Is Your House Over 15 Years Old? Here’s What You Should Be Fixing

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According to a survey shared by This Old House earlier in the year, 48% of homeowners planned to renovate in 2025, with 61% admitting that they would have to borrow money to cover the costs of renovations.

The report also noted that home renovation costs vary depending on the project’s purpose. Let’s catalogue the most essential home maintenance and upgrades.

The Year When Repairs and Replacements Become Necessary

The one example shared pointed out that a small bathroom renovation could cost less than $5,000, while a major remodel could set you back $40,000. While many renovations could be done for aesthetic purposes, certain upgrades can’t be avoided if your home is approaching a certain age.

“The 15-year mark is a critical financial tipping point for homeowners,” said Irena Martincevic, an industry analyst and financial content specialist at Fixr.com. “Waiting on core systems that are nearing their end of life doesn’t save money. It simply trades a planned, moderate expense for an unplanned, often catastrophic and much more expensive failure.”

What To Focus On In Your Home Maintenance

Martincevic highlighted five important areas where proactive replacement or maintenance pays off once a home reaches 15 years, and emphasized the importance of addressing issues early on rather than waiting too long. GOBankingRates also consulted with other real estate experts to create this checklist. The following links will provide information on lifespan data and cost information. 

1. Water Heater

• Average lifespan: 10-15 years

“If your home is 15 years old and your water heater is original to the home, it’s definitely time to upgrade,” said Aaron Adams, a master plumber and CEO of Aaron Services: Plumbing, Heating, Cooling. “Tank water heaters often leak at the end of their lives, and the leaks can be significant.” The water in the water heater can flood your entire basement.

The biggest issue with water damage is that you have to pay for emergency plumbing rates, mold remediation and other hefty expenses that could lead to catastrophic losses of five figures or more, simply because you avoided a moderate investment. 

Martincevic noted that the water heater is the most critical item on the 15-year checklist because a standard replacement costs around $1,400, while waiting for the inevitable failure risks severe water damage in the future. Your relatively small investment in replacing your water heater around the 15-year mark will help you save money and avoid stress. 

2. AC System

• Average lifespan: 15-20 years

Per data from This Old House, you can spend anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 to replace your unit.

“While an AC unit might run past 15 years, its energy efficiency drops dramatically,” said Martincevic. “If repairs exceed 50% of the replacement cost, or if you’ve had ongoing problems, replacing the unit, though more expensive upfront, is the better long-term financial choice.” 

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but it’s best to engage the cost at an optimum time of your choosing.

“If your A/C stops cooling in the heat of summer, you’ll have to get in line with all the other customers caught in the heat,” said Adams. “And when demand is up, so are prices.”

The experts agree that the ideal time to get the best price on an HVAC system is in the fall or spring, rather than waiting until it’s too late.

3. Your Roof/Asphalt Shingles 

• Average lifespan of asphalt shingles: 10-20 years

According to This Old House, the average cost of a roof replacement is $11,084, while the average price of repairing a roof is $1,147. Martincevic noted that, as the most common roofing material, asphalt shingles tend to fail around the 15-year mark. She warned that ignoring signs of wear could lead to leaks and structural damage, turning a routine re-roofing project into a significant and costly repair. 

Dan Staupe, a home renovation expert and co-owner of Compass Exteriors, noted that roofs are one of the most expensive repairs or replacements, but also the most necessary. This is why it’s essential to stay on top of roof check-ups and maintenance.

“It’s one of those things that most homeowners will have to spend on at least once in their life, because the roof is so essential to the structural integrity of the home.,” he said. “After 15 years, depending on the materials used and the climate you live in, some roofs will need repairs or even a complete replacement.”

4. Vinyl Windows 

• Average lifespan: 15-20 years

“Windows need constant maintenance, but they might also require a complete overhaul, depending on how they’ve aged,” said Staupe. “They need gaps filled around the frame, because that’s where the cold air gets in, and the warm air gets out.”

Around the 15-year mark, the seals begin to fail, resulting in drafts and significant energy loss. Upgrading your windows could improve insulation and directly reduce your heating and cooling costs. 

Martincevic added, “For homeowners planning to sell, replacement is especially strategic, since new vinyl windows are projected to deliver an impressive 76% ROI this year.” According to Fixr data, the average cost of replacing your windows is $800 per window, with prices varying according to the type you choose and the number you need replaced. 

5. Major Kitchen Appliances 

• Average lifespan: 8-15 years

“After about a decade, the cost-benefit analysis often tips toward replacement,” said Martincevic. “Our data show repairs on older major kitchen appliances can easily exceed $1,000, making a new, energy-efficient model the more practical choice.”

The Fixr data indicate that a comprehensive kitchen remodeling project, which involves replacing everything from cabinets and appliances to countertops, will cost an average of $40,000. While this isn’t the most crucial upgrade, you don’t want to ignore the role of your kitchen appliances on your water bill and your personal satisfaction levels. 

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