Here are link resources for improving your home's life expectancy.

Preventive maintenance may be the secret to improving your home's life expectancy.

Many factors influence durability, including quality of products and installation,
the frequency of maintenance and the intensity of use.

Here are maintenance resources for your perusal...

HEATING SYSTEMS
Lifespan: 15-20+ years
http://www.homeenergy.org/homeenergy.html
Click on "Consumer Information" to read why houses work -- or don't!

WATER HEATERS
Lifespan: 10-15+ years
http://www.plbg.com/
Click on "Enter Here" to read discussion and advice forum!

REFRIGERATORS
Lifespan: 15+ years
http://fridgedoctor.com/generic/main/
Click on "Articles" to read Clarence Yuzik's "Fridge Doctor Book"!

WASHING MACHINES
Lifespan: 13+ years
http://www.repairclinic.com/0047_11.asp
Click on "Q&A" articles for great maintenance and repair tips!

STOVES
Lifespan: 14-19+ years
http://www.allsands.com/Home/stoverepair_yhv_gn.htm
http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/stovemaintenance.html
Click on either of these articles for a good overview of stove maintenance!

SINKS AND FAUCETS
Lifespan: 13-20+ years
http://www.theplumber.com/
Click on the "Plumbing Care & Repair Handbook" for all you need to know!

DISHWASHERS
Lifespan: 10+ years
http://www.allsands.com/Misc2/dishwashermaint_uyv_gn.htm
http://www.repairclinic.com/0088_9_2.asp
Click on either of these articles for a good overview of dishwasher maintenance!

TOILETS
Lifespan: 50+ years
http://www.fluidmaster.com/usa.html
Click on "Professor Flush" to find a cure for what ails your toilet!

CARPETING
Lifespan: 11+ years
http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/
Click on content-based articles at bottom of page for great tips!

ROOFING
Lifespan: 15-100 years
http://nrca.net/
Click on "Consumer Information" for roofing evaluation and maintenance!

CHIMNEYS
Lifespan: Lifetime
http://www.csia.org/
Click on "Hot Topics" or "Homeowner Information" for use and cleaning tips!

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS
Lifespan: 30+ years
http://www.gutterworks.com/
Click on "Gutter Problems & Solutions" for help from these good folks from Iowa!

WEATHER-STRIPPING, CAULKING AND WINDOWS
Lifespan: 10-20+ years
http://www.doityourself.com/energy/intro.htm
Click on "Weatherizing Audit" and then follow the "Checklist"!

BUG-PROOFING
Lifespan: 5 years (less in damp climates)
http://www.insectclopedia.com/
Click on "Pests found in Home" to discover what needs to be watched for and eliminated!

Some good advice also comes from an article in CONSUMER REPORTS:
"Fix it or Forget it?" October, 2001.

Any other suggestions for great sites, please let me know,
I'll report them on the radio show.

Down Home Radio
http://www.DownHomeRadio.com/

Best Regards,

Tom Landis

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION:
Rossi, Doug. "Built to Last"
Friendly Exchange, Summer, 2002, Ppg. 18-24.

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