A dishwasher is one of those household conveniences you probably take for granted—until something goes wrong with it. While many problems with this appliance are simple to solve yourself, some require help from a plumber. Here are a few of the most common dishwasher issues and how to handle them.

Typical Dishwasher Problems

1. Leaking Water

A leaky dishwasher can cause serious damage to your home, so it’s important to find the cause and take care of the problem before it gets worse. Examine the drainage hose and door gasket for cracks, and replace them if they look damaged or brittle. Dishwasher leaks can also be caused by a float switch that’s stuck in the down position, causing the appliance to overfill. Remove any debris that might be keeping the switch down.

2. Doesn’t Drain

If you open your dishwasher after a cleaning cycle and find standing water inside, check for clogs in the screen and drainage areas. If they’re clear, the issue is probably an obstruction somewhere in the plumbing between the appliance and the main kitchen drain. If you don’t mind some elbow grease, try disconnecting the water line and running a drain snake through the pipe. If this still doesn’t resolve the problem, call a plumber.

3. Poor Cleaning

When your dishes are still dirty after a wash cycle, the trouble is probably due to the spray arms. The arms might have low water pressure, a stray utensil could be preventing them from spinning freely, or their jets may be clogged. Hard water can leave a residue on your dishes, so try using a water softener to make them come out cleaner. Inadequate water levels can also keep your dishwasher from cleaning properly.

4. Doesn’t Fill With Water

A dishwasher that won’t fill may have a clogged or faulty water inlet valve, or the float switch may be stuck in the up position, causing the appliance to think the water level is already high. A malfunctioning door switch could also be the culprit, as the dishwasher won’t fill if it senses the door isn’t closed. If the problem is in the water supply line, contact a plumber for professional help.

5. Unpleasant Odor

If there’s a bad smell coming from your dishwasher, look for old food or grease that may be trapped in the strainer screen, in the sprayer arm jets, or along the edge of the door. Get in the habit of cleaning out these areas regularly, and always scrape food debris from dishes into the trash can or garbage disposal before loading the dishwasher. Freshen your machine with disinfectant or a product made especially for cleaning dishwashers.

 

All American Plumbing provides residential and commercial plumbing services throughout the Concord, NC, area. Whether you need a routine plumbing inspection or an emergency plumber for a burst pipe, their experienced team is ready to help. For a free estimate, call (704) 788-8690 or contact them online.