It is sometimes hard to know when to repair an appliance or if it needs to be replaced completely. It is important for everyone to know the lifespan of universal appliances and when it’s better to repair versus replace.
It is usually an issue of regular maintenance and repair, but when an appliance needs to be replaced, numerous repairs can quickly add up to exceed the cost of a new appliance. We want to help save your hard earned dollars with this information on the lifespan of the most common household plumbing appliances.
When to repair or replace a toilet
A toilet’s average lifespan is usually lifetime guaranteed unless the porcelain is cracked. Normally, what needs to be repaired are the flushing mechanisms. Most toilets are replaced when bathrooms are remodeled to go with the new look of the bathroom. If you have an older toilet, which typically contains 3.5 gallons of water, you might consider upgrading to a newer model. Newer models hold 1.6 gallons of water and can significantly save money over time.
When to repair or replace a dishwasher
The average lifespan of a dishwasher is 8-10 years and is an appliance that can easily add up to or exceed the cost of a new appliance if it needs a lot of repairs. To maintain the lifespan of your dishwasher, keep the following tips in mind:
- Clean the sprayer arms. As with any appliance that uses water, hard water deposits can form on the holes in the sprayer arms. The arms are usually detachable and can be cleaned with warm water and soap or even vinegar. Try to clean the arms once a month to ensure optimal spraying and a long life.
- Make sure your hot water heater is set to the correct temperate and doesn’t get too hot for the dishwasher.
- Run cleansing cycles with special dishwasher detergents or even a packet of sugar-free lemonade, which contains citric acid that can assist in resolving clogs and mineral deposits.
When to repair or replace a washing machine
The average lifespan of a washing machine is 8-12 years. If your washing machine is nearing the end of its life, consider replacing it with a more energy efficient one. There are two different kinds of washers: front loading and top loading. Front-loading machines are more energy efficient and wash better than top-loading machines.
When to repair or replace a water heater
The average lifespan of a water heater is around 12 years but can be extended considerably with regular maintenance and repair. If your heater is nearing its 12th year, we highly recommend upgrading to a newer version that will pay for itself in 3-5 years from energy savings.
Some repairs can be made to water heaters, except the tank. Once the tank is rusted through, the whole appliance must be replaced. To prevent your tank from rusting, replace the sacrificial anode rods every 3-4 years. If you use a water softener, you will need to replace them more frequently.
With all the above appliances, it is important to perform regular maintenance, which are often at-home steps you can take to increase the lifespan and functionality of the appliance. Remember these lifespan averages and consider replacing appliances when they reach this mark to a more energy efficient appliance.
Done all you can do to repair or maintenance the plumbing in your home? We can help with more of the heavy lifting! We offer plumbing services such as toilet repair, water heater repair or replacement, and so much more. Request service today.