In a perfect world, we would never have to replace our appliances; however, life happens. If you live in a house with a dishwasher, you know how convenient they are. You can load them up and then just turn them on when you’re ready. Unfortunately, these machines do wear out over time.
It’s not always easy to know when your dishwasher needs to be replaced, but there are a few telltale signs that let you know it may be time.
12 Signs That Your Dishwasher May Be Dying
Here are 12 signs that may indicate that your dishwasher is on it’s last legs or on it’s way.
1. Your Dishwasher Is 10 Plus Years Old
You know your dishwasher is old if it’s older than ten years. If you have a lower-end model, then maybe it’s time to upgrade because they’re not efficient and newer models might save you money in the long run – especially with water and electric bills. Although there are no specific cut off measurements for when a person should consider upgrading their dishwashers based on age alone since this largely depends on how well someone cleans or even maintains theirs, but 10 years seems like an arbitrary mark that can be used as an indicator of whether yours needs replacing or not.
2. You Are Hearing Strange Noises Coming From Your Dishwasher
Dishwashers are typically a pretty quiet machine, but if your dishwasher is making strange sounds or has an unusually loud hiss then it’s time to investigate or possibly replace it.
Whether you’re hearing high-pitched screeching like nails on chalkboard; loud banging and scraping metal against metal; low rumbling that shakes dishes out of cabinets onto countertops below them: there are plenty ways for odditys with noise patterns to indicate problems brewing within your appliance which could lead to costly repair bills down the road without warning.
And sometimes, the repair bills can end up adding to much more than what you would have paid for a brand new dishwasher.
3. The Dishwasher Is Starting To Rust
You might think that a couple specks of rust on the outside of your dishwasher is not as severe, but in reality it’s just one step before there are also big chunks inside. If you start to see any significant signs like this–rust or otherwise–then we recommend upgrading to a new appliance ASAP.
4. The Door Won’t Lock / Latch Anymore
If the dishwasher door doesn’t lock / latch, then that means that the cleaning cycles can’t begin. If this is the only problem with your dishwasher then we would recommend to call in your plumber to have that replaced or fixed.
But if a broken latch is one of multiple problems with your dishwasher, then it may just be a very tell tale sign that it’s time to replace your appliance.
5. You Notice Standing Water In Your Dishwasher After A Cycle
It is not uncommon to find a small amount of water inside your dishwasher after the cycle has completed. Plastic dishes may be wet or have some residual food on them, but there should never be standing water that has pooled at the bottom of your appliance. This will indicate that you are having problems with drainage and it can easily become clogged again if left unfixed – which also makes for an unpleasant odor in close quarters!
6. Water Is Not Pumping Into or Out Of The Dishwasher
A dirty, stuck or broken sensor can cause dishwasher problems such as not pumping the water out properly. This means that dishes do not get clean and there is a risk of flooding when you open it to load more in because the pump has failed.
7. The Dishes Aren’t Getting As Clean As They Used To Be (Or At All)
If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning well, the first thing you should do is check to see if there are any food particles in the filter. If not, go ahead and give it a thorough clean up!
The next thing to check is to make sure that you are loading your dishwasher properly. If you cram as many items in there as possible – then it may be that your dishes aren’t getting cleaned because there’s just no room around them for the water to get in there and clean them.
But if you’ve cleaned out the filter in your dishwasher and you’re loading the dishes in there properly and you’re still seeing dirty dishes after running a cleaning cycle, well, it may be time to call in a plumber or to replace your dishwasher.
8. The Dishes Aren’t Hot After A Completed Cycle
It’s important to keep your dishes sanitary. If you’re not washing them at a high enough temperature, they might be too dirty for eating off of; this could lead to illness and other health concerns!
The FDA recommends keeping dishwasher temperatures around 165°F (73.9°C) to 180°F (82.2°C) which should ensure proper sanitation in most cases–though if it doesn’t feel like your dishes are getting any cleaner than usual, then there might be another issue going on.
9. Your Glasses Are Coming Out With Spots
Along with dirty dishes, you may also be seeing spots on your glassware. No one wants to see that – it’s a sign that your dishwasher is not working properly. The most common things that cause spots on your glassware are…
- Hard water. If you live in a hard water zone then this may be a common occurrence.
- Too much detergent – If you’ve put too much detergent in the dishwasher this could also lead to spots and cloudy glassware. It’s recommended to use 2 teaspoons to 3 tablespoons of detergent, depending on the amount of soil on your dishes.
If neither of these are causing the spots then it’s time to call in a plumber or possibly replace your dishwasher with a new one.
10. You Notice A Leak Or Water On The Floor By The Dishwasher
If you notice a pool of water sitting on the floor by your dishwasher after a completed cycle – well – it’s not supposed to be there. This is a sign that something has gone very wrong with your dishwasher and it either needs to be fixed or replaced.
11. You See A Crack Or Two In Your Dishwasher Tub
Any cracks in your dishwasher’s interior tub is a very strong indication that it’s time to replace your diswasher. The truth is, depending on how old your dishwasher is – it may just be less expensive to buy a new one than to replace that tub.
Because if there is a crack there – it may be that there are other major problems in the appliance as well.
12. It’s Not Energy Efficient
We all know that technology is advancing at a faster rate then it ever has before. As a result, it seems that our appliances and tools are almost outdated as soon as we bring them home!
So, if your diswasher is 10 years or older – you can certainly place a strong bet on the fact that it’s not going to be as energy efficient as the newer models. Upgrading to a new Energy Star model has tons of benefits! It uses less water each cycle for better cleanliness; they’re quieter too so no worries about disturbing any neighbors during dinner time. You’ll even save money on utility bills with such energy efficiency in place – all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that are required when using electricity or natural gas.
What Is The Average Life Of A Dishwasher?
The average life of a dishwasher is about 10 years. If you’re not sure how old your dishwasher is, check the serial number on the back. Most appliances are stamped with their date code during manufacturing and this will tell you if it’s time to replace your dishwasher or not.
Is It Worth Repairing A 10 Year Old Dishwasher?
If you are a homeowner with a 10 year old dishwasher, the answer to this question may not be as clear cut as it seems.
The cost of repair for your dishwasher will vary depending on what is wrong with it and how costly the parts are and how much time it will take for a repairman to fix it. The average cost of repairing an older model dishwasher ranges from $150 – $250 plus labor charges which can range anywhere from $100 – $400. If you have to replace one or more major components such as the motor, heating element, pump, or control panel – all of that can easily add up to more than half of the price of buying a new unit outright!
With a little TLC, you can keep your dishwasher running for years to come. However, if it is time for the inevitable upgrade, it may just be time to bit the bullet and invest in a new dishwasher.
But if you do notice any of the signs that we mentioned above, do not ignore them. Problems with appliances don’t just go away – they do just tend to get worse.
If you’ve noticed any of these issues with your current appliance and would like help fixing them or replacing it altogether, give Atlantis Plumbing a call today at 770-505-8570. We have many years of combined experience in plumbing services and we offer 24/7 emergency service!