How can you tell if your dishwasher needs to be replaced? Is it just a matter of spotty cups, greasy dishes or flatware with food still on them? Nope. It’s also not only when there’s a giant puddle of water on your floor. There are all sorts of signs that your dishwasher might give off when it’s nearing the end of its usefulness. Here are 7 signs our technicians look for when coming to check out your dishwasher. 

If It Overfills or Underfills During a Cycle

If your dishwasher is underfilling during the wash cycle, it means that not all of them are getting cleaned properly. If, on the other hand, it overfills repeatedly, you have to worry about there being a leak somewhere. Either way, having a water imbalance means trouble is brewing. 

The Inside Is Looking A Little Red 

That leak we talked about in the last section? It can cause rusting. This means that the integrity of the metal is now in question. If you have a speck here or there on the outside, it’s not the end of the world. If you see it on the inside though? That’s a clear sign that the coating of your dishwasher is flaking away and exposing the metal underneath. 

The flip side to this is that you might just have some rusted pots and pans. If you run a cycle on empty with some citric acid. Doing that makes it easier to tell which of the two you’re dealing with. 

Water Will Not Pump Into The Dishwasher 

Your dishwasher has a sensor that connects to the computer that runs it. This sensor lets the computer know when to pump water in and when to pump it out. If that sensor is damaged or dirty, stuck or broken, it can’t work properly. If the pump is the problem, it needs to be replaced. Important note: Don’t try and run a dishwasher that can’t pump water! The dishwasher can all too easily overheat and destroy any chance of it functioning again. 

It’s Starting To Make Unusual Noises

Some noises are normal. We run our dishwashers regularly, and it eventually fades into the background. You have dishes that are being jostled and moved around, not to mention copious amounts of water. It all sort of blends together. 

If, on the other hand, your dishwasher is clanking, banging, or whining, something is off. It can mean that something is stuck in one of the mechanisms. Or it might mean that the motor is going. If it’s the former, it won’t be terribly difficult to fix. If it’s the latter, you’re better off getting an entirely new dishwasher. 

Your Dishes Are Spotty Or Dirty  

Let’s be honest for a minute. This one is tricky. Spotty or dirty dishes are just as likely to be due to operator error as they are to be due to the dishwasher. So go through and make sure that you’re doing everything you can to help your dishwasher and then come back.

If you’ve already tried everything, it means that something is malfunctioning. 

Water Pools After Your Run It 

No, we’re not talking about the small amount of water that collects on a bowl or a mug. Nor that your plastic plates are still wet. We’re talking about if you open your dishwasher, and there is still half an inch (or more) of water standing in the bottom.  

Most of the time, it means that a bit of food or dirt has clogged the drain. Easy to fix and easier to prevent. 

If, however, that’s not what’s going on, you might have an issue with the drain, which can all too easily mean you need a new dishwasher. 

Things Are Heating Up… Or Not? 

The FDA  recommends that your dishes are washed in a machine that can maintain water at a temperature” of 171°F. It’s not just that the water reaches that temperature once, it that it has to be able to maintain it over the wash cycle. If your dishwasher isn’t managing that, it means that your dishes aren’t as clean or sanitary as they need to be for your health. 

It Isn’t Energy Efficient

This one isn’t the same as the others on the list. Your dishwasher might be running perfectly, and it still isn’t necessarily energy-efficient. Many older models (in the range of ten years older or more) can be costing you hundreds in both water and electricity. In that case, consider replacing it. Doing so, especially if you live in a city, can save you on your water and energy bills. 

Takeaways

If any of these 7 signs show up when you’re dealing with your dishwasher, it might be time to call in a repairman or look at how soon you can get a new one. After all, what’s worse than having a malfunctioning dishwasher? Having a broken one that’s spewing water all over your kitchen. 

What are some of your dishwasher horror stories? Feel free to comment here or on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!