I love my dishwasher. It makes washing my dishes and pots easy. But lately, it’s started to develop some problems. This made me wonder, should I repair or replace my dishwasher?. I decided to do some research to help answer. Here’s what I found.
Before making this choice, there are a few things for you to consider. First, you’ll need to think about how old the device is. As a general rule, if the dishwasher is older than 10 years, it’s best to replace your dishwasher. You can also get out a repairman to examine the extent of the problem and give you a quote. If the cost to repair the dishwasher is less than half of the cost of a new one, you should repair your dishwasher.
There are plenty of variables that you’ll need to consider when deciding if it’s best to repair or replace a dishwasher. For example, how old is it? What’s the problem? How much will it cost to fix it? Let’s take a closer look at these issues, to give you a clear idea about what you should do.
What are the Most Common Dishwasher Problems?
Just because your dishwasher is having some problems doesn’t mean that you need to replace the unit. In many cases, the issue will have an innocuous solution, which can be solved quickly and easily. To give you a better indication of whether this is the case, let’s take a closer look at some of the most common problems and how they can be fixed.
First, you might find that the dishwasher is making some unpleasant smells. Often, this will be caused by an old filter. You’ll need to purchase and install a replacement. This will cost between $50 to $100.
Another common issue is that the dishes aren’t hot after a wash. This can indicate that they aren’t being cleaned properly. In this case, the issue can lie with the rinse aid dispenser. If it doesn’t open properly, the cleaning liquid won’t be released. You will need to replace the dispenser. Often, this will cost between $50 to $100.
If you think that the dishwasher is too loud, you might want to think about re-aligning the sprayer arm. You should be able to do this for around $75 to $100. It’s also possible that you will notice some white debris on the dishes. This will be caused by the trap screen, which can be replaced for around $75.
There might be a small amount of water leaking out around the door. This can sometimes indicate a serious problem. However, it’s a wise idea to check the pump seals. If these have cracked, they can be the cause of the issue. It will often cost between $75 to $100 to fix.
In other cases, the problem might be something so simple to fix that you don’t need to get any equipment. For example, you might not be rinsing your dishes off properly. It’s also possible that you might not be using the right type of detergent. This is most common in higher-end machines. Check that the filter is clean and the spray isn’t getting blocked off. Finally, the device might have tripped a breaker. Check all these simple fixes before you call in a professional. This will ensure that you don’t end up wasting money.
Though these simple changes might be enough to solve the problem, if you start to have more substantial issues, it’s a good idea to consult an expert. They will be able to do a thorough inspection to find out what could be contributing to the issue. It’s a good idea to call in a repairman to change these parts unless you are confident about performing the procedure yourself.
How Long Does a Dishwasher Usually Last?
When trying to decide whether or not you should replace your dishwasher it’s important to think about how old the device is. This will often determine how much it will cost to repair it.
As a general rule, a dishwasher will last for around 10 years. Because of this, if your dishwasher is over 10 years, it’s often best to replace it. It will be at the end of its lifecycle.
However, during those ten years, it’s likely that you will experience some issues with the dishwasher. Around 30 percent of people said that they had some issues with their dishwashers in their first five years. Generally, though, these will be minor concerns like the ones we described above. Because of this, it will be fairly easy for them to be solved.
What Are Some Signs That you Need a New Dishwasher?
As we mentioned earlier, there are plenty of minor issues that your dishwasher might develop. However, there’s also the potential that you might encounter more substantial problems. You must know some of the warning signs that you should be looking out for.
One of the most substantial problems is that the control board isn’t responding. This means that you won’t be able to control the settings. This can indicate an electrical issue. Another significant issue is that the spray arms aren’t turning around.
In some cases, you might notice that the machine is consistently failing in the middle of its cycle. This can be caused by a minor flaw. For example, the circuit breaker may have gone off. However, if you’ve eliminated the minor causes, it can be a major source of concern.
Finally, you might spot that the dishwasher is consistently washing your dishes incorrectly. They might still be dirty, even at the end of the cycle. If this is happening, it might be wise to start thinking about a replacement model.
When you start to spot these problems, you’ll need to call in a professional. They will be able to assess the problem and give you a diagnosis. This will let you know how serious the issue is and whether you’ll need to purchase a new device.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Dishwasher?
If you do need to repair your dishwasher, you’ll need to consider how much it will cost. This will give you a good idea of whether it’s an affordable expense, or if it’s cheaper to purchase a new dishwasher. There are a few factors that will influence how much it will cost to repair a dishwasher.
First, you’ll need to consider how significant the damage was. Often, this will mean calling a professional to examine the dishwasher for you. They will be able to pinpoint what the issue is. Some issues, like a bad rack, will be easy to fix. However, if it’s a structural issue, it will be harder to solve.
