Of all the appliances in your kitchen your dishwasher is often the most disappointing. Unless you have a new top of the line model you probably have the dishwasher that came with the house. Generally speaking leaves are serviceable machines but no Phoenix's. When a dishwasher is functioning properly it can save you a great deal of time and effort. Generally however, dishwashers seem to fail in their one and only task. After a long session of washing the dishes you open up the washer only to find that the dishes are by no means clean. What causes this?
One reason for dishes to come out of the dishwasher dirty is that the water that is being used to clean them is itself dirty. If your water is high in mineral content and you do not have a salt water filter then your dishes may be caked in a white powdery substance. These are harmless minerals found in the water being pumped to your home but it is not aesthetically pleasing. This can be cured by the purchase and installation of a saltwater filter system.
Dishwashers also have an unfortunate habit of overflowing, though this is usually due to human error. In a vain attempt to make your dishwasher perform the function for which it was intended you may put too much soap in it. After a very short while the dishwasher will start to foam up and the soap will escape, usually onto the kitchen floor. If not dealt with quickly this can lead to long-term water damage. Sometimes doing things the old-fashioned way, washing dishes by hand, is the right way to go.
One of the greatest potential sources of water damage in your home is a washing machine. Most people use them at least once a day sometimes more and when they stop working they can often start leaking. It's recommended that you replace your washing machine every 5 to 7 years though most people hang on to them for longer. A new model washing machine, with regular maintenance, can last quite a long time but for those older models it may be time to get rid of it. The parts begin to wear down and the pipes leading to and from the washing machine start erode to breakdown. Oftentimes the parts required to fix the washing machine cost nearly as much as a new one.
Another great way to prevent potential water damages to listen to what your washing machine is telling you. If you notice the parts are starting to wear down and something is not acting like it should it may be time to either replace apart or replace the unit. The possible damage from even a very small leak on a washing machine that is run every day can lead to gallons of water seeping out. Another thing to avoid is frequently moving the washer. If you are constantly moving it back and forth putting stress on the pipes leading from it to the wall they may start to crack.
An excellent way of preventing the pipes connected your washing machine from breaking down is to replace them with braided steel supply lines these are much less likely to fail over time. The key to preventing water damage when it comes to washing machine is constant vigilance.
