What should I check for before turning on an OLD dish washer for the first time? [solved]
We recently purchased a house with a REALLY old dishwasher. The inspection report says that it "appears to be in working condition" but I'm paranoid of having a plumbing mess if we start using it. What should I check for before turning it on? Water line condition? Subfloor condition?
-M
Check the water line connections. I would open the bottom access panel, and watch for any leaks while you run it the first time. Often the parts used are not of the greatest quality, including the solenoid valve that controls the water.
On that note, make sure there is a manual shut-off valve, so you can turn it off quickly if there is a leak.
Beyond that, just make sure you run it through a cycle to ensure it's clean.
Check the rubber seal around the door. It may well have deteriorated to the point where it's unable to provide a proper seal and needs replaced.
If that seal dry/cracked this is probably the case. Or if you run the dishwasher, watch for water leaking from where the bottom of the door meets the main unit.
Find a water shut off valve for it and know where it is in case you need to use it (even if the only one that will work on the dishwasher is a main shut off for the whole house). Then turn it on and look everywhere around it for leaks. :)
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