Home Improvements
What Can Damage A Dishwasher

What Can Damage A Dishwasher

Dishwashers can last up to 10 years. But some actions and habits can lower or increase this number. If want to extend the life of your dishwasher, you should avoid things that can damage it. Find out what can damage your dishwasher so you can care for it in a better manner and avoid dishwasher repair.

Putting Dirty Dishes In The Dishwasher

A dishwasher is for cleaning dishes, so many people put dirty dishes in it which can clog different components of the dishwasher like spray arms, drain lines, and pump.

With the passage of time, the pump assembly will be clogged so much that the dishwasher won’t be cleaning the dishes properly so you’ll be getting dirty dishes after the dishwashing cycle, which can also cause health problems.

To avoid clogging the components of the dishwasher, rinse the dishes once or scape off the food from them before putting them in the dishwasher. By rinsing the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, you can save money on dishwasher repairs.

Overloading The Dishwasher

To ensure proper cleaning of the dishes, you should never load the dishwasher completely. Leave some room so the water is sprayed well into the dishes that are inside the dishwasher. When you overload the dishwasher with dishes, there are multiple drawbacks.

The instant disadvantage is that you may get fully clean dishes. Some dishes may be dirty and you need to rinse or clean them again. The other disadvantage is costly. Overfilling a dishwasher forces the machine to use its full power which can lead to the breakdown and failure of different parts. For instance, overloading a dishwasher can cause leakage.

So, make it a habit to leave room for one dish in the dishwasher and if the dishes are many, consider multiple cycles of dishwashing. Having said that, running small loads can also damage the dishwasher, so make sure it’s full but not overloaded.

Placing Non-Dishwasher-Safe Items In The Machine

A dishwasher cleans dishes quickly and safely, but there are many items you can’t put in the dishwasher as they can either get damaged or damage the machine.

Common items that should never go in the dishwasher:

  • Any type of knives
  • Wooden utensils and bowls
  • Cast iron cookware
  • Cutting boards and wood utensils
  • Copper items
  • Travel mugs
  • Takeout containers
  • Non-stick pans
  • Aluminum cookware
  • Painted or printed glassware

Ignoring The Replacement Of The Hoses

The inlet and outlet hoses require replacement every five years. The replacement is done to avoid calcium buildup. The process of replacing the dishwasher hoses is easy and you can do it yourself.

Make sure to get the right size so you don’t face leakage after the process. However, for best results, getting an expert to do it is suggested.

Using Hard Water

Hard water has high amounts of minerals in it. This not only makes it difficult to clean dishes, but it also forms a layer of minerals inside the dishwasher. These minerals can clog the components of the machine and cause problems. You can use many ways to soften water and avoid damage to your dishwasher.

Power Surges

Power surges are the enemy of all electric appliances in your home. A power surge can be due to any reason and it can severely damage your dishwasher.

A power surge can’t be stopped from happening so you should use a surge protector for your electric appliances and keep them safe from power surges. Furthermore, if you have some money to spare, consider a whole-house surge protection system.

Using Too Much Detergents

A detergent cleans your dishes so using it more will lead to sparkling clean dishes. This is the mindset of most people and they either use too much detergent in the dishwasher or don’t put much thought into the amount of soap they are putting in the dishwasher unconsciously putting too much of it in the machine.

Modern dishwashers are made to use less water. When more detergent is present, it isn’t cleaned properly off the dishes. Moreover, some of its residue builds up inside the machine causing clogs.

Conclusion

You can keep your dishwasher in optimum condition for more time if you avoid the above-mentioned things. Consider regular inspections by appliance repair Fairfax services and perform repairs or replacements as soon as possible.

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