The 6 Typical Signs that Point to Dishwasher Maintenance Needs
Quality dishwashers can make or break your ability to comfortably clean up after a long day in the kitchen, or a long week of piling up dishware. When your dishwasher begins to malfunction, however, it can be incredibly frustrating to determine whether repairs are needed, or if a simple fix is possible. To assist you, here are the six typical signs that point to your dishwasher needing professional maintenance:
1. The Dishwasher Will Not Turn On
The most common problem homeowners deal with is getting a malfunctioning dishwasher to start. When your dishwasher won’t turn on at all, it becomes utterly useless. That being said, the fix could end up being as simple as a blown fuse, or as complicated as a total mechanical breakdown. Getting a repairperson on site to evaluate the dishwasher will be necessary if a tripped breaker or some other quick fix does not get the job done. Putting in the right effort before calling a mechanic can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.
2. Water Fill Problems
Damaged circuitry and uneven wash cycles can cause your dishwasher to experience frustrating water fill problems. These problems are notoriously difficult to troubleshoot on your own, but they can be done. You’ll want to look into whether the water fill problems are due to a faulty float or float switch first. Then, you’ll want to assess whether you have a water inlet valve problem. Unless you’re familiar with these terms already, however, you should simply leave the professionals to expect your dishwasher. Otherwise, you risk accidentally making the problem much worse.
3. Loud Dishwasher Issues
Dishwashers are designed to be fairly quiet. After all, it’s incredibly frustrating to have to listen to the cycles change, and hear a constant whizzing noise in the background when you’re trying to do cleaning tasks. For that reason, consumers expect their dishwashers to be quiet. If your dishwasher is incredibly loud, or if you’ve noticed a significant increase in its operational volume, there is almost certainly something wrong with your dishwasher. The solution could be as simple as removing obstacles to your dishwasher’s spray arms, or as complex as expensive repairs.
4. Dishes Remain Dirty After Use
It’s never a good sign if your dishes remain dirty after a full cycle. If this happens, something in your dishwasher is not working as intended. In some cases, this problem can arise simply from using the wrong detergent, however. So try several different options before jumping to more troublesome conclusions. If this does not do the trick, you’ll need to call in a professional to figure out what’s going on. Many dishwasher repairs that deal with cleaning efficiency require a professional touch, so save yourself time and effort by making the effort to call in a repair person.
5. Visible Leaking Issues
A leaky dishwasher can cause all sorts of problems. The leaking water can cause floor damage, cabinet damage, pipe damage, mold buildup, and a whole host of other serious and frustrating issues. Whenever you notice that your dishwasher is leaking, even if the leakage is in a fairly minor state, you need to take immediate action to correct the problem. Doing so will save you tons of time, money, and frustration in the long run, after all. In most cases, leakage is caused by faulty pumps, bad pump seals, expired door seals, or a damaged drainage hose. Simply replacing these parts can sometimes do the trick, but if you keep having issues, you’ll need professional repair services to correct the problem.
6. Not Fully Draining Your Dishwasher
Improper drainage is another huge, common issue that dishwasher owners have to deal with. Oftentimes, this problem can arise in tandem with leakage issues. You need to ensure that your dishwasher’s self-service filters and other filter components are properly cleaned out and that they are not clogged. If you fail to do the occasional maintenance on your dishwasher in this regard, you will almost certainly run into problems down the line. Be careful when assessing this problem, as the spillage from a dishwasher that’s not properly draining can be incredibly foul and gross. With the right professional help, however, this problem is usually a quick and easy fix. In all cases, using quality water filters throughout your home is highly recommended.
Keep Your Dishwasher In Strong Working Condition
By watching out for these six problem signs, and regularly cleaning your dishwasher, you can make it last for decades. Be sure to do occasional unclogging and filter changes as well. Doing so will ensure that you do not have to pay repair people exuberant amounts of your hard-earned cash for fully preventable dishwasher issues.
