Is it really time to replace your dishwasher? Well, not until you confirm these tell-tale signs
Invented at the end of the nineteenth century, the dishwasher has completely revolutionized how we go about washing and cleaning our cutlery and crockery after mealtimes.
Given this, it's a considerable disruption to the household when a dishwasher breaks down. But not all malfunctions are irreparable and there are signs you can look for which will warn you that your dishwasher is reaching the end of its useful life. Read on to find out more:
Dishes are still dirty
Failure to clean the dishes properly could be caused by errors you're making loading the dishwasher (eg. overloading the racks, blocking the spray arms, etc). However, if this is not the case, it could be due to the nozzles of the spray arms being blocked (by limescale, for example), a failure of sufficient water getting into the appliance or a failure of the heating system. For the latter two malfunctions, you will need to decide if it's cost-effective or not to get the dishwasher repaired.
Water leaks
Water leaking from a dishwasher is often only detected when rust stains start to appear in and around the machine (and especially on the flooring under the machine). Most leaks can be repaired easily, especially if the leaking is due to blockages or a faulty seals (which can be easily replaced without expert intervention). Of course, over time and with constant use, corrosive minerals in water will wear out the components of a washing machine and leaks will inevitably appear. Your decision will be if it's economically feasible to repair the appliance or simply replace it.
Excessive noise
If your dishwasher is making a lot of noise, the cause could be a simple loading error. But once you've ruled this cause out, you'll need to look for other faults. That said, if you cannot find the cause of continuous, excessive squealing or knocking coming from your dishwasher, this is good indicator that you probably need to replace the appliance (rather than spending money on a raft of expensive, ongoing repairs).
Your dishwasher is more than 10 years old
steven Pavlov/Wikimedia Commons
Older dishwashers not only can create more problems due to a greater frequency of wear-related failures, but also consume more resources (water and power) than newer, modern dishwashers. If your dishwasher is more than 10 years old and is starting to need frequent repairs, then the wisest choice would be to consider replacing it with a modern, more efficient model.
What other warning signs made you decide to replace your dishwasher?
