How Long Do Dishwashers Last

happy housewife sitting near the dishwasher with clean dishes on the kitchen at home

Just like with anything, your household appliances have an average life expectancy. This is tacked onto them once they are pushed out of the manufacturing factory. That, of course, includes your kitchen’s dishwasher.

Whether you’re dealing with high-end or cheaper models, there are a few things that can either lengthen that lifespan or shorten it. To get the most out of your investment, though, it is good to have an average idea of how long your dishwasher could potentially last.

In this article, we will be taking a look at that as well as looking at some dos and don’ts when it comes to this integral kitchen appliance.

Average Lifespan Of Dishwashers

There are several brands of dishwashers, and each one of them will have a multitude of models. Every model will have different components. They can be crafted in different materials, so the life expectancies of dishwashers can be extended. Overall though, you can look for a dishwasher to last about 10 years.

For those that are looking for a broader range, typically, most common dishwashers will perform their duties for between 8 to 15 years. This, of course, can only happen if you take care of it with the proper repairs done by a professional service.

There are also several factors other than the consistent maintenance upkeep that could affect the longevity of your dishwasher. Here are a few of those:

How much do you use your dishwasher? The more you use something, the more wear and tear it will have on it. This will lead to a shortened lifespan for the dishwasher. But it also could potentially lead to higher repair costs.

How well was your dishwasher made? Like with any other product, there are always those with a higher quality design than others. So if your dishwasher reliability is affected because of the quality of the build, you may find that the life expectancy of that dishwasher is decreased.

Common Warning Signs You Need A New Dishwasher

Whether you’re dealing with a residential dishwasher or a commercial dishwasher, you can watch for signs that will signal that the dishwasher is ready to meet its end. However, before you immediately move to replace your dishwasher, you may want to reach out to repair technicians. They may have dishwasher maintenance advice to help solve the problem you are dealing with. If repair is not on the cards, then you can move on to replacing your dishwasher.

Here are some of the telltale signs of replacing your dishwasher to look out for when it comes to being able to tell if you need a new dishwasher.

Dirty dishes

If your dishwasher leaves your dishes with food residue all over them, several different issues could be causing this. Before you decide to replace your dishwasher, check the soap dispenser and the spray arm to ensure they are working properly. These two features not working properly could lead to a decrease in wash performance.

Cracks in the dishwasher body

Having cracks in the dishwasher body can lead to more intensive leaks and rust. If this occurs, you might find that you have a problem with your water flow or even your dishwasher drain system. This will require you to replace the entire machine.

Broken door latch

If you notice that your door latch is broken, this may be a simple repair. There are latch replacements available to fix that broken latch. Typically, this happens after the dishwasher has warped, in which case you may opt to purchase a new dishwasher.

Lack of water

For those who notice that their dishwasher does not have the proper amount of water or no water during the wash cycle, it is definitely time to look for a new model.

Water leaks

If you walk into the kitchen and find yourself stepping in a puddle of water, you may be dealing with something that can be repaired. This could be something like a faulty door gasket. However, if the leaks are coming from cracks in the broken dishwasher body, it is definitely time to replace them.

Unusual noises

Hearing unusual noises from your dishwasher can be a definite sign that it either needs to be replaced or has some maintenance done on it. Typically if you hear noises coming from your dishwasher that weren’t there before, you might be dealing with faulty pumps or even motors.

Water not heating up

Even if you’re getting the right amount of water, if the water is not hot enough, the dishwasher cycles will not be able to do the proper job. If you’re dealing with this issue, it could be because of the heating element. It can be repaired but may end up being less costly to just replace the dishwasher.

Water spots

If, after a trip through a dishwasher cycle, your dishes are still coming out with water spots, you may have a faulty spray arm. Of course, it would be a good rule of thumb to check and make sure you’re not using the wrong soap first and then decide if you need to replace your dishwasher.

Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Dishwasher

Keeping an eye out for those telltale signs of your dishwasher coming to the end of its life cycle is important. But there are stopgap measures you can do to extend the life of your dishwasher. Here are a couple of tips that we think could help you with this issue.

You will want to make sure you scrape those plates well. Not all dishwashers require you to do a pre-rinse. However, they definitely work better if there is no major food that can clog your dishwasher food trap. This can end up damaging your drain pumps and clogging your drain hose. In addition, it can create more wear and tear on your dishwasher.

From time to time, you want to remove the bottom rack and make sure that you clean out the filter by hand. No matter how much you scrape food off, there will always be some caked on. This, in turn, can find its way into holes and create issues for your dishwasher filter which will then affect your pump and motor.

Make sure you clean your door and the main body of the dishwasher regularly. Ensure dirt and grime don’t build up and affect the overall sealing of the unit.

Every now and then, make sure you check out the spray arms. Do a thorough cleaning and make sure you remove any food debris. This will ensure that your dishwasher operates at the highest level of performance.

Most dishwasher racks come with a plastic coating that helps preserve them. But this coating will erode through wear and tear. However, this could create a situation where your dishwasher just stops working altogether. This is because small rusty pieces of metal may fall off and get into your pump.

Make sure that you are not putting too many dirty dishes in one mode. The more dishes that are in there, the less freedom the water will have to spray, and the cleaning cycle will not be as thorough. This may cause you to run the dishwasher more than once, putting extra wear and tear on all parts.

Technician Replacing Old Dishwasher

FAQs

When Should You Replace Your Dishwasher?

You should replace your dishwasher when you notice any of the signs above that are unable to be fixed through hiring a repair technician if any of those signs are visible. For instance, if your water is not heating up and you figure out that it has to do with your heating coil, it may be time to start looking for a new dishwasher. If your dishwasher has reached its life expectancy of 10 years, it may be time to replace it.

Can You Make a Dishwasher Last Longer?

You can definitely make your dishwasher last longer by doing certain things. Ensure that you do a good scraping of your plates or upkeep on your maintenance tasks. For instance, ensure you clean out all the caked food debris in the dishwasher filters or on the spray arms. The spray arms are especially important because this helps ensure that the pressure switches appropriately during the wash cycles.

Can You Fix a Dishwasher Yourself?

There are definitely aspects of the dishwasher that you can fix yourself. Issues like a broken door latch can easily be replaced by the owner. However, if the issue is more serious and entails getting into the intricate parts of the dishwasher, it is a better rule of thumb to go ahead and hire a professional.

How To Make Your Dishwasher Last?

To make your dishwasher last longer, you want to ensure that you are using the right types of soaps. You must also ensure not to overfill when you set up a load of dishes. Along with this, you can maintain a consistent maintenance schedule. This includes a thorough cleaning to ensure no food residue is left in your dishwasher.

Which Brand Of Dishwasher Is The Most Reliable?

One of the most reliable dishwasher brands is Bosch. They design high-quality dishwashers that are energy-efficient, durable, and easy to use. Consumer reports show that this brand has a reduced chance of breaking down during its first five years than most other brands. Also on this list are brands such as Thermador and Whirlpool, who performed really well in dishwasher reliability.

Final Thoughts

So the answer to how long a dishwasher can last depends on how it is treated. The average life expectancy of a dishwasher, though, is usually about 10 years. However, if you take care of it and follow some of the advice above, you may be able to extend that.

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