Hard water and your appliances
A local factor in how long appliances last here.
Why it matters
Toledo's municipal water is treated Lake Erie water and tends to be hard, so mineral scale is a common factor in the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers across the metro. Scale builds up inside dishwashers, washing machines, and especially water heaters, reducing efficiency and shortening their life. If your appliances are wearing out faster than you'd expect, water hardness is often part of the reason.
Periodic descaling and, for some homes, a softener are the usual answers a provider may raise.