Kitchen Help: What Happens When a Major Appliance Stops Working?

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Exploring Causes And Options When Your Dishwasher Starts Leaking

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A wet splash is the last sound you want to hear when you walk past your dishwasher. If you weren't wearing shoes, it is also isn't an enjoyable way to discover your dishwasher has a leak. Regardless of how little or how much water you just stepped in, it is best to stop using the dishwasher until you can determine what is causing the leak.

Is It Time To Replace Your Dishwasher?

The average lifespan of a dishwasher ranges between 7 and 12 years. Cost, maintenance, care, and brand are a few of the factors that impact how long your dishwasher will last. While the last thing you want is to spend money on a new dishwasher, you do need to stop and ask how long you've had your dishwasher. If your dishwasher is anywhere close to being 7 years or older, it may be time to consider a replacement instead of trying to repair whatever is causing the leak.

Does The Puddle In Front Of The Dishwasher Soapy?

The first thing you need to determine is whether or not the puddle of water leaking from your dishwasher contains soap. If it does, there may not actually be anything wrong with the dishwasher. Fortunately, you are just not operating it properly. Chances are pretty good you are making one of two mistakes:

Mistake Number One: You are using too much dishwasher detergent. Filling up your dishwasher with too much soap can cause it to overflow and leak out onto the floor.

Mistake Number Two: You are using cheap dishwasher detergent. The unfortunate truth is there is such a thing as being too cheap when it comes to your dishwasher detergent. If the dishwasher detergent does not dissolve completely, it can cause it to overflow onto the floor. If you are someone who goes for the cheapest dishwashing soap on the shelf when you go to the store, it may be time to consider an alternative.

Has The Door Seal Worn Out?

As your dishwasher ages, the door seal will lose its leak-resistant feature. Fortunately, you can just remove the door seal and replace it with a new one. When you notice a puddle on the floor, check to see if the seal on the door is also wet. If the seal was properly doing its job, you wouldn't feel any moisture on it.

It is also possible the water inlet valve, motor, door gasket, float assembly, or arm assembly could be malfunctioning and causing the leak. After making certain you are not causing the leak by using the appliance incorrectly and the seal is in proper working order, it is time to call in an expert to check the other mechanisms of the dishwasher to find the problem. To find out more, speak with a business like Appliance Technology.


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