5 Signs It Is Time For A New Dishwasher

1. The Age of Your Dishwasher

The age of your dishwasher is a telling sign in itself. If yours is older than ten years, then it might be time to upgrade.

Many older models are just not efficient. So upgrading to a new dishwasher may save you money through a dramatic cut in your water and electric bills. Although the ten-year cut off mark is largely arbitrary, and very dependent on how well you clean and maintain the unit.

2. Water Remains After a Wash

You should never see standing water inside your dishwasher after the cycle has completed. Of course, it’s always possible to find a small amount of water that has collected inside a mug or bowl, and your plastic dishes may be wet. These are not uncommon.

What you should not see is a pool of water at the bottom of the dishwasher. This is a sign that the dishwasher drain is clogged. Oftentimes, there is small amount of food that has created a minor blockage. This is easy to fix, as well as prevent from happening.

If this is not the case, then you might have an issue with the drain that may require you to call a plumber, and possibly replace your entire dishwasher.

3. It’s Starting to Crack

Typically found in the interior tub of your dishwasher, cracks or major scratches are a pretty good sign that you should replace your dishwasher. These may be from general wear-and-tear or, more likely, because of damage form an item that was put through a wash cycle.

If you notice any cracks in your dishwasher, it is strongly recommended that you stop using the appliance. Turn off the water supply, if possible, and immediately look into repairing or replacing it before it leads to something much worse.

4. Water is Leaking on the Floor

Another telltale sign that you need to buy a new dishwasher is when it starts to leak water all over the floor. No matter where the water may be leaking from, you should never see water coming out of the unit.

If you do start to notice water around your dishwasher, make sure to handle it as soon as possible to avoid a much bigger problem. Turn off the water and immediately start to dry all surfaces. It would also be wise to use a dehumidifier or powerful fan to ensure that all moisture has been removed.

At this point, you should call a plumber to see if it’s the dishwasher or something else. It may be a simple fix, but in many cases, you’ll have to replace the appliance.

5. Starting to Make Unusual Noises

One of the most prevalent signs that your dishwasher is about to go out is when it starts to make a bunch of odd noises. This doesn’t include the typical noise of daily use, but anything unusual.

Generally, these are due to problems with the motor. If this is the case, then you may find that replacing or repairing the motor is more expensive than simply upgrading your machine to the newest model. However, it is always beneficial to check to see if the noises come from dishes hitting one another or something stuck in the mechanisms before deciding that replacing your dishwasher is necessary.