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Dishwashers do not Last Forever

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

     Nothing lasts forever, and certainly “durable” appliances like dishwashers, disposals and microwaves have a limited life expectancy. Most home warranty companies will not cover house-hold appliances that are over 10 years of age as they are deemed to be at the end of their serviceable life.
    I often run into dishwashers that very old and still functioning, however, the racks are badly rusted. As home inspectors, we are to look at items of function. Is the item performing its intended duty? So is it our job to report this as a defect or just normal wear and tear?   
    My take is normal wear and tear that can be expected due to normal use. However; I do make a note in the comments section as an item to monitor and that the dishwasher is at the end of its serviceable life. Budget for eventual age replacement. Damaged or non-functioning racks, rollers or other components other issues which should be addressed by licensed professionals.

And that my friends, is my 2¢’s worth for the morning.

TeamCHI ~ The Complete Home Inspections Team

Our inspection is your protection.

Call 615.661.0297 to schedule

or go online @ chi-tn.com

Posted by

Complete Home Inspections, Brentwood TN 615.661.0297
 

Comments(24)

Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, nothing lasts forever.  I'll probably need to get a new one in a couple of years.

May 09, 2016 09:04 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Michael.  And, it seems that the newer appliances have only about half the life expectancy as compared to the older ones.

May 09, 2016 09:17 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning  Michael,

I'm with Gabe Sanders it really seems like the newer appliances life expectancy is a lot less than the old appliances. Nothing lasts forever but the newer appliances don't seem to be built as well as the older models.

May 09, 2016 09:36 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I know many inspectors that dont even look at appliances...good for you!

May 10, 2016 12:22 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Michael Thornton Like you I note it and that it older. 

May 10, 2016 12:36 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc. ,  I have seen some pretty sad dishwashers myself.  Thanks for the information.

May 10, 2016 07:05 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Michael that seems to me like a good way to handle this issue.

May 10, 2016 07:54 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Michael.  Planned obsolescence is nasty.

May 10, 2016 08:00 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Michael,

 The dishwasher was the 1st thing to go in our home, mind you we bought a new home it barely made the year, we had ARS come out they wanted $400 to fix it and I laughed I told them I could get a new one for less and I did.

May 10, 2016 08:08 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Michael

Your post is right on point appliances have a life expectancy.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 10, 2016 01:03 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Michael great post and needless to say the newer appliances life expectancy is shorter than the old ones ....give me a 15 year old Wolf or any other top of the line brand vs a brand new Top of the Line brand...Endre

May 10, 2016 04:47 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Michael ...

Intersting post and I haven't used a dishwasher in 30 years, is that wrong? 

May 11, 2016 07:11 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Michael

I hate it when the dishwasher brakes about a week after closing

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 11, 2016 10:22 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Michael

With the cost to repair a dishwasher buying a new one seem to the better choice.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 12, 2016 12:47 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

are you okay? you seem quiet recently

May 12, 2016 11:04 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

They aren't building these appliances to last very long at all. Many of our rentals units have had to have dishwashers replaced at 4-6 years. It is almost cheaper to buy new than pay for parts and the labor bills. 

May 13, 2016 07:44 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Michael

Looking forward to having you back on the Rain.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 13, 2016 12:46 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Michael

Have a great weekend.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 21, 2016 12:52 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I wish my DW would die soon.  I have hated it from the start and now it's about 11 years old and still doing a mediocre job. Frigidaire. Ugh.

May 29, 2016 01:43 PM
Julius Schoenherr
J. Schoenherr Const. Co., Inc. - Daytona Beach, FL
Building Contractor - Daytona Beach Area

The life expectancy of appliances seems to be getting shorter and shorter all of the time. 

Oct 31, 2018 01:21 PM