Troubleshooting Common Dishwasher Problems
Dishwashers are a luxury that not everyone can afford, but if you have one, it makes washing dishes a whole lot easier. However, there are times when dishwashers are not as helpful as they should be. They break down, leaving you with a pile of dirty dishes.
If you’re struggling to get your dishwasher to work, check out these tips for troubleshooting common dishwasher problems.
Dishes Aren’t Coming Out Clean
Dirt and grime can build up on the sprayer arms in the bottom of your dishwasher over time. This can prevent water from reaching all areas of your dishes, leading to spots and streaks on your plates. To fix this problem, run a cycle without any dishes to flush away dirt and grime. Then wipe down the sprayer arms with a sponge or cloth dipped in vinegar until they’re clean.
Dishwasher Doesn’t Run
- It’s plugged into the wrong power source. If your dishwasher isn’t getting any power, it won’t work. So, make sure that it’s plugged into the right outlet, whether that’s a regular outlet or a dedicated circuit in your kitchen or laundry room.
- The water supply line is kinked or clogged. First, you’ll have to remove the drain hose from your sink and clean out any debris that might have accumulated. This can be done by using a pair of needle-nose pliers or another tool to pull out any blockage in the hose. Then reattach the hose to its fitting underneath your sink.
- The door latch is broken or sticking. If you can’t get your door closed all the way, try cleaning out any dirt that might prevent it from engaging correctly with its catch on the dishwasher door frame.
Dishwasher Doesn’t Fill
If you’ve recently noticed that your dishwasher won’t fill, it could indicate an issue with your inlet valve or float arm.
The most common reason for a broken float arm or inlet valve is simple wear and tear over time. Both parts are made from plastic, which means they can break if dropped on hard surfaces or handled roughly by children or pets. This type of damage will often lead to leaks and problems with filling and draining cycles.
Dishwasher Doesn’t Drain
The drain hose is the first thing to check when your dishwasher isn’t draining. If the hose has a kink or a hole, water can’t get out of the machine, and it’ll stay full of water.
If this doesn’t work and you have a dishwasher with an overflow tube, check to see if it is blocked. The overflow tube allows water to drain out when too much water is in the tub. If this tube is blocked by debris, use a pair of pliers to pull out any debris blocking it.
Dishwasher Smells Bad
Sometimes, no matter how well you clean your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher, the appliance can still leave behind a lingering stench.
This is mainly due to lack of hot water. A dishwasher needs hot water for sanitizing and cleaning.
Got a dishwasher problem? Call the plumbing professionals at JW Heating and Air.