New: Checklist for Inspecting Dishwashers

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dishwasher

Here’s a new checklist for inspecting dishwashers during a home inspection.

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For those inspectors who exceed the standards to provide a dishwasher inspection, here’s an inspection checklist for inspecting a dishwasher in the kitchen during a home inspection.

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An addition is:

  1. Remove the kickplate and inspect under the dishwasher for installation and operation issues.

There are various issues that can be found there such as the following but not all inclusive.

  • Improper wiring to the dishwasher.
  • Signs of leakage and potential damage to cabinet bases.
  • Signs of mold growth due to prior leakage.
  • Loose or missing drain hose clamps.
  • Improper water line connections.
  • Damage to various visible components.
  • Leveling with pieces of debris instead of adjusting the leveling feet.

I’ve found all of these issues and more just by removing the kickplate. I find issues under close to if not 20% of dishwashers and that includes on brand new construction as well. BTW I mostly do new construction (99%) and if they can’t get it right there why should an Inspector expect it to be done right at an existing home?

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Added #24 to the list. Thanks, @escanlan.

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NEW inspection checklist for bathrooms just published.

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Well worded, Ben. The Check List is well worth downloading and saving on you PC drive for repeat education for dishwashers.

I use to inspect dishwashers, and other appliances, but stopped after a couple of years, when the overall enormity of a home inspection truly kicked in.

You know what they say about home inspectors exceeding their SoP or Standards of Practice? They take on additional unneeded liability.

When/If observing dishwashers, and they are not part of the buildings structure, systems or components, I do not take on additional unneeded liability.
What I do to circumvent this is, I ask the client to ask the seller or realtor to operate the dishwasher and inform me afterwards so I can see if there were any negative conditions to add to my findings and report them thereafter.

Thanks for your astute thread and string, Ben!
You’re The Best!