Dishwasher: Common Problems And Fixes

There’s nothing worse than having a dishwasher break down just when it seems you need it most. We often take for granted the important function that this key appliance plays in our life. We take it for granted that is, until it stops doing its job, forcing us to do it instead. And who wants to do dishes? So when you need a quick dishwasher fix, here are some tips to help you figure out whether you can fix it on your own, or whether an appliance repair is needed. Here’s a list of some common dishwasher problems and possible fixes:

My Dishwasher Is Not Draining

There are a number of reasons why your dishwasher may not be draining properly. The first thing you should do is run it for a second time. Sometimes it isn’t draining because it may have been stopped midway through the cleaning cycle. If you find that running the dishwasher for a second time hasn’t fixed the problem, then here are a few other troubleshooting measures you can take.

a) Did You Use The Proper Detergent? Sometimes we make the mistake of confusing dish soap with our regular dishwasher detergent, which can cause a drainage problem. Also, if your dishwasher is fairly new, it’s best to consult the owner’s manual to see if your model requires a specific type of detergent.

b) Have You Checked Your Garbage Disposal? Based on the design of your dishwasher, the hose is often hooked up to your garbage disposal, which is where your dishwasher drains through. If your garbage disposal has food in it, it may be the culprit of your dishwasher drainage issue. Run your garbage disposal and see if that fixes the problem. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, then there is likely an air gap next to your faucet. This will be a stainless steel cylinder that is installed to the drain hose. If this air gap is blocked, this may be the source of your drainage problem. Simply rotate the cylinder until it comes off and use a small brush to clean out the tube.

c) Have You Cleaned Your Filter? Yes, that’s right. Your dishwasher has a filter. At the bottom of your dishwasher, you will find a filter that can collect particles of food or debris that was left on your dishes when they were loaded. Remove the filter and rinse it under warm water to discharge anything that the filter has caught. Replace the filter and try running your dishwasher again.

My Dishwasher Is Not Cleaning Properly

If you’re finding that your dishes aren’t coming out as clean as they should, you may have to clean out the inside of your dishwasher. Over time, dirt, grease and grime can build up inside the walls of your dishwasher. We recommend that you pour 3 cups of vinegar on the floor of the dishwasher and run it on a full cycle while the dishwasher is empty. This does wonders to clean out any residual dirt. If that doesn’t work, here are some other questions to ask yourself.

a) Have You Cleaned Your Filter? Oftentimes, simply removing and cleaning your dishwasher’s filter will help your dishwasher operate better. Wash your filter under hot water, which should loosen and get rid of any dirt. Once you have cleaned it, replace the filter, ensuring that it’s securely in place and try running your dishes again through the cycle.

b) Is Your Detergent Dispenser Working? Sometimes, the dispenser isn’t working properly so that the soap isn’t actually reaching your dishes. This could explain why your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly. Is your dispenser completely open and free of detergent when the dishwashing cycle ends? If the dispenser hasn’t opened properly or there is soap remaining, this may be the source of your problem. Clean out the dispenser, reload the detergent and try running it again. If the same problem occurs, you may need to call a dishwasher repair technician.

c) How’s Your Water Pressure? Have you noticed a difference to the water pressure in your home recently? A change in water pressure can affect the performance of your dishwasher and washing machine. If this is the case, you may have to contact your local water supplier or a qualified appliance repair technician.

My Dishwasher Fills With Water When It Is Not Running

If you’re opening up your dishwasher to find a pool of water inside, it’s safe to say that your dishwasher is filling up even while your dishwasher is sitting idle. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your dishwasher has a leak. The most common explanation for your dishwasher filling with water when it is not running is that your drain hose may not be preventing the water from your sink from getting into your dishwasher. The hose may either be mispositioned or the valve connecting the drain hose may need to be replaced. When this happens, it’s best to call a certified appliance repair technician who can professionally assess and repair your dishwasher.

My Dishwasher Is Making Everything Cloudy

While this is a common dishwasher problem, it’s most likely caused by the use of hard water. When hard water is mixed with your dishwashing detergent, it tends to make the problem worse due to high phosphate content in the soap. The result is a cloudy film on your glassware. If you have recently switched to a different type of detergent, perhaps that’s the problem if the problem seems to be new. The good news is that the cloudy film is not necessarily permanent. Soaking your glasses in vinegar and hot water for 30 minutes should remove the residue when scrubbed after half an hour.

Why Is My Dishwasher Making A Grinding Noise

If you are hearing a grinding or loud noise coming from your dishwasher while it is running, you likely have a foreign object stuck inside your dishwasher. This could be even a small piece of hard food or something that broke during the wash cycle. If the grinding noise continues and it is not due to a foreign object, then you may need to replace the motor. For this job, you’re best to hire a professional. For reliable and expert dishwasher repair in Vancouver, call Electrafix .

Electrafix Can Help

When you call Electrafix for all your dishwasher and appliance repair needs, you’re guaranteed to get professional, trustworthy and top notch service. Our technicians will successfully diagnose and repair your broken appliance in a timely manner and with as little interruption or inconvenience as possible. We understand how frustrating it can be when one of your household appliances simply stops working in the way that we need it to. Electrafix provides quality dishwasher fixes and appliance repair services throughout the Vancouver and surrounding areas. We have experience with all makes and models so there isn’t a challenge too big or too small for our team. Call us with any questions. We’re certain that you will be glad that you did.