Dishwashers take the hard work out of cleaning up after dinner and keeping your kitchen tidy. These convenient appliances are so common that most homeowners take them for granted, but you could be in for a big surprise if your dishwasher stops working and you’re stuck washing everything by hand. While you can’t stop all appliance breakdowns from happening, knowing the signs that your dishwasher is wearing out will help you make the right repair and replacement decisions.
Is Your Dishwasher Wearing Out?
Like most Austin homeowners, you rely on your dishwasher to help you tackle kitchen cleanup tasks. Keeping up on maintenance and monitoring your dishwasher for any signs of trouble will help to ensure that you’re not stuck scrubbing pots by hand. Remember that most dishwashers are designed to last for about 10 years, so you’ll need to take your washer’s age into account as you evaluate its condition.
It’s important to pay close attention to your dishwasher while it’s running to ensure that no problems are developing. Stand near your dishwasher, listen and look for any signs of a coming breakdown. If you have a newer dishwasher with a digital display, pay attention to any error codes that pop up. Some of the most common signs that a dishwasher is wearing down are:
• Shaking and rattling noises that continue throughout the wash cycle.
• Difficulty getting the dishwasher to start or to stop once a cycle is started.
• Leaking around or underneath the dishwasher.
• Dishes that are still dirty after a washing cycle has been completed.
If you’d like to get an idea of what sort of problem your dishwasher suffers from before you call in a repair professional, you’ll need to determine which dishwasher components are worn or broken. Many dishwasher breakdowns are caused by relatively simple problems with electrical connections, door latches, drain valves, water inlet valves and float levels.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Dishwasher?
Every homeowner will face appliance breakdowns from time to time. If your dishwasher has stopped working, you’ll need to decide if it’s time to call in an appliance repair professional or replace the machine. As a rule of thumb, consider replacing the dishwasher if the cost of repairing it is more than half of its original value.
If your dishwasher is leaking, it’s especially important that you call a technician to assess the problem as soon as you can. Leaking dishwashers can lead to serious property damage and the buildup of dangerous mold. If you’re worried about your dishwasher, call the pros at ABC Home & Commercial Services today to set up an appointment.