s made of good material and is maintained well. Toilets age well, even with the number of things they go through. They can be used for up to 50 years, but some places need you to replace them if they’re older than 25 years.
The reason behind this is that newer toilets use less water. As a homeowner, you need to follow water usage standards where you live. You also don’t want to rack up on utility bills because of a toilet that’s 50 years old.
With this knowledge in mind, you can make well-informed decisions on whether to have your plumbing fixture repaired or replaced. You can also be more aware of how to deal with them when the time comes.
