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When you transition from renting your living space to owning your own home, you may find that you have more responsibility than before. This may include taking care of the structure of your home, the appliances, and its systems.
If they are well-maintained, some aspects of a home are meant to last for decades. Your home’s foundation, framing, plumbing, and wiring, for example, should last a long time. Some aspects of your home may require more frequent maintenance or replacements.
Longevity depends on several factors, including the quality of materials, how they were installed, maintenance, and environmental conditions.
According to the National Association of Realtors, most breakages in major home appliances occur in the eighth year of the appliance’s life. Experts also say shorter appliance lifespans result from cheaper materials, more advanced electronic components, and repair-unfriendly designs.
An appliance breakdown can throw off your entire routine, but they don’t break without reason. There will be warning signs and simple ways to stop small problems from becoming large, expensive ones.
Much like when you maintain your car with oil changes or tire rotations, your appliances also need maintenance to run their best. Dust, lint, food particles, and hard water buildup are all things that don’t seem serious until there are clogged vents, blocked filters, and overworked motors.
Actions that push machines beyond what they’re meant to handle can cause them to break down more quickly or more often. It’s best to read through the user manual when you first install the machine or system. Misuse of washers, such as your laundry, can cause motors or belts to fail because of excess weight. Overloading your dishwasher with dishes can cause a build up of food and residues, leading to blocked water streams and clogged filters. Cleaning out filters or trays regularly, such as your refrigerator’s drip pan and your dryer’s lint catcher, will also help keep systems running well.
Power surges from bad weather can fry control boards. Your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, and washer and dryer units can all be damaged by electrical surges. While most modern appliances draw too much power for a standard surge protector, you can invest in a whole-home surge protector to reduce the chance of having to replace an entire appliance after a storm.
If repairing a system or appliance costs more than half the price of a new unit, it’s best to just replace it. Even if you were to get it repaired, if an appliance is over ten years old, it’s likely that other parts will fail soon.
New systems and appliances can have a lot of bells and whistles. While some may improve your life, such as smart systems for your HVAC, others are unnecessary. When it’s time to buy new units, experts advise you ask an appliance technician for insight. As experts in their field, they’ll let you know what they’re called in to repair most often and what other models run better instead. Warranties can also provide better service policies and coverage if your system needs maintenance and repairs.
Regular maintenance, inspections from experts, and appropriate use are all ways to ensure your appliances and home systems last as long as possible. Just as you rely on expert advice for your machines, be sure a home finance professional is in your corner to help you. Our Licensed Loan Originators are dedicated to finding the best mortgage solutions that match your financing goals. The best way to get started is with a pre-approval! Contact us today!
Homestead Funding offers exceptional customer service and a convenient mortgage process. Whatever your financing needs, our goal is to exceed your expectations.
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