Are Spots on Dishes Caused by an Old Dishwasher or Hard Water?

Are you noticing a white, unsightly film on your dishes after you run them through the dishwasher? Does it seem as if you just can’t get your dishes sparkling clean unless you wash them by hand? If so, the problem might not be your dishwasher, it could be a hard water problem.

Hard water can leave soap deposits on the bathtub, it can lead to dull-looking laundry and it can leave annoying spots on your dishes. But, hard water does more than just have a cosmetic effect: scaly deposits can collect inside faucets, showerheads, and appliances, thereby restricting water flow.

Hard water can also reduce the efficiency of heating elements and shorten their service lives.

It May Be Time to Consider a Water Softener

If the idea of dull laundry, spotty dishes, and restricted water flow bothers you, you may want to consider installing a water softener, otherwise known as a “water conditioning system.” But, before you invest in a new system, we recommend that you check your water company’s water quality report.

If the water running through your home or business has more than seven grains per gallon of calcium or magnesium, then it is considered to be hard.

If you decide to install a water softener, check with your water supplier to find out if the state or your municipality has any restrictions over which type of softener you’re allowed to use.

Could the problem be an old dishwasher?

So, if you do have spotty dishes, the other question is whether the problem is an old dishwasher and NOT hard water.

The National Association of Home Builders conducted a study called the “Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components.” After researching the life expectancy of dishwashers, the study determined that the dishwashers have some of the shortest lifespans of all home appliances (9 years), followed by garbage disposals at 6 years.

The life expectancy of any major appliance has to do with how much use it gets. Of course, if you have a large family or if you tend to run the dishwasher at least once a day, you’ll be getting some serious miles out of your machine, and it may be time for a replacement.

For more plumbing advice, or to schedule a service call with a Kansas City plumber, don’t hesitate to contact A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. today!