Dishwasher Repair vs. Replacement: When is it time to invest in

fridge, but it’s still an annoying inconvenience. Afterward, there’s the question of whether to replace it or face the difficulties of having it fixed.

Using our interactive calculator, you can determine if it’s preferable to buy a new dishwasher or to pay a professional to fix your dishwasher. We’ll also cover how to repair your dishwasher without hiring a professional, how to dispose of it properly when it’s time to replace it, and how to choose a long-lasting replacement below.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Dishwasher?

Based on the most recent information from CR’s unique member surveys and depreciation rates particular to each product, we offer guidance. The age of the product, the cost of repairs, and the price of purchasing a new one are also considered.

Things to Examine

The data usually points toward dishwasher replacement. They depreciate in value more quickly than you might think, and expert repairs can get rather pricey. Approximately $122, is the median repair cost according to our polls of over 125,000 CR members.

The tool offers some broad recommendations, but it is not the last word on what you should do. Even if it means spending more, you can always think about getting your dishwasher fixed if you’d rather not throw it in the trash. (After all, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, major appliances produced 5.3 million tons of waste in 2018, of which 2.1 million tons were disposed of in landfills.) Additionally, it’s not always simple to locate a replacement that you genuinely desire. Even if the aforementioned tool recommends a replacement, you may still choose to have it repaired in that scenario.

A DIY vs. a Pro Hire

Let’s say your dishwasher is still functional, but not as functional as you remember it being. Sometimes all your dishwasher needs to get back in working order is a little minor maintenance.

For instance, a blocked filter or food and mineral accumulation elsewhere in the appliance could be the only cause of a decline in your dishwasher’s cleaning ability. There is no need for technologies to solve those simple tasks. Melbourne Dishwasher Repairs offer lots of guidance on maintaining the optimal operation of your dishwasher.

If the issue appears to be more complicated, start by seeing if you qualify for free treatment under your product warranty (which is typically valid for the first year of ownership), or possibly under a class-action settlement or product recall.

Why Model Number is Important

Identifying the model number of your dishwasher is the first step. It is typically printed on a sticker located along the dishwasher door’s side, and it is almost always a string of characters and numbers that appear to be random. Once you add that to a Google search along with the terms “warranty” or “recall,” you ought to find the information you require.

If your appliance is still covered under warranty, you should usually contact the manufacturer directly to file a claim. If your dishwasher was purchased from one of those vendors, get in touch with them first because some appliance dealers have in-house service teams.

If you aren’t eligible for free assistance, attempt to identify the issue with your dishwasher on your own. You might discover that fixing it yourself is not that hard, or at least you’ll have an idea of how expensive and time-consuming the repair might be.

A diagnostic mode is available on many appliances. For instance, a number of LG and Samsung appliances, including dishwashers, have a simple self-diagnosis function that may provide troubleshooting guidelines to a smartphone app.

Most brands offer a diagnostic mode designed for repair experts alone, but you may usually click a timed button to access it yourself. Enter the brand and model number of your dishwasher together with the term “diagnostic mode” to search for it on Google or YouTube. Your search results will often show the posts that are the most trustworthy at the top.

You can also find some helpful hints in the troubleshooting section of most dishwashing product manuals and brand websites. Though some are more helpful than others, customer service may be able to direct you to an online video or useful website, or they may be able to assist you over the phone or through an online chat.

In the event that the issue is resolved, doing it yourself will most likely result in bigger financial savings. Repair Clinic is a great place to start because it has a ton of helpful videos approved by seasoned technicians and carries spare parts for a ton of dishwashers.

Choosing a Long-Lasting Dishwasher

You might try recycling your old dishwasher if you decide you need a new one after all. However, not all places have easy access to appliance recycling, and even in places where there is such a program, transporting your old machine to the recycling location may be difficult. When they deliver and install a new appliance, retailers frequently remove the old one, but it’s not always obvious what they do with the old one.

Finally, here’s a simplified, broad overview based on averages if you’re unsure about the cost of a repair or even how much you spent on your dishwasher. Generally speaking, more expensive dishwashers are worth fixing over an extended length of time because average repairs will cost less than the dishwasher’s overall value. Put another way, it is rarely financially advantageous to repair a low-end dishwasher for $140. It would be wiser for you to use the funds for a $500 new appliance. However, for a $1,000 dishwasher, it’s frequently worth spending over 10 years trying to fix a $140 problem.