Dishwashers are some of the noisiest household equipment and could need some decent soundproofing. While they are indeed helpful in the home, they also need a good deal of maintenance to get them to last long. One of the regular changes you will have to make is to replace the insulation blanket, and you can read all about that below.
With the help of technology, there has been a massive upgrade from the old dishwashers that sounded like lawnmowers. Many modern brands have introduced noise dampening techniques that have significantly improved their products. If you are in the market for a new unit in your home, keep an eye out on the noise levels of the device just as you compare the price and durability. You can check this dishwasher insulation blanket review to learn about some of the best brands in the market.
Insulation can be installed in a unit, just as you can easily take out an old one and replace it with a fresh blanket. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind when searching for a dampening material.
Getting Started
If you are the handyman around the house, you should have no difficulties makes minor repairs to your dishwashing unit. There is no technicality involved, so if you can handle a wrench, you should be able to get it done.
To get started, you need a few tools and materials to make the process a lot easier. If you have a toolbox, you can find most of them in there. If not, you may want to visit your local hardware store. Below is a list of the things you should get beforehand
- Screwdrivers for loosening screws in the device
- Pipe wrench for taking care of the water pipes
- Pliers to assist with the screwdrivers
- Plumbing glue
- Protective equipment (hand gloves, and facemask)
- You also need to get the appropriate insulation blanket for your dishwasher.
With all these available, the next step will be to begin the process of taking out the old blanket or putting in a new one. It is worth mentioning that you need to put a great deal of concern into choosing a suitable dampening agent for your household equipment. You can check this page https://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/13615/title/how-to-choose-the-best-insulation/viewall/true to learn more about selecting the best insulation blanket for home appliances. You should ensure that you get a sheet meant for dishwashers and avoid using insulation pads or foam mats. The thickness of the material could likely result in internal heating leading to more problems down the road.
Choosing an Insulation Material
Okay, so, you need to get a blanket, but what exactly should you look out for when in the market for one? Modern brands come with fiberglass insulation designed to prevent heating of the inside components. This fiberglass is cut to size to fit the dimensions of the unit. Finding replacement fiberglass from the manufacture can be quite a hassle and expensive. Below are three essential factors to look into to find the perfect material for your dishwasher.
Blanket Material
There are a few good options available for you to choose from, and you can expect them to differ from one another in terms of insulation and pricing. For dishwashers, most people go for foam, fiberglass, and felt fabric. But you may want to consider a more heat friendly and dampening material like the ceramic fibers. They are equally great at keeping vibrations down to the barest minimum.
Blanket Size
Getting an over or undersize material could affect the efficiency of the insulation. So it is always best to go for the right size to avoid tucking things in or ruining the blanket. You may need to run a tape on your device to note the exact measurement to get it right.
Durability
Replacing dishwasher insulation may not be exciting, so you want to avoid doing this often. The only way to ensure this is to use high-quality material. While you may be tempted to want to spend less on replacement parts, it will be worth it to invest in a durable and efficient one.
Now that you know how best to find the right insulation material for your dishwasher let’s now discuss how you can get it installed.
Replacing a Dishwasher Insulation Blanket
I have broken the process into easy to follow steps so you can easily make regular dishwasher maintenance and replacements without any help. As soon as you are ready, you want to start by.
Cutting Off the Electricity Supply
Dishwashers are powered by an electric motor and need to be connected to an electricity supply for it to function. In the event of a repair, the first thing you should do is to unplug the wire from the power source. It is not enough to turn off the switch. Everything should be disconnected.
Get the Dishwasher Out
If your unit is hidden inside the countertop, you want to get it out before taking out the insulation. Find a way around your cabinetry using the screwdriver and take out the screws that fasten the unit to the furnishing. This part can be tricky, so it helps if you still have the guide that came with the product to use as a reference. You may need help getting the unit out safely, so it could be useful to have someone around.
Read Also: 8 Challenges in Remodeling a Kitchen
Take Out the Old Insulation
After safely extracting the dishwasher, the step is to take out the dampening materials without compromising the unit. You should use a plier to grip any cables and wires that may be in the way as you rip apart the foam or fiber. Be careful not to lose or damage the fasteners, as you will need them to reattach the new blanket when the time comes.
Fix in the New Blanket
The next step will be to attach the blanket to the device using the fasteners. As mentioned earlier, you want to ensure that the fabric runs through the device and avoid any entanglement. If you are lucky, you may find a guide on installing an insulation material attached to your preferred material.
Put Back the Dishwasher
Once you have successfully installed the blanket, the next step will be to put back the dishwasher in the cabinet. At the same time, you need to take care of all the plumbing that you took apart to extract the device. You can do this using the plumbing wrench and glue if the need arises.
Test the Device
It is best to test the device to confirm that the dampeners are efficient at keeping the noise and vibrations down. Plug back the cable and allow it to run for a few minutes to clear all doubts.
Final Note
A noisy unit could leave you with a headache each time you do the dishes. This page here shows some of the benefits of using insulation in a dishwasher. You can do a lot with a dampening mat or blanket to keep the noise and vibrations down. It pays to invest in a durable material that is also great at insulating home appliances. Avoid thin fabrics, and if you have to make use of foam, ensure it does not clog the device.
