How to Avoid a Water Damage Disaster Involving the Dishwasher

Michael & Son Water and Mold has been serving Hyattsville for over thirty years, and the company provides water damage restoration along with a wide array of home services, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. When the Michael and Son technicians arrive on the scene to address a water damage disaster, they bring a support team that can meet and overcome any challenge. When a water damage disaster occurs that floods the entire kitchen, call Michael & Son Water and Mold.

The dishwasher makes life much easier and frees up time for more enjoyable activities. As far as home appliances go, the dishwasher is one of the most efficient appliances in the kitchen.

• Washing dishes by hand may use as much as 27 gallons of water per load. Running the hot water tap for two minutes while hand washing dishes uses as much as or more hot water than an energy-efficient automatic dishwasher.
• Standard ENERGY STAR-labeled dishwashers use 3.5 gallons or less per load as of 2013.
• The average family washes 215 loads per year, and with each load of dishes washed, the dishwasher has the opportunity to flood the kitchen. Thankfully, dishwashers are reliable and often give several warning signs of pending trouble before leakage or appliance failure occurs.
• To save water, always wash a full load of dishes and avoid pre-washing. Pre-washing wastes water and newer models of dishwashers can remove more food grime without the need for extra water.
• A residential dishwasher generates water temperatures between 110 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Highly efficient washing action and motors, as well as sensors that determine the water temperature needed to clean the dishes and the length of the wash cycle, have greatly reduced the dishwasher’s energy and water consumption. As a result, the dishwasher accounts for only about one percent of daily water consumption. 3,870 gallons of water are saved over the lifetime of the newest models.

Modern dishwashers have an average lifespan of around six to ten years, but the homeowner should not become complacent. The researchers at Consumer Reports warn, “Survey data from our members’ experiences with more than 70,000 dishwashers reveals that about 30 percent of all newly purchased dishwashers are likely to develop problems or break within the first five years.”

The tips listed below will extend the life of the dishwasher while preventing a water damage disaster.

1. Replace the door locking mechanism when it becomes loose or fails to lock the dishwasher door tightly.
2. Replace the door gasket when the first signs of leakage appear.
3. Regularly inspect the connections to the supply line and the drain.
4. Replace the water level sensor if there is any indication that it is malfunctioning.
5. Make sure the appliance is level.
6. Visually inspect the tub for cracks, and feel the bottom of the tub for cracks, splits, and holes.
7. Frequently look and feel for water on the floor at the front of the dishwasher.
8. If possible, inspect the flooring under the dishwasher for signs of moisture, mold, and rot.
9. Always use the correct type of dishwasher soap in an automatic dishwasher. Using standard dish detergent can create a foamy mess.
10. Schedule an appointment with a plumbing expert from Michael & Son Water and Mold at the first hint of a plumbing issue with the dishwasher.

When the dishwasher leaks or breaks, the best solution is to call in a water damage restoration expert to quickly extract the water, dry out damaged flooring, baseboards, and cabinets, and repair any structural damage so that life can return to normal.

A water damage disaster can create a hazardous environment for the homeowner, children, and pets if the water damage is not quickly, safely, and thoroughly mitigated. Here are six reasons to call in a professional water damage restoration company when water damage occurs in the home:

1. Gray water spills can be toxic.
2. Soapy water from the dishwasher can contribute to a slip-and-fall injury.
3. Electrical shock may be a hazard if large amounts of water are involved.
4. Extracting water that has seeped under the flooring requires special equipment and training.
5. Leaving the water damage unattended will lead to advanced secondary structural damage and possibly a mold infestation.
6. A quick response enables the homeowner to return to normal life and activities sooner rather than later.

Michael & Son Water and Mold is a home services company specializing in property damage restoration, electrical services, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and remodeling. The team’s wide-ranging expertise across the home services sector uniquely qualifies them to handle every aspect of property damage from the beginning to the end of the project. The company has been servicing the metropolitan area for over thirty years. Licensed, bonded, and insured, Michael & Son Water and Mold makes customer service the top priority.