Sensitive wiring and control switches can easily be dislodged or damaged by improperly opening compartments that are not intended for access by an untrained person, even if that person is handy or has watched a helpful YouTube video. In general, if making a repair involves opening anything other than a filter cover or a wash arm to physically clean, an appliance repair technician should handle it. Many contemporary dishwashers have a range of integrated electronics to control cycles, temperatures, and power, and some are even Bluetooth-enabled. Photo: There are a number of dishwasher issues that may require the attention of an appliance repair technician.
Air-drying the dishes can also reduce wear and tear, as the high heat from the element can cause materials to break down faster. Adjusting your water heater so that the water is very hot will also help break down particles before they have a chance to stick. In addition, you can reduce the amount of buildup by scraping the dishes thoroughly before loading (not prerinsing, just scraping well) and loading the machine as recommended by the manufacturer. Cleaning the filters and interior is a simple task that requires no special knowledge-just a careful reading of the owner’s manual. These buildups can cause foul odors and can force the pump on the dishwasher to work harder and wear out faster. Other bits are cast into the filters or are forced through the filters to lodge in low spots in the drain hoses. Some of it is sprayed against the interior walls of the dishwasher, where it can build up behind the door gasket and cause it to seal improperly or wear away. While the water and soap scours the debris off the dishes, it all has to go somewhere. You may be wondering why, and the answer is simple: Think, for a moment, about everything that’s on the plates and pots and pans you put in the dishwasher. First and foremost, basic maintenance will help a dishwasher work more smoothly for longer. There are some ways you can make your dishwasher last longer.Īside from choosing a quality dishwasher in the first place (which may not have been an option if your dishwasher was already in place when you purchased your home), there are steps you can take to prolong your dishwasher’s life. Dishwashers are available at a wide range of price points, and while you don’t need to buy one that has every one of the latest bells and whistles, choosing a high-quality machine with quality craftsmanship from a reliable manufacturer is a worthwhile investment and may save you money on repairs and earlier replacement down the road.
Of course, even with daily use, a high-quality dishwasher will last longer than a less-expensive model that has lower-quality parts. To extend the average life of dishwasher parts, use your dishwasher at regular intervals but not necessarily every day. On the other hand, once- or twice-daily uses will wear down the parts more quickly. How often do you use your dishwasher? Like any machine, a dishwasher needs to be run pretty regularly to keep all the parts in functional order, so if you’re hand-washing most days and only occasionally using the dishwasher, you may inadvertently be shortening its productive life. Photo: However, the life of a dishwasher depends on a number of factors, including frequency of use. There are many others, and some are within your control, so look at how you’re using and caring for your dishwasher. But these are just some of the conditions that can affect the lifespan of a dishwasher. Constant exposure to water can lead to corrosion, buildup of acidic food scraps and abrasive cleaners can wear on liners, and the fact that most owners don’t know much about dishwasher maintenance can hasten the dishwasher’s demise. If you do need a new one, you can start fresh and take steps to prolong your dishwasher’s life.ĭishwashers do a lot of dirty work, and over time they pay the price. Depending on the age of yours, it may be worth consulting a reliable appliance repair person before planning to replace the appliance. How long does a dishwasher last?Ī: In general, a dishwasher should last between 9 and 16 years. Our dishwasher recently began making an odd noise, and we are trying to decide whether to repair or replace it if it’s near the end of its lifespan it’s going to be expensive either way. Photo: Q: We recently bought a home with appliances that are about 8 years old.