Does being on well water have any effect on dishwashers? I have had to buy new ones almost every 2-3 years. All have been different brands. They all seem to have the same problem, the panel or the brain. I had a brand new one put in one year ago from February. Now it is happening again, This is a Maytag. Others were Frigidare, Whirlpool, and other different brands. All last about the same time and have the same problems; they just quit working. The lights will go on for just a second, then it shuts down. Please help me! Thank you.
By Cindy
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My family was on well water in South East Alabama for nearly 20 years-this is what I learned over the years on well water:
Well water is pumped out of the underground water source (sometimes an underground river, sometimes a spring, and sometimes an aquifer-like reservoir that refills over time), and because it's underground, the pumping action brings up a lot of particles that are of course very tiny, so not all filters catch all particles...
The filter on the pump to the house needs to be checked regularly-once a month at least. You're looking for grit, sand, and other particles that can clog the filter into the house.
Unfortunately, there are then even smaller smaller particles that get past the pump filter to literally 'eat away' the workings of your dishwasher, and to a lesser degree your clothes washer (and the ice maker on your fridge if so equipped).
The microscopic particles in the blasting water of a dishwasher, and the agitating action of a clothes washer 'scour' your dishes and clothes, AND the inner workings of the machines-in effect over time (and it can be a really short period, like 2 or three years) the scouring kills your machines. Shreds your clothes, and takes the gleam right off your crockery, too, of course. And if you have an ice maker it will kill the ice maker over time, too. (Slow fill, no fill, ice 'flakey' in drinks...)
Both machines, dish and clothes washers, have filters at the inlet sites, on the dishwasher this will be where it feeds from the kitchen plumbing (usually but not always, some homes now have a dedicated line just for the dishwasher) and on the clothes washer from where the line feeds from the dedicated lines for the clothes washer. Again, you're looking for particles, like sand. But you're also looking for a kind of a 'gunk' that may be a combination of fine particulates and mineral build-up (see below for more on minerals).
At least twice a year you should check those dish and clothes washing machine filters for build-up, more often if you find a lot of 'gunk'. If you have an ice maker fed from your well water, you'll need to check that filter a lot more often too. We finally spent around $30 for a micro-filter for each inlet line, that stopped A LOT of gunk from making it into the machine innards
Checking those filters to keep them clear, and finally replacing with the micro-filter, meant instead of replacing the washers every 2-5 years, we actually got 10-15 out of the machines.
**About minerals in well water. Minerals in water are generally a good thing for you (drinking and cooking) but not so good for household appliances, ice making ('flakey' bits floating around in your drink) and bathing your body and hair. So you'll want to check the County Extension office or your local water board to find out what minerals are in your local well water, and take appropriate steps to prevent mineral build-up from killing your machines, and wrecking your hair. (There are some great shampoos in the US for people who live on well water, try Sally's Beauty for good ones)
I hope this helps:)
What you left out is very important - that well water does not have the pressure of City water.
The Dishwasher designers have figured out - they can save a lot of money by not installing a pump for high pressure wash.
You nay believe that your Dishwasher appears to have water forcing adequetly but it is the water pressure from City water.
I almost purchased the Samsung waterfall unit - when I happened upon a site (I guess there was a lot of returns) advising 'this unit will not work with WELL WATER HOMES.
It would be nice IF the advertising and testers would report IF the uniys [still] have a water pump within instead of emphasizing it being quiet. Washing dishes is its primary function - after all.
Where are the filters in the appliances? I've had 2 dishwashers die and clothes getting destroyed in the washing machine. Thank you!
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