How Long Do Dishwashers Last?

Dishwashers are a wonderful modern technology, making rinsing and loading easy. With a push of a button, your dishes are clean in a matter of minutes. But we often forget that these machines have a limited number of years before they finally wear down. To find out your dishwasher’s life expectancy, read our easy guide below.

How Long Do Dishwashers Last?

Most dishwashers have a life expectancy of 10 years, and that’s just on average. However, they can last for up to 15 years if they are properly maintained. With careful consideration and repairs if things go wrong, you can even expect a 16-year lifetime.

There are several ways to know just how long your dishwasher will last. You may already know the age of your dishwasher and what the expected lifetime is, but you may have no idea if it has been properly maintained or cleaned. Below, we have detailed some common reasons for dishwasher longevity:

Quality Items

Not all dishwashers are equal in quality. Some are more durable, are better at cleaning, or save on energy costs. Buying from a brand-name manufacturer means you can be sure you’re getting quality products. Not only are higher-quality dishwashers more durable than most; they conserve more energy, and they are quieter than older models.

Maintenance

Maintaining your dishwasher is the best way to make sure it runs smoothly. Particularly, cleaning your dishwasher once a month prevents buildup, which makes it last longer than one that remains unclean. Cleaning your dishwasher on a monthly basis can also prevent mold, saving you from bad smells, health complications, and contaminated dishes.

How Frequently You Use It 

This one goes without saying. Frequent use means frequent wear, and machines are unfortunately no exception. If you are running your dishwasher more than a couple times a week, you will need repairs more frequently and may be decreasing the lifetime of your machine.

Should You Fix Your Dishwasher?

Repairs are often necessary for our machinery, but you may be reluctant to sink hundreds into multiple repairs, especially if your dishwasher may be showing its age. Sometimes a full replacement seems like the cheaper option. New options, while expensive, save you more money by conserving more energy and water. They are also more efficient when it comes to dishwashing itself. If you are struggling to decide on a repairman’s fix or a complete replacement, here’s what you can do:

Know How Old Your Washer Is

If your machine is pushing eight years old, you may want to start thinking of replacing it entirely. This is because, with expansion on technology and newer models being marketed yearly, repairmen struggle to repair older appliance models. They also can have extra costs, as older appliance parts become unusable due to lack of demand. Additionally, older parts can be harder to find, therefore making a replacement the cheaper option.

Consider the Type of Repair

Not everybody wants to repair their washer from the inside out. In these cases, you can typically find small, cheap parts that can replace the originals. These are usually reserved for parts that are easily fixed and integral to the dishwasher’s system. These parts include soap dispensers, door latches, gaskets, pressure switches, fill valves, and even drain pumps.

Consider Repair Costs

Keeping a budget in mind with repairs is essential to making sure you’re spending your money wisely. You can easily consider your repair costs by comparing your repairs to those of a replacement washer. If you find that more than 50 percent of your budget exceeds a brand-new appliance, then it’s time to consider a new investment. This will help you save, too, because throwing money at an aging dishwasher adds up.

Knowing When It’s Time for a Replacement

You should keep an eye out for the first signs of damage and age to your dishwasher. It helps give you more time to plan a new investment or repair, sort a budget, and decide what brand you want to go with. Here are some of the common warning signs to keep track of:

Dirtied Dishes

If they aren’t thoroughly cleaned, check the soap dispenser and see if it hasn’t been opened. Additionally, the spray arm may be malfunctioning. If these aren’t the issue, a replacement is needed.

Abnormal Noises

Sometimes, you may get strange sounds coming from the motors or faulty pumps from within the dishwasher. You can repair both the motor and pump, as these are smaller in size than other internal parts. Otherwise, replace the whole washer.

Water Leaks

If you keep seeing puddles on the floor after a cycle, it could just be a damaged door gasket. However, the leaks can sometimes be from cracks in the dishwasher itself. If this is the problem, you need an entire replacement.

Draining Issues

If water is still on the bottom of the washer floor after a cycle, then this could be the end of its lifespan. Replace the washer, since a whole repair is costly and can waste time and effort. This is because an ending lifespan signifies an older model of washer.

Broken Door Latches

You can easily repair a broken door latch.  Door latch replacements are cheap and easy to install, whether that’s by yourself or through a professional repairman. However, the problem can sometimes be due to damage to the whole dishwasher. Consult with your manufacturer or a repairman if you are unsure where the problem lies. If the whole dishwasher is compromised, you should just invest in a new model.

Rusty interior

Cracks are also at fault for this, but rust can cause leaks, compromising the whole machine. Rust also indicates severe issues with the plumbing within the dishwasher, water flow, and draining efficiency. If the matter is serious, you will need to replace your dishwasher entirely.