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Do You Check the Dishwasher During Your Final Walk-Through?

By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

January 09, 2008 10:41 PM

While doing your final walk-through, do you or your clients check the dishwasher? This is one mechanical device that can cause some homeowners some unexpected grief or expense after the closing at escrow. Having completed over 2500 property inspections over the past 7 years, here are some tips:

Start the check of the dishwasher at the beginning of your walk-through. This will give you adequate time for the unit to run through a short cycle.
Open the door and lightly push down on it. The purpose of this test is to see if the unit has been properly secured within the enclosure. If the unit moves within the cabinet, it needs to be properly secured to prevent personal injury or damage to the unit. I am astounded as to the number of units that I find that have not been properly secured. It also tests the condition of the hinges. Weak or loose hinges can cause the unit to leak.
Check the condition of the seal. Worn or damaged seals will eventually leak if they are not already.
Check to see if the soap dispenser latches. Also check to see if the rinse-aid cap is present.
Check to see if there any leaks under the dishwasher or at the sides of the door seal.
Look to see if there is any rust on the dish baskets or inside the cabinetry. If the baskets are rusted, typically it will be cheaper to replace the unit. Generally, replacing just one basket can cost about half what a new unit would cost.
Run the unit through a short cycle. At the end of the cycle, open the door to make sure that the unit has drained. About 1 in 100 will not!

This posting and the continents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing Nashville home inspections for Brentwood and the Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment. This post is part of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, which is a social network highlighting the best of Web 2.0. Information and is provided with the intent of educating and assisting home owners, home sellers, home buyers and real estate investors with information they can use to make better real estate decisions.

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Kris Wales

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI

Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Michael, here we run the dishwasher during the home inspection and not at the final walk through, although doing it both times would be a good idea. Thanks for bringing this up.

Jan 09, 2008 10:43 PM

Gaye Granice

Robert Defalco Realty - Staten Island, NY

Associate Broker

Same here - we don't check it during the walk threw, its usually done at the home inspection

Jan 09, 2008 10:47 PM

Jackie Cross

Real Living All Florida Realty - Port St Lucie, FL

I for one feel it is just as important to run the hot water to be sure the hot water tank has not quit working. This comes from my own experience. When we had the home inspection done for our current home the hot water heater checked out as OK. But the day we moved in it quit working?????

While you can not check every item, if you are turnong on the dishwasher then go ahead and run the tap as well.

Jan 09, 2008 10:55 PM

Tricia Jumonville

Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX

Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

Here, too, the inspector runs the dishwasher during the inspection, and we don't at the final walkthrough. Of course, the inspection only certifies that things are working the day of the inspection - but they could die the day after closing, as well, due to that old phenomenon called "the innate perversity of inanimate objects". That's why I highly recommend that my buyers request, and my sellers offer, a Homeowner's Warranty, just to foil those crafty old inanimate objects.

Jan 09, 2008 11:54 PM

Joel Bennett

Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. - Columbia, MD

The Joel Bennett Group

This is always scary for a first time buyers. I try to make sure to get a home inspection but as perviously state it is only a snapshot of the mechanicals. The Home Warranty can be a life saver and offer a sense of security to all types of buyers.

Jan 10, 2008 12:12 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Around here some inspectors run them some don't---I do run them through a rinse cycle. Good Idea to look inside first and make sure it isn't doubling as a Pantry:)

Jan 10, 2008 01:05 AM

Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc

Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

Dishwashers usually don't leak, but when they do. it's a real mess. Make sure they work right, and watch for leaks.

Jan 16, 2008 10:33 PM