While HOA boards should rely on professional reserve studies for long term planning, having a general idea of product life cycles can possibly assist with annual budgeting. Even with a professional reserve study there are no guarantees on life cycles. This is because of extenuating circumstances such as environment, use, installation, and a myriad of other issues.
These extenuating circumstances cannot only vary from regions of the country, but possibly one city block to another city block. For example, water supply lines can have their life cycles drastically reduced by water pressure and how a municipality mediates these affects can vary from block to block. Another example is with water quality and the effects that has on water heaters and boilers. Hard water not only shortens water heater life cycles, it damages other appliances that have to content with this factor.
Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles 12-25 years
Flexible Membrane Roof 15-20 years
Slate Roofs 30-75 years
Galvanized Pipes 20-30 years
Copper Pipes 20-60 years
PVC Pipes 30-80 years
Gas Furnace 15-20 years
Heat Pump 12-17 years
Refrigerator 15-20 years
Water heater 8-12 years
Electric Range 10-12 years
Gas Ranges 13-15 years
Clothes Dryer 10-13 years
Clothes Washer 10-13 years
Microwave Ovens 7-9 years
Carpet 5-7 years
Furniture 5-7 years
Concrete 30-50 years
Asphalt Paving 25-35 years
Painting 4-6 years
Boiler 15-20 years
Sewer Lines (Cast-iron) 35 Years
Sewer Lines (PVC) 45-60 years
Water Lines 25 Years
Sidewalks (Concrete) 35-40 years
Decks (Treated Wood) 10-13 years
Fences (Painted Wood) 13-15 years
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