One devasting breakdown of a household appliance can immediately transform your kitchen from a haven to a nightmare. Somehow, these unexpected events almost always occur at the most inopportune times. The dishwasher is one of the kitchen appliances that most homeowners depend on most. It can be very tempting to continue using the dishwasher even if you realize something is not quite right. So how do you know when it is time to get a new dishwasher instead of replacing your current one? Here are the top 5 signs that indicates you should replace your dishwasher.
Your Dishes Do Not Come Out Hot
Perhaps one of the most important elements in getting clean dishes is hot water. Whether you are washing by hand or using the dishwasher, the FDA states that a minimum temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is needed for proper sanitation. If you are taking out your dishes from the dishwasher in a timely fashion post-cycle and you realize they are not coming out steamy and toasty, there might be a problem with the heating coil. This is the part that gets your tap water extremely hot to sanitize the dishes. If this part is broken, it will most probably be very expensive to replace or fix. Hence, it may be worthwhile to invest in a new machine.
You See Rust
Every once in a while, you should use a paper towel or colored cloth to wipe the floor underneath the dishwasher. If you see that there is rust, it may be a sign of water leaking and entering places it should not be in. It also means that you may need to get a new unit earlier. If you notice rust inside the dishwasher, check if it is due to any of your dishes that happened to be in contact with the tub in the last cycle. If this is the cause, you should use citric acid to run an empty cycle and that should resolve the problem.
Door Latch Not Secure
If the door latch is not able to close securely or properly, the washer will not run. A simple repair could fix this problem, or it could also mean that the appliance has warped from leakage. In that case, you will need to get a replacement.
Does Not Drain Properly
If you notice there is a puddle of water below your dishwasher after a complete cycle, it is time to do some investigation. There could be an issue with the drain – either minor or major.
Firstly, check if there are any food particles or debris blocking the drain and restricting the water from filtering out when the cycle is completed. If there is nothing, perhaps there are cracks in the drain and you should replace your dishwasher.
It is Not Energy Efficient
If your dishwasher has been with you for more than 10 years, it is definitely time to upgrade to an Energy Star model. The machine will use much lesser water, clean more efficiently, and is much quieter than the current one you have.