Once you’ve called in the repairman, ask them for a quote. Make sure that this includes the cost of labor and any associated call-out fees. This will allow you to start doing some calculations, finding out if it’s good value for money to replace the machine or not. As a general rule, if the repairs will be less than 50 percent of the cost associated with purchasing and installing a new machine, you should fix it. If not, it will be better to replace the device.
Depending on the part that is broken, you might expect to pay around $300 to $400 to repair it. At this price point, you should be able to purchase a new dishwasher to replace it. It might also be helpful to consider how long it will take for the repairman to fix the device. This is especially important if you use the dishwasher in the commercial setting and need to hire someone to wash the dishes.
You might also want to ask the repairman for their opinion on the general condition of the device. This will help determine how likely it will be to develop other issues in the future. If it’s too old, you might want to consider replacing it.
When considering the cost of replacing the machine, check the warranty. This is especially important for younger machines. If the dishwasher is still covered, it can be a great way of saving money. In this case, you’ll be able to contact the manufacturer and arrange for them to fix it for you.
If you are covered by warranty, the only costs you’ll need to pay are the call-out fees. They should take care of the parts and the labor costs. However, to claim on the warranty, the issue can’t have been caused by a lack of maintenance.
How Much Does a New Dishwasher Cost?
Once you have a rough idea of how much the repairs will cost, you can start looking at the cost of new dishwashers. In some cases, it will be cheaper to purchase a new dishwasher. Though this will depend on the type of model that you are interested in.
There are a few benefits that you’ll be able to gain by upgrading. For example, most new dishwashers will be designed to use less electricity and water. This can end up saving you money over the long term. They might also make less noise. In some cases, you might even be able to explore some new wash modes.
Broadly speaking, there are three categories of dishwashers on the market. First, you can have a more basic option. These are the cheapest. They tend to have basic racks. The control panel will be on the outside of the door. You might get two or three wash modes.
Then you have mid-range models. These will often have more flexible racks, to suit a wider range of items. They will also come with additional wash cycles, giving you more options when you are washing. However, they tend to have a slightly higher price point.
Finally, you have the luxury models. These are some of the most expensive models available. However, they are also the most high-tech. They are very quiet, have multiple rack settings. They feature a stainless steel exterior and have high-quality interior fittings. There are also plenty of washing options for you to explore.
The average prices in each of the three tiers are summarized in the table below.
| Price Tier | Average Price |
| Basic | $300 to $500 |
| Midrange | $500 to $1,000 |
| Luxury | $1,000 to $2,000 |
Generally, you’ll be able to get the device shipped to your location for free. However, this won’t always be the case. Before you purchase, double-check. It’s also worth checking out the returns policy and seeing if it comes with a warranty.
In addition to the costs of purchasing the device, you’ll also need to consider how much you’ll need to pay to have it installed. It will need to be plumbed in. It’s often best to choose a replacement that has the same dimensions as the existing model, to make the installation easier. Because of how complex this process is, it’s usually best to get a professional to install it for you. On average this will cost between $100 to $275.
How Can You Make Your Dishwasher Last Longer?
As we mentioned earlier, most dishwashers will last for around 10 years. However, there are some ways that you will be able to extend the life of the dishwasher. Often, spending a few hours each month taking care of your dishwasher can make a world of difference.
First, it’s a good idea to prepare your dishes before you put them into the dishwasher. This means trying to get rid of the solid items, like bones or gristle, from the plates. If you don’t, they might get stuck in the dishwasher, clogging it up.
It’s also essential to clean out the filter. This is where the other food, like grease, will get stuck. You’ll need to clean it out once a month, or when you start to notice that your food isn’t as clean as it usually is. Your instruction manual will contain more details about the right way to get the filters clean.
Inspect the spray arms every few months. These might become blocked up with food particles. Because of this, they will no longer perform the way you wanted them to. If you find that the spray is blocked, you’ll need to use a toothpick. This will unblock them. Be careful to avoid misshaping the hole by using too much pressure.
Try to avoid overloading the dishwasher. When this happens, it will be harder to get the dishes clean. As a result, you’ll often need to put it on again. The more often you run the machine, the quicker it will wear out. It’s also a good idea to avoid putting on partial loads.
Lastly, read through the instruction manual. This will help you get to know your machine better. Often, it will also tell you some of the maintenance activities that you should be performing to keep your dishwasher properly. If you ever have any problems, consulting the manual is a good place to start.
Final Thoughts
A dishwasher is one of the most important appliances in your house. When it develops a problem, and you risk having to clean all the dishes by hand, you’ll want to get it fixed as soon as possible. It’s best to repair it if you have a relatively new model that’s in fairly good condition. However, if it’s over 10 years old, you’ll often face other problems. Because of this, the repair bill might be bigger. In this case, you’ll often be better suited to replacing it with a newer model.