4 signs it's time to replace your dishwasher
The dishwasher is an unsung kitchen hero – you load it, leave it and then take out lovely clean dishes. No rubber gloves, no sink full of soap suds. But all that hard work means your dishwasher is prone to a little burn out.
Here are 4 tell-tale signs that you need to invest in a new dishwasher.
1. The door doesn’t close properly
This is an obvious one, but make sure there isn’t a spoon or saucepan handle in the way before jumping to conclusions. If it still won’t close, it might be a simple case of the latch not working – which is a fairly quick fix.
2. The drain is blocked
If you’re left with pools of water in the bottom of your dishwasher after a cycle, it's likely there's a drainage issue.
Check whether bits of food or stray utensils are blocking the drain – if it’s clear, there might be a bigger problem that needs repair.
Worst-case scenario, your machine has warped. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about this - but you’ll need a new dishwasher sharpish. The warping will likely have caused a leak, and you don’t want to come home to a kitchen swimming pool.
3. Your dishes are left cold
Your dishwasher uses a heating element to wash your dishes in a hot water cycle. If the element is broken, your dishwasher will carry on with the cycle – but with cold water. Not ideal for a hygienic clean!
Watch out for stone-cold dishes after a cycle has finished, or wet dishes even after you’ve used the drying function.
Replacing the heating element can be expensive, so if that is the problem, it might be cheaper to buy a new dishwasher.
4. You've spotted a leak
The most obvious sign of a leak is a puddle of dishwater on the floor, but some leaks aren’t as easy to spot. If your dishwasher has a slow leak you probably won’t notice until it’s too late – next thing you know, you’re hit with an expensive flooring repair.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Flecks of rust – either inside or on the floor around your dishwasher.
- A crack on the inside of the dishwasher – you’ve sprung a leak.
- Water on the floor – check if the door seals need replacing.
- Next-door cupboards and cabinets have water damage – the leak may be hidden from view.
Some leaks are an easy fix, but others can be expensive – especially if the water damages your floor and cupboards. Having a quick look under the kickboard every couple of months means you could spot a leak early.
