8 Telltale Signs You Need a New Dishwasher

The first dishwasher was invented in 1850. Today, more than 100 years later, these appliances are efficient, environmentally friendly and better at washing dishes than we could ever hope to be.

But there comes a point when it's time to say goodbye to our old appliance and invest in a new dishwasher. Read on for 8 signs that it's time to start looking for best dishwasher sales.

1. Starting to Make Unusual Noises

All dishwashers make sounds as they go about their cycle. You can hear the water, the motor and the dishes moving around.

But, when your dishwasher starts to make odd sounds that aren't typical, it could mean its time for a new dishwasher.

Strange sounds could mean issues with the motor or pump. Replacing a dishwasher motor and pump is often more expensive than buying a new model when you factor in the labour cost of the technician.

Before you toss your old one out, check to see if the strange sounds are from a jam in the mechanical parts. If nothing is jammed or out of place, start shopping for a new dishwasher.

2. Water Leaking on the Floor

One of the problems with old dishwashers is that they begin to leak. It doesn't matter where a leak is coming from, water on the floor is a big problem.

Sometimes, the leak could be caused by plumbing under the sink and not the dishwasher itself. Keep in mind the age of the dishwasher and whether or not there have been any changes to the plumbing recently.

A plumber will be able to tell you if there is an easy fix. Often, it is best to replace your old dishwasher with a new one.

If your floor is damaged extensively, you may need to replace the flooring. Check out these 9 kitchen flooring ideas you need to see.

3. Cracks in the Interior of the Dishwasher

As dishwashers age, they begin to show wear and tear in the form of cracks. Often these cracks show up on the interior tub of the dishwasher.

Cracks or deep scratches could be caused by a sharp object such as a knife that moved during the wash cycle. Or they could be the result of regular wear and tear.

Cracks in the dishwasher will inevitably lead to leaks. Your best bet is to disconnect the water supply to the dishwasher and decide whether to repair or replace the appliance.

4. The Dishes Are Not Hot After a Cycle

No matter what type of cycle you select on your dishwasher, the dishes should be hot right after the cycle finishes.

If your dishes are not hot at the end of your cycle but you have hot water, likely your heating coil is not working. It may be time for a new dishwasher if this is the case. Remember that without sufficient heat, your dishes will not be sanitized.

The FDA suggests that dishwasher water reaches 171 degrees F. This is the temperature that ensures that bacteria on plates and cutlery is killed. You don't want to risk getting sick from dishes that were not sanitized.

5. Water Stays at Bottom of Dishwasher

There shouldn't be a pool of standing water on the inside of your dishwasher after the cycle finishes. If you do, your dishwasher drain may be clogged.

Sometimes this is an easy fix if there is food causing a blockage. Refer to your owner's manual to learn how to empty the drain.

But, if there is no block in your drain, there may be an issue with the drain itself. A plumber will be able to tell you if it is worth repairing or it is better to replace the appliance with a new dishwasher.

6. You Find Rust Under the Dishwasher

If you ever pull out your dishwasher to do a good clean, look for rust. Or if you don't ever pull out your appliances, take a paper towel and wipe under the dishwasher as far as you can reach.

If your towel comes out with flakes of rust, then your dishwasher has a leak and water is ending up where it doesn't belong. Also, check for rust on the inside of the appliance.

This is one of the biggest hints that it's time for a new dishwasher. Before you toss it out, do some investigative work to ensure there really is a leak.

First, check to see if any of your metal bakeware went through the dishwasher recently and has some rust. You can get the rust off the inside of your dishwasher by running an empty dishwasher with citric acid.

If you see any parts on the inside of the appliance that have rust or look corroded, it is likely time to look up dishwasher sales.

7. The Door Doesn't Latch

If the door latch on your dishwasher doesn't lock, you won't be able to use the dishwasher. Who knew that a small part could cause such a big problem?

If the door is not properly latched, the appliance will not operate. This is a safety feature to prevent water leaks.

Even though it is a small part, it may be more trouble than it is worth to replace the part. First of all, if the door doesn't latch due to warping, a new latch won't fix the issue. In this case, you would need to replace the entire door or inner plastic frame.

Plus, if your dishwasher is an old model, it may be difficult to source the part you need.

8. It is Not Energy Efficient

If your dishwasher is older than 10 years, it is probably not energy efficient. Your water-chugging dishwasher could be adding dollar after dollar to your utility bill each month.

Especially if you know that the only way to get your dishes clean is to pre-wash them with hot water first. Doing the dishwasher's work is actually costing you more than 22,000 litres (6,000 gallons) of water each year.

The top-rated dishwashers on the market right now use as little as 2.4 gallons of water per cycle. Look for dishwashers that have an energy star rating so you can rest assured that your new dishwasher is as efficient as possible.

Signs You Need a New Dishwasher

We hope you found these 8 telltale signs that you need a new dishwasher helpful. Remember, a new dishwasher can often pay for itself in energy savings after a short period of time.

What do you need to go with that new dishwasher? A remodelled kitchen, of course! Check out these 8 signs its time for a kitchen remodel.