5 Dishwasher Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

The machine that washes your dishes automatically can sometimes break down! If it does, you’ll want to be able to check basic common problems with dishwashers before you take further action. This article will guide you through some dishwasher maintenance tips to help you out.

1. 1.

   When It Won’t Start. The first thing you need to do here is check the power supply by testing the fuses in both the plug behind the machine, and the spur on top. Look at the cable and make sure that the trip switch hasn’t been activated. Then check that the door is closed properly as for safety reasons and to prevent flooding the machine won’t operate if the door isn’t secure. Finally check that the water hasn’t been turned off for any reason.

2. 2.

   When It's Unable To Drain. Dishwashers not draining can be related to many parts of the machine. You’ll need to have a look at the drain hose to make sure it’s not bent, blocked or damaged in some way. Then there’s the blocked drain scenario, or blockages occurring in the sump strainer or filter. If your dishwasher hose goes into an appliance trap investigate the end to ensure there’s been no cut off. Odd sounding noises infer a pump related issue. Remember you can avoid a clogging of the filter system by cleaning at least once a week.

3. 3.

   When It’s Not Washing Properly. There are many possible failures here from blocked spray arms to faulty main recirculation motors, so make your initial checks for low water pressure, clean strainers and filters, and basic dishwasher stacking. You may find that the water in your area is too hard to get a good wash without adjusting the machine setting accordingly. Regularly add approved detergent rinse aids and after care solutions to prevent spots and smears. White streaks on glasses can be surface corrosion; you can avoid this by using low temperature or crystal cycles. General poor cleaning can be due to low quality or old detergent, or from using the wrong dosage. Make sure you always load the dishwasher properly to allow the water to circulate, and prevent lime scale and grease build-up by using recommended products.

4. 4.

   When It's Noisy. When the machine is noisy there are several things to check including the spray arms and mounts, the drain pump, and the main recirculation motor. If the pump or the impeller housing are blocked, you may be able to tackle these jobs yourself. If the pump is faulty it may need replacing.

5. 5.

   When It's Flashing Error Codes. This is the machine letting you know that something isn’t quite right! Unfortunately without a resolution you may not be able to fix this problem yourself. Codes vary from machine to machine, so read the handbook and if all else fails get in touch with an expert.

   When You Just Can’t Fix It

   Even when you think you’ve found the problem, you still may not have the tools or the skills to make the repairs yourself. That’s when you need the help of the professionals! A highly rated appliance repair service will give you a free quote alongside a guarantee for any work carried out.