I am definitely not a handyman kind of person, in fact, if I am supposed to fix something, you can guarantee it ends up more broken than when I started. However, when I bought my first home a few years back, I quickly figured out that if I did not maintain my house and its contents, then it costs a lot more to replace than repair things. My blog is all about taking care of your home appliances. Fridges, washing machines and dishwashers all make our life a lot easier, but if you don't maintain, they don't work forever. So, read my posts and learn not only about appliance maintenance but also signs to watch out for that indicate your home appliance needs professional attention.
Your dishwasher is a marvel of convenience — until the moment that it fails to work properly. Whilst you might be able to get along without a dishwasher, nobody really wishes to do so. Fortunately, you won't have to wash dishes by hand if you can identify dishwasher problem signs. Here are three common signs of dishwasher problems, and some quick fixes to try for each.
If the Wash Cycle Completes But the Dishes Aren't Clean
If the dishes look exactly the same as they did before the wash cycle, there are a couple of potential reasons. The first thing to do is to check dish placement, making sure that all dishes are positioned in such a way that the water can reach them. Run the dishes through one more cycle to see if repositioning solves the issue. If it doesn't, it could be an issue like a clogged sprayer or a clogged filter. Generally, the problem can be easily corrected with the help of your appliance services contractor.
If There's Flooding Around the Dishwasher
If you've noticed water on the floor around the dishwasher — especially if there's flooding — it may be due to overloading. Try another wash cycle with the dishwasher conservatively loaded to see if that corrects the issue. If the flooding persists, there's a good chance that the seal around the dishwasher door is worn or cracked. Your appliance services contractor can fix this problem in only minutes.
If You Notice Loud Noises
Whilst it's normal for dishwashers to make some type of noise, it should be relatively muted and unobtrusive. If you notice an increase in noise level — especially loud clattering, groaning, or mechanical noises — it's time to investigate. When clattering noises are the issue, it may be nothing more than dishes banging together. Next time you load the dishwasher, make sure to leave extra space between dishes to determine whether that was the issue. If the noises persist — especially if the noises sound mechanical — contact your appliance services contractor for help. The problem may be something as minor as a single valve or as serious as motor failure.
In the three cases above, the odds are quite good that your dishwasher can be fixed easily — especially when you call on your appliance services contractor straight away. With a bit of luck (and the help of an expert) you'll be able to avoid washing dishes by hand forever!