Start here
What to do after buying a house
The catch-up audit: assume the previous owner did nothing, and work through the vents, filters, valves, and safety checks that prove otherwise.Read the guide →
How much to save for home repairs
What a house really costs per year, why big failures arrive in clusters, and how to size a repair fund from the ages of your actual systems.Read the guide →
The new homeowner checklist
Everything to handle before you move in, in your first 30 days, and across your first year in the house.Read the guide →
The seasonal home maintenance checklist
What to do in spring, summer, fall, and winter to keep your house out of trouble — and what each task actually prevents.Read the guide →
The top 20 DIY home improvement projects
Ranked by payoff per hour of effort — with difficulty, time, cost, and the tools you actually need.Read the guide →
What documents to keep (and for how long)
Birth certificates to bank statements: retention periods and where to store each one, in one practical checklist.Read the guide →Lookup
How long things last
Straight answers on the systems your house runs on — the same year ranges adulting.app uses to tell a household its water heater is entering its last winter.How long does a water heater last?8–12 years
How long does an HVAC system last?15–20 years
How long does a mini-split last?15–20 years
How long does a roof last?20–30 years
How long do gutters last?20–25 years
How long do smoke detectors last?8–10 years
How long does a sump pump last?7–10 years
How long does a garage door last?15–25 years
How long does a water softener last?10–15 years
How long does a septic system last?25–40 years
How long do solar panels last?25–30 years
How long does an EV charger last?10–15 years
